Character: The Wakefield Courtesies

At the core of every Wakefield student is a deep understanding of what it means to be a contributing member of the community who treats others with the highest standards of kindness and respect. We express this civility by respecting ourselves, respecting others, respecting our school, and respecting our community at large.The Wakefield Courtesies serve as a reminder of this attitude.

Wakefield Lower School student, politely raising her hand in class

Respecting
Ourselves

  • We value the pursuit of virtue and wisdom as expressed in our school motto: Virtus et Sapientia
  • We display prudence in our decisions, justice in our interactions, temperance in our behavior, and fortitude in the face of adversity
  • We are honest with ourselves, and others, with regards to our actions
  • We give a sincere effort. Success may, or may not, occur, but we try our best regardless

Respecting
Others

  • We courteously greet others during the course of the day, and we respect the space and dialog of others, politely walking around them when not taking part in their conversations.
  • We rise for an adult entering the classroom and respectfully stand until instructed.
  • We hold the door for each other, visitors, and anyone needing help.
  • We knock before entering a room, showing respect for others’ privacy.

Two Middle School girls embrace as they act out a scene in Theater class

Five Wakefield students in school uniforms

Respecting Our
School

  • We display pride in our appearance and dress in accordance to both the dress code and its spirit
  • We observe manners of etiquette when dining, or talking, as we are representing our school to the community
  • We respect all school members and facilities by treating possessions with care and borrowing only with permission
  • We are humble in success and gracious in defeat, for we know that on another day roles may well be reversed

Respecting Our
Community

  • We respect all national symbols, especially our flag, by standing for the National Anthem and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance
  • We are good environmental stewards of our campus, and extend this attitude to the local, regional, and global environment of which our campus and community are integral parts
  • We value the diversity of cultures, and we tolerate all perspectives, even those with which we disagree
  • We understand that we are citizens of the world and contributors to the global community

lower school students doing community service on school grounds