Your Guide to the Hilltop
Welcome to the Hilltop!
We are excited to welcome you to Worcester Academy and look forward to seeing you on campus this fall!
This page is designed to help you prepare for the start of the 2026–27 school year with important dates, orientation details, required forms, and helpful resources for new students and families.
To note, parents/guardians will continue using their existing Blackbaud/myHILLTOP login credentials to access parent resources and school information. You should use the same login information created during the admissions process.
Students will receive their Worcester Academy email address and login credentials from the Information Technology Office in mid-June. Students should first activate their Worcester Academy email account, as it is used to access myHILLTOP and other campus systems. Once activated, students can log into myHILLTOP to view schedules, assignments, grades, summer assignments, and other important school information.
If you need additional assistance at any point, please feel free to contact us at info@worcesteracademy.org, our collective email account for back to school communication.
Important Next Steps
| Submit Final Transcripts |
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| At the conclusion of your current school year, send your final official transcript to Worcester Academy. Here you will find the records request form to submit to your school. Transcripts should be submitted via e-mail to admission@worcesteracademy.org. This is a required step for enrollment, and we cannot finalize your schedule or complete your registration until it is received. We encourage you to follow up with your current school to ensure it is sent as soon as it becomes available. |
| Complete Health Forms |
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All students must complete health and medical forms through the Magnus Health portal prior to arrival to campus. Students who have not completed their forms will not be able to move into the residence halls, attend classes, or participate in co-curricular activities. Magnus is accessed through your myHILLTOP account under the Resources section. (As a reminder for parents/guardians, this is the same login as your Blackbaud Admission portal.) The process includes submitting medical history, emergency contacts, and all required documentation such as physicals or immunization records. Complete forms by July 1 to ensure clearance for the start of school. Until forms are submitted, you will receive reminder notifications. All emergency contact information and medication details must be completed and kept up to date in Magnus Health. This includes listing parent/guardian contacts, authorized emergency contacts, and any medications or health needs. Accurate information is critical to ensuring student safety and allowing our Health Services team to provide appropriate care if needed. Questions about Magnus Health should be directed to Kelly Rizy, Director of Health Services. |
| Meet with Associate Dean of Academics & Select Your Courses |
| All new Upper School students will meet individually with Colleen Wheaton, Associate Dean of Academics, to build their academic schedule. During this meeting, you will review your transcript, discuss your academic interests and goals, and learn more about graduation requirements and course offerings. Together, you will create a preliminary schedule and determine if any placement testing is needed. Meetings typically take 30–45 minutes and may be held via Zoom or on campus. Final schedules are released in August. |
| Complete Your Summer Reading & Assignments |
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Summer Reading: Summer reading is an important part of preparing for the academic year at Worcester Academy. Each Upper School grade level is assigned a shared text to read before the start of school. Students will reflect on and discuss these books during the fall through English classes and grade-level programming. Please read the book assigned to the grade you will enter in 2026–2027:
Summer Assignments: Students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses and certain Honors courses are expected to complete any assigned summer work before the first day of school. Be sure to check myHILLTOP for specific assignments and expectations for each course. |
| Purchase School Supplies |
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Textbooks: Textbook information will be available through the Worcester Academy bookstore in August. Once your schedule is finalized, you should review your course materials and purchase all required textbooks before the start of classes. Calculators: If your courses require a calculator, you will be able to purchase the recommended model through the Worcester Academy bookstore once it opens in August. |
| Indicate Your Interest in Fall Afternoon Activities |
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One of the hallmarks of the Worcester Academy experience is the wide range of opportunities available to students beyond the classroom. We are excited to share our new Afternoon Activities Guide, which introduces the many programs available after classes each day while explaining Worcester Academy's afternoon activity requirement. Whether students are interested in interscholastic athletics, instructional sports, the arts, robotics, community service, or clubs, there are countless ways to discover new interests, build friendships, and become an active member of the Hilltop community. We encourage you to explore the guide together as a family as you begin planning for the year ahead. As part of our preparations for the fall, we ask that all students complete the Fall Afternoon Activity Sign-Up Form. These selections are not binding. We understand that students' interests may evolve over the summer or once they arrive on campus, and there will be opportunities to change activities during the opening weeks of school as you work with your advisor to finalize your choices. Students will also attend our Clubs & Activities Fair early in the school year, where they can meet student leaders, explore the many clubs and organizations available, and sign up to participate. Your responses simply help us plan staffing, schedules, and program offerings so that everything is in place for a successful start to the school year. |
| Determine Transportation |
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Families should determine their transportation plans before the start of the school year, including whether students will drive to campus or utilize Worcester Academy’s bus service. Juniors and seniors who wish to drive to campus must review and adhere to Worcester Academy’s Automobile Policy, including completing the required registration process, receiving approval, and following all parking and vehicle use guidelines. Driving privileges are granted with the expectation of responsible and safe behavior. Worcester Academy offers several transportation options for day students, including morning bus routes from MetroWest communities and complimentary shuttle service to and from Worcester's Union Station for students commuting on the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line. Please review the 2026–2027 Transportation Information Sheet for details on bus routes, pickup locations, schedules, carpooling, and train shuttle service. Bus service is available for an annual fee of $2,000. To help us plan morning bus routes for the coming school year, we ask that families complete the Bus Transportation Interest Form if your student is interested in using the bus service. Completing the form does not commit you to riding the bus but helps us determine demand and plan routes accordingly. As the school year approaches, you will receive detailed information about campus access, drop-off locations, and parking procedures. Students who plan to park on campus must register their vehicle and obtain a parking pass. Families should review all campus safety guidelines to ensure a smooth and secure start to the year. |
Account Setup & Resources
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Arrival & Orientation Dates
As the start of the school year approaches, please review the important arrival, move-in, orientation, and preseason athletics dates below. These events are designed to help new students and families transition smoothly into life at Worcester Academy and prepare for a successful start to the year. Families are also encouraged to review the full 2026-2027 Academic Calendar for additional key dates, school breaks, and community events.
