The Writing Center at Williston

English teacher Sarah Sawyer leads the center

One of the benefits of a Williston Northampton education is the personalized attention our students get in their academic studies. With the opening of the school's Writing Center in the fall of 2005, students have additional opportunities to receive one-on-one instruction for enhancing basic writing skills and improving their ability to compose expository essays, research assignments, creative and technical pieces, and more.

At Williston, writing is a part of every class, including math and science, and it is critical that students are able to write persuasively and accurately, regardless of subject area. While all disciplines teach writing skills, every student can benefit from the heightened individual attention that the Writing Center provides.

The goal is to provide increased access to one-on-one instruction for students who wish to enrich their skills. Students can bring their work to be critiqued by an instructor or trained peer tutor who identifies areas of strength and weakness. Through a collaborative, supportive process, the Writing Center strives to improve each student as a writer rather than focusing exclusively on the assignment at hand.

Peer tutoring is part of the center's program

The center is open during parts of the academic day as well as during some evening study halls, allowing students time to use this resource during their free periods, activities periods, and study hall. The center's location, computers, work spaces, and varying hours ensure that it will be a focal point of the academic life on campus. Students are encouraged by faculty members from all disciplines to make an appointment to be assured a spot during the Writing Center's hours, but they are also allowed to "drop in" if they have not signed up.

The initial costs of the Writing Center were underwritten in part by the late Jonathan C. Cox '63 and his wife Debra M. Cox.

Sign up for an appointment in the Writing Center online.