WASATCH ACADEMY
Facts & Traditions
We know belonging matters
Wasatch Academy sits on a beautiful 35-acre campus in rural central Utah. Established in 1875 by the Presbyterian Church, we are today a proudly secular school with students from 20 different countries and 25 different US states. We celebrate a richly diverse student body and an explicit commitment to the value of inclusion and equity in our community.
At Wasatch Academy, we measure our wealth in the deep commitment of faculty and staff to the well-being and healthy academic and emotional support of each of our students. We are resolute in helping our students develop and pursue their academic and creative passions as we prepare them for their next step in life.
We differentiate the educational experience for each of our students as we help them lean into a curriculum and learning experience that is both college and life preparatory.
Get to Know Us
Meet Wasatch Academy Faculty and Staff members.
Wasatch at a Glance
-
Wasatch Academy is fully accredited by both Cognia (formerly AdvancED) and by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS).
-
Wasatch Academy is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS), and The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS).
-
Board of Trustees
-
None/Secular
-
College-preparatory, liberal arts curriculum with Advanced Placement courses, honors courses, fine arts, performing arts, and athletics.
-
-
With 18 varsity athletic teams, Wasatch Academy participates in Region 18 of the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) and Utah School Sports Association (USSA). The varsity boys basketball team is an Independent Member of UHSAA with an open classification and founding member of the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference (NIBC).
-
With Wasatch Academy’s prime location in central Utah, opportunities for outdoor exploration abound for the seasoned adventurer or the enthusiastic beginner, including rock climbing, skiing and snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, camping, equestrian, and access to five national parks.
-
The Arts are an integral part of the Wasatch Academy curriculum. All students are required to complete courses in the performing and studio arts departments.
-
“Let it endure like the Wasatch Mountains; call it Wasatch Academy.”
As a Presbyterian Minister devoted to improving the human condition through education, Duncan McMillan opened the doors of Wasatch Academy’s first schoolhouse to local residents in 1875. This quote cemented not only the name of the school but launched a tradition of timeless achievement. Even as our vision has evolved over the years, Wasatch Academy continues to nurture excellence through education within its students.
Our Traditions
Commencement
The Commencement ceremony on the quad is our most joyous tradition, during which all diplomas are formally conferred.
Timothy Tiger
Timothy Tiger became the official Wasatch Academy mascot in 2019, yet the iconic Tiger has represented our school in various forms since the late 19th century.
Athletic Traditions
Wasatch Academy athletics have been a tradition for the Tigers since the late-1800s. We celebrated 108 years of basketball in 2020, and Wasatch Academy athletes have excelled around the world in collegiate and international competitions.
Horseshoe Mountain Hike
For decades, Wasatch Academy has kicked off each academic year with an all-school 14-mile trek through the Manti-LaSal National Forest to summit Horseshoe Mountain. Building teamwork, strengthening character, and forging relationships, this annual hike is considered one of Wasatch Academy’s most special school traditions.
Family Weekends
Gathering parents, guardians, siblings, and extended families from across the world, family day unite students with their loved ones to share life on campus as fellow Tigers.
Founder’s Day Event & Alumni Weekend
The Founder’s Day celebration is an event for students, faculty, staff, and alumni held annually on a day close to the anniversary of the April 19, 1875 founding of the school.
Tiger Nation Day
A bustling 24-hour campaign, Tiger Nation Day inspires alumni, parents, and friends to support and secure the future of Wasatch Academy.
