Founded in 1828 as the “Yale of the West,” Western Reserve Academy is a private, coeducational boarding school in Hudson, Ohio, serving students in grades 9–12. A post-graduate year is available.

WRA prides itself on long-standing traditions and is one of the only boarding schools that still requires students to adhere to a strict, formal dress code. Other traditions include Friday study breaks that celebrate the coming of the weekend and Wednesday sit-down, family-style lunches with the entire faculty.

In place of Saturday classes, WRA extends learning to the Saturday Academy, a time allotted for in-depth subject study or class meetings. Grads attend Ivies as well as University of Chicago, Northwestern, Duke, Georgetown, NYU, and the U.S. Naval Academy.

•Percentage of students who board: 70%

•Tuition, room, and board: $51,750

•Percentage of students who receive some form of financial aid: 39% (grants)

•Notable alumni: Ian Frazier (author, essayist), Lee Morin (NASA astronaut)