| July 24, 2026-International Student Zoom Orientation |
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| All new international student families are required to participate in our International Student Zoom Orientation on Friday, July 24 at 8:00 AM. During this session, you will meet members of our administration and student support teams, receive important information and announcements, review key school policies, and have the opportunity to ask questions. Please use this Zoom link to join the meeting. |
| August 30, 2026-Postgraduate Student Move-In & Orientation |
| Postgraduate students and their families will arrive on campus and move in on Sunday morning before beginning orientation activities later that day. Orientation is designed to help postgraduate students settle into life on the Hilltop, build connections within the community, and prepare for the year ahead. Questions should be directed to Wayne Bolden, Postgraduate Coordinator and Dean of the Graduating Class. |
| August 31, 2026-New Boarding Student Move-In & Residential Life Orientation |
| All new boarding students will arrive on campus and move in on Monday, August 31 between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Throughout the day, students will participate in Residential Life orientation activities designed to help them settle into campus life, meet fellow students, and become familiar with the routines, expectations, and resources that support life in the residence halls. Boarding parents and families will also attend an afternoon orientation session. |
| August 31, 2026-Preseason Fall Athletics |
| Preseason practices for fall athletics will begin on Monday afternoon for students participating in boys’ and girls’ soccer, football, field hockey, and volleyball. Additional details regarding schedules, required forms, and arrival information for student-athletes will be shared over the summer. |
| September 1, 2026-New Student Orientation |
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All new students, both day and boarding, will participate in New Student Orientation on Tuesday, September 1. Orientation will begin at 12:00 p.m. in Warner Theater before students spend the afternoon connecting with their assigned Worcester Academy Buddy and participating in activities designed to help them become familiar with campus, build relationships, and prepare for the start of the school year. Parents and families will also have opportunities throughout the afternoon to meet faculty, administrators, and current Worcester Academy parents while learning more about the student experience and community life on the Hilltop. A full orientation schedule will be shared with families as soon as it is finalized. |
Important Documents
People to Know
Residential Life Information
Our residential program is designed to support your academic success, personal growth, and sense of belonging within a close-knit boarding community. Throughout the summer, you will receive information from the Residence Life team about dorm expectations, community standards, and daily life on the Hilltop.
| Important Forms to Complete This Summer |
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Boarding Student Arrival Form: Boarding students must complete the Boarding Student Arrival Form to confirm travel plans and indicate whether transportation from the airport is needed. Worcester Academy offers shuttle service from Logan International Airport and Worcester Regional Airport on designated arrival days. Submission of this form by the deadline ensures that we can coordinate your arrival and welcome you to campus smoothly. Rooming Questionnaire: All new boarding students are required to complete the New Student Rooming Questionnaire by July 3 to help guide roommate assignments. The questionnaire gathers information about your daily routines, study habits, sleep preferences, and social style. Our goal is to create thoughtful and compatible roommate pairings, and your responses play an important role in that process. Room assignments will be shared in August. For those who do not have access to Google, please fill out the PDF versions of the forms and send them to zak.johnson@worcesteracademy.org. |
| Residential Calendar and School Breaks |
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Boarding students and families should review all key residential dates carefully, including move-in, orientation, school vacations, and long weekends. Dormitories open in late August, with specific arrival dates assigned for new students, returning students, and student leaders. Families are encouraged to reference the full 2026–2027 Academic Calendar for all important dates throughout the school year. Please note that during major school vacations, classes are not in session and the residence halls close, requiring students to leave campus. These breaks include Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break. Exact dates for each vacation period can be found on the school calendar and should be reviewed carefully when making travel plans. Worcester Academy also observes several long weekends throughout the year, including Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Patriots’ Day, and Memorial Day. While students do not have classes during these weekends, the residence halls remain open for boarding students. A homestay option will be available during Thanksgiving Vacation for international students who are not able to travel home. |
| What To Bring |
| The Boarding Student Packing List will help you prepare for life in the dorms. This list includes required items such as bedding, toiletries, and school supplies, as well as optional items to make your space more comfortable. All rooms are double occupancy, so students should plan accordingly and avoid overpacking. Reviewing the list in advance will help ensure you arrive prepared for move-in day. |
| Transportation |
| Worcester Academy offers transportation support for boarding students at the start and end of the school year and during school breaks. Shuttle service is available from Logan International Airport and Worcester Regional Airport on designated arrival days. To request transportation, students must indicate their plans on the Boarding Student Arrival Form by the stated deadline. Additional transportation information, including vacation travel expectations, will be shared over the summer. |
| Automobile Policy |
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Boarding students are not permitted to have cars on campus. |
| Mailing Address and Deliveries |
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Boarding students will receive a campus mailing address for packages and mail during the school year. Please use the following format for all deliveries: [Student Name] Additional information about package delivery, pickup, and mailroom procedures will be shared before the start of the school year. |
