Worcester Academy

As another school year comes to a close, we gathered on the Hilltop for our annual Parent Social to celebrate, connect, and reflect on a memorable year. Thank you to all who joined us for a wonderful evening. We are grateful for the partnership, support, and enthusiasm of our incredible parent community.

A favorite Hilltop tradition brought the community together this week. 🏀

The annual Senior/Faculty Basketball Game was filled with competition, school spirit, and plenty of fun. Our seniors gave it their all, but the faculty held onto bragging rights with their third win in a row.

Congratulations to Worcester Academy’s Class of 2026 Valedictorian, Aekem Singh, and Salutatorian, Noah Schenenga.

Throughout their time on the Hilltop, Aekem and Noah have distinguished themselves through their academic excellence, leadership, curiosity, and commitment to our community. We are proud to celebrate this remarkable achievement as they prepare to address their classmates at Commencement on June 5.

This fall, Aekem will attend Brown University to study film and business, and Noah will attend Babson College as a Blank Leadership Scholar studying finance.

Congratulations to Aekem and Noah on this well-deserved honor!

Our Creative Writing class, taught by Mr. Gibbons, hosted a Writers Café as the culminating celebration of the semester, welcoming guests to hear original pieces written and selected by students throughout the course.

The afternoon featured poetry, personal narratives, and creative storytelling, along with a musical performance by Aris Karatsolis-Chanikian '26 on acoustic guitar that quickly turned into an impromptu sing-along. It was a joyful and memorable way to close out the school year while celebrating student voice, creativity, and the sense of community built in the classroom.

We celebrated student leadership during a special all-school ceremony recognizing Upper School students who have demonstrated a commitment to serving and strengthening the Hilltop community.

The event included the Board of Monitors Tapping, the Academy’s highest student leadership honor, as well as a leadership pinning ceremony for members of our eight student leadership groups. Together, these students help shape daily life on campus through mentorship, service, community building, and school traditions.

The ceremony also featured the annual Step Up tradition, where students ceremonially move from one grade level to the next while receiving reflections, advice, and encouragement from the class ahead of them. The meaningful tradition highlighted the strong sense of connection and fellowship that defines the Worcester Academy experience.

Congratulations to all of the students recognized for their leadership, character, and dedication to the community.

Each year, Worcester Academy’s 7th graders visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Green Hill Park as part of their American Studies course work, connecting the lessons of history with the voices and experiences of those who lived it.

During the visit, students meet with Vietnam veterans, listen to their stories, ask thoughtful questions, and reflect on the meaning of service, sacrifice, and remembrance. The experience offers a powerful opportunity to learn beyond the classroom and gain a deeper understanding of the human impact of war.

As we observe Memorial Day, we honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country and express our gratitude to the veterans who continue to share their stories with future generations.

Our community gathered last week to celebrate the accomplishments of our Upper School students during the 2026 Awards Ceremony.

Students were recognized for their academic achievement, leadership, creativity, character, service, and commitment to excellence across all areas of school life. The ceremony was a meaningful reflection of the talent, perseverance, and growth that defined the year on the Hilltop.

Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients!

What stories shape who we are, and what happens when we find the courage to share them?

Throughout the year, our 8th graders explored memoirs, crafted personal narratives, and reflected deeply on their own experiences and perspectives. Their culminating project challenged students to transform those reflections into authentic and meaningful S.T.O.R.Y. Talks, a defining part of the 8th grade experience at Worcester Academy.

Recently, students shared their talks with families and the Worcester Academy community, creating an evening filled with honesty, vulnerability, humor, and heart. The event was a powerful celebration of student voice, personal growth, and the impact of storytelling.

Discovery Projects are a defining part of the Worcester Academy experience, giving every senior and postgraduate the opportunity to pursue an in-depth project connected to their passions, interests, and future goals.

Students dedicate more than 60 hours to work in one of four pathways: Capstone, Masterworks, Internship, or Service Learning. This year’s projects included researching AI and neural networks, designing an integrated lithium battery module, restoring a 1973 Jeep, creating an original documentary, shadowing professionals in medicine and law, and developing service initiatives supporting local schools and community organizations.

This week, the Class of 2026 presented their Discovery Projects to the community, showcasing the creativity, curiosity, initiative, and real-world learning that define a Worcester Academy education. The presentations reflected the talent, dedication, and individuality of our students as they prepare for what comes next.

Learn more about Worcester Academy's Upper School: https://bit.ly/4ukSJwG