WHEELING, WV — August 24, 2026 — The Linsly School officially kicked off the 2026-2027 academic year last Wednesday, welcoming a dynamic student body of 417 day and boarding students to its historic Leatherwood campus. Embracing this year’s school theme, inspired by Theodore Roosevelt’s call to action, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are,” the school community enters the new year with momentum, state-of-the-art facilities, and strong enrollment.
The incoming student body brings diverse perspectives from across the globe and around the corner. Total enrollment has increased to 417 students, comprising 310 day students and 107 boarding students. The student body represents 24 countries, spanning from Argentina and Australia to Germany, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom, alongside seven U.S. states. All total, Linsly welcomes 148 new students this fall. Demonstrating strong local community interest, 12 of these new students are Linsly legacies, and 16 have or had siblings attend the school.
Marking a major campus milestone, Linsly celebrated the official opening of Simmons Hall, a brand-new, modern dormitory designed to offer comfortable, living-learning spaces for the school’s residential boarding program. In addition to other campus improvements, Linsly is continuing its strong college preparatory offerings with the hiring of several new faculty members for 2026 who bring rich experience and passion to the classroom.
“Starting a new school year is always a powerful moment, but this year carries exceptional energy,” said Head of School Dr. Justin Zimmerman. “With the opening of Simmons Hall, the arrival of our impressive new faculty members, and a vibrant community of students representing 24 nations, we are fully equipped to put our theme into practice every day. We look forward to seeing what our students achieve as they keep going and maximize every opportunity before them.”
Founded in 1814, The Linsly School is an independent, coeducational college preparatory day and boarding school for students in grades 5 through 12, dedicated to academic excellence, character development, and global citizenship.
