The Williston Northampton School vs. Deerfield Academy
Should you attend The Williston Northampton School or Deerfield Academy? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
School Overview
School
Definition of Terms | 2025 School Data
The Williston Northampton School
(17)
19 Payson Avenue
Easthampton, MA 01027, United States of America
Easthampton, MA 01027, United States of America
Top Rankings
The Williston Northampton School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 307 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Offering Breadth
Student Test Scores
Deerfield Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 307 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
School Resources
School Resources
Selectivity
Offering Breadth
Offering Breadth
Student Test Scores
Student Test Scores
Student Test Scores
School History
Overview
Located on 125 acres in Western Massachusetts, Williston has a history dating back to 1841. Williston`s 420 students come from 30 countries and 25 U.S. states.
All Williston students take part in Williston`s Comprehensive Program for Academic and Social Success, known as COMPASS, which unifies our CORE Life and Leadership Program; our Williston Scholars program; our College Counselling program; and our Center for Academic Success (Academic Suport).
At the core of the Williston experience is our balance of academic excellence and support-students choose from 145 courses, and they utilize our Writing Center, our Math Center as well as more formalized academic support.
Additionally, Williston has a long history of athletic excellence, with over 35 percent of our graduating seniors going on to play at the college level in the last 5 years.
Deerfield Academy is an independent secondary school committed to high standards of scholarship, citizenship, and personal responsibility.
Through a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, extensive cocurricular program, and supportive residential environment, Deerfield encourages each student to develop an inquisitive and creative mind, sound body, and strong moral character.
Set in a historic village bounded by river, hills, and farms, Deerfield inspires reflection, study and play, abiding friendships, and a defining school spirit.
A vibrant, ethical community that embraces diversity, the Academy prepares students for leadership in a rapidly changing world that requires global understanding, environmental stewardship, and dedication to service.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12, PG
9-12, PG
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1841
1797
Campus Size
125 acres
330 acres
Students Body
Enrollment
400
653
% Students of Color
18%
32%
% International Students
24%
12%
% Students Boarding
70%
88%
Average SAT Score
1360
1400
Average ACT score
29
31
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
Yes
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Bi-Weekly
Weekly
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Formal
Average Class Size
13
12
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
6:1
# of AP/Advanced Courses Offered
29
40
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
No
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
75%
70%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Finances
Endowment Size
$60 million
$840 million
Tuition (Boarding Students)
$74,000
$70,900
Tuition (Day Students)
$51,000
$51,000
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$25,250
$53,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
$1
n/a
Admission
Application Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application
Yes
No
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Average Percentile SSAT
63
85
Acceptance Rate
33%
13%
Director of Admissions
Christopher J. Dietrich
Charles F. Davis, Jr.
Associate Director of Admissions
n/a
Gen Pitt
# of AP/Advanced Courses Offered
29
40
Sport
Total Sports Offered
21
23
Sports
Alpine SkiingBaseball
BasketballCrew
Cross CountryDiving
Field HockeyFootball
GolfIce Hockey
LacrosseSoccer
SoftballSquash
SwimmingTennis
Track and FieldUltimate Frisbee
VolleyballWater Polo
Wrestling
Alpine SkiingBaseball
BasketballCrew
Cross CountryCycling
DanceDiving
Field HockeyFootball
GolfIce Hockey
LacrosseSoccer
SoftballSquash
SwimmingTennis
Track and FieldUltimate Frisbee
VolleyballWater Polo
Wrestling
Extracurricular
Total Extra-curric.Total Extracurriculars
33
41
Extra-curric.Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Blue and White Society (school spirit)Blue Notes (male a capella)
Filipino Culture ClubJane Austen Club
Maiyeros (boys a capella)Math Tutoring Society
Milagros (gospel choir)Mitchell Cabinet (Service Club)
Model UNPhilanthropy Society
Photography ClubScience Team
Service ClubSpanish Community Center Tutors
Student Council OfficersStudent Multicultural Board
SubterraneansT.R.I.B.E. (Trust, Respect, Individuality, Belief, Equality)
The Book Club and Literary SocietyThe Debate Society
The Log (Student Newspaper)Theater
Westtown Competitive Gaming ClubWillistonian (Student Newspaper)
Arts and Music Programs:
Chinese Chess ClubMake-a-Wish
Muslim Students AssociationNative American Club
Peer Educators (healthy decisions)Philanthropy Club
Principles of Coaching
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Maiyeros - male a cappellaThe Press - campus sports news
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Albany RoadLit Magazine
Alpine SkiingAmnesty International
Angling ClubArabic Club
Asian Students AssociationBallet
Ballroom DancingBlack Student Alliance
Black Student CoalitionCheerleaders
Chinese ClubChorus
Christian FellowshipChristian Fellowship Club
Classical Music SocietyClassics Club
Community ServiceComputer Club
DanceDebate Forum
Deerfield ScrollDiversity Club
Environmental Action GroupFire Department Volunteers
Food ClubKnitting
Poetry NightResidence Hall Student Government
Sage Literary MagazineSki/Snowboarding
Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
Animal Rights ClubAquarium Society
Asian Student AssociationChess
Current Issues Speakers Club
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Archery ClubBasketball
Fly Fishing Club