Founded in 1826, Western Reserve Academy celebrates its Bicentennial in 2026. What sets WRA apart is our innovative approach to education, passionate faculty, and one-of-a-kind “sui generis” programming. We believe there is joy in learning, and that belief fuels everything we do. Our mission is to deliver an unrivaled educational experience — illuminated by tradition, sparked by innovation and energized by joy — so our students graduate ready to blaze trails in learning and in life. Conceived at our founding as "the Yale of the West," our original motto of "Lux et Veritas," or Light and Truth, guides an enduring spirit of discovery. At the Center of our 190-acre campus sits a 60 foot oak tree illuminated with 75,000 lights (more than the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree) as a symbol of our perennial "Forevergreen" nature. WRA students are 3 times more likely to earn admission to a top 25 college or university than the national average.
What Makes Us Unique
WRA offers top-quality academics (like a one-of-its-kind Cancer Immunology program) in a joyful, healthy, heartland atmosphere. Our abundantly resourced campus includes beautiful learning and living spaces, college-caliber athletics facilities, and a 6,000-square-foot makerspace equipped with every technological tool, that will grow by 16,000 square feet by summer 2027 to include cutting edge spaces for robotics, AI, ideation, creation and the arts. WRA students shine across disciplines — our Cancer Immunology students were the only high schoolers to present at the American Association of Immunologists’ national conference; one student ranked among the top 500 physics students in the U.S.; and others have earned top awards in Mock Trial, Model UN, Academic Challenge, National History Day, and international competitions in chess and aeromodeling. We invite you to see us from every angle in our videos that show spirit like no other school.
Campus Highlights
Athletics
24 sports
STEM Labs
Dedicated STEM Center
Campus
190 acres
Key Stats
Boarding64%
International21%
Students of Color44%
Founded1826
Campus Size190 acres
Nearby AirportsAkron-Canton Airport, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
Global Diversity
32 countries are represented at Western Reserve Academy.