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FAQ

FAQ

Q What is the mission of the school?

We provide a rigorous liberal arts education through a challenging, content-rich curriculum and extra-curricular activities that are delivered by skilled, supportive, and creative teachers, coaches, and advisers. We believe in broad knowledge, the equal importance of character and intellect, the benefits of hard work, and the limitless potential of our students. We foster self-discipline, independence, creativity, and curiosity. We welcome families who will embrace our ambitious vision: to develop capable, ethical, and articulate citizens who will seek the challenge, make a difference, and live an extraordinary life…each in his or her way.

Q Where is Wakefield located?

Our 62 acre campus is located approximately 1/4 mile from RT. 66 in The Plains, VA, providing convenient access to Washington, DC and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Distance to Wakefield from:

Middleburg, VA: 9 miles
Haymarket, VA: 10 miles
Gainesville, VA: 12 miles
Manassas, VA: 21 miles
Centreville, VA: 22 miles
Flint Hill, VA: 22 miles
Front Royal, VA: 25 miles
South Riding, VA: 27 miles
Fairfax, VA: 30 miles
Leesburg, VA: 31 miles
Vienna, VA: 33 miles
Culpeper, VA: 36 miles
Washington, D.C.: 45 miles
Winchester, VA: 47 miles

Directions

Q How many students attend Wakefield School?

There are currently 461 students enrolled in grades pre-school – 12; 208 students in grades pre-school – 5; 104 students in grades 6-8; and 149 students in grades 9-12. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10:1. In pre-school and pre-kindergarten there will not be more than 10 children to one teacher; in kindergarten there will not be more than 11 children to 1 teacher. In grades 1-12 the maximum class size is 18 students.

Q How many Honors and AP courses does Wakefield School offer?

Our curriculum is designed to provide students a challenging and meaningful academic experience at all levels. Currently, there are 12 Advanced Placement courses offered; each curriculum has been approved by the College Board. In addition there are 5 Honors courses (Composition 9, Composition 10, History 9, Geometry, Senior Thesis) offered across the curriculum in the Upper School. Beyond the broad honors and AP class offerings, students at Wakefield also have the opportunity to enroll in unique courses including: conservation ecology (offered in partnership with Smithsonian's Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, VA and the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, Africa), organic chemistry, and junior and senior thesis. For more information about any of our course offerings, please see the Course Catalog.

Q What is Wakefield School known for?

We pride ourselves on being dedicated to a truly traditional liberal arts education and to keeping our mission at the center of school experience. Liberal arts education does not mean that we specialize in humanities, though our students are very strong in those areas. Rather it means that we revere knowledge in all disciplines and embrace the ways in which those disciplines are intertwined and mutually important. A strong knowledge of math and science are equally important to making sense of the way the world works as is a firm grasp of history. Our mission states that our vision is to develop capable, ethical, and articulate citizens. One of the many ways that we achieve this is by offering an interdisciplinary composition course, beginning in the fourth grade. The purpose of this course is to help students discover and master the skills of written communication whether the topic is scientific or historic, critical or analytical. Effective communication is a key component to success in life regardless of discipline.

Q I have heard that Wakefield is very academic; what are the opportunities for extra-curricular activities?

Opportunities abound for extra-curricular involvement at Wakefield. We have two periods each week set aside for students in the Middle and Upper School to take part in campus activities including intramural sports, Citizen Series, and other traditional ones such as service club, Model UN, pop quiz, chess club, spirit club, and many more. In addition there is an active student government in the Upper School comprised of representatives from each grade and led by a president, vice president, and secretary treasurer from the senior class. Finally, the vast majority of students participate in athletics and drama after school during at least one season. Students manage the lighting, sound, and set construction, as well as the acting (of course!) for each of the plays, which are not to be missed. Visit the Arts for more information. Our 33 athletic teams in the Middle and Upper School are very competitive in the Delaney Athletic Conference as well as the Cavalier Athletic Conference. Please visit the Athletics portion of the website for the most up-to-date information on their success. Do not miss the chance to read our online student newspaper, Noctua, which is another wonderful insight into our community. In the Lower School students also take advantage of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Beginning in pre-kindergarten they have library, art, music, computer, PE, and foreign language each at least once a week. In addition there are active Cub Scout and Girl Scout troops that meet at school in the afternoon. Throughout the year there are also optional after school activities that take place including: nature camp, sampler making, tap and jazz, and cardio for kids. All Lower School students will perform before audiences multiple times throughout the year at events such as Grandparents Day, Lower School graduation, the 1st and 2nd grade concert, and the 3rd grade play.

Q Can students buy lunch at Wakefield?

Students enjoy lunch in our dining room and have the option to pack or buy their lunch. The lunch service, catered by The Fairfax Food Service (FFS), is available for purchase one month at a time. FFS Smart Food for Hungry Minds lunches are ordered via an online system. On Tuesdays we celebrate Taco Tuesday. The food is provided by Tippy's Taco and is also ordered online. Students choosing to pack their lunch have access to several microwaves in which they can heat food if needed.

Q Does Wakefield offer transportation?

Wakefield has buses that go to Purcellville, Middleburg, Warrenton, Centreville, Leesburg, Piedmont, and Haymarket. The price for round trip bus service is $2,100 per student with discounts for multiple children in the same family. Click here for specific route and cost information.

Q Is Wakefield School accredited?

Yes, we are accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools. In addition, the following memberships are maintained by the school: Association of Independent Schools of the Greater Washington Area, the College Board, the Secondary School Admission Test Board, the Polish exchange program, and the Emerging Scholars Program.

Q What types of colleges do Wakefield students attend?

On average over 80% of the senior class attend their first or second choice school. The focus of our college counseling program is on finding the college or university that is the right fit for a student. As a result, our students attend many different schools throughout the country, and even the world. Please visit the College Counseling section of the website for full details on our program as well as a list of College Matriculations.

Q Do students wear a uniform at Wakefield?

Wakefield students in grades 1-12 have a uniform dress code designed to encourage expression of pride in oneself and in being a member of the Wakefield School community. The dress uniform consists, in general, of a white shirt/blouse, grey pants/plaid jumper or kilt, tie, dress shoes, and navy blazer with school crest. The everyday uniform consists primarily of a white shirt/polo, khaki pants/jumper or plaid kilt, socks, shoes and belt. The specific requirements of each uniform are provided to each new student and are available in the Student Handbook or via the following links: Lower School uniforms, Middle School uniforms, and Upper School uniforms.

Q Does Wakefield offer a Pre-School Program?

Yes, in 2008, Wakefield began offering a pre-school program that emphasizes school readiness. Students must be 3 years old and fully potty trained to be considered for admission to the pre-school. Families may choose to enroll children either 2,3 or 5 days a week; classes run from 8:30am-3:30pm daily. For more details on the program, please visit the Pre-School section of the website.

Q Does Wakefield have After-Care?

Yes, a supervised after-school program for students in grades Pre-K through 8th is offered on a daily basis. Students in grades Pre-K - 8th who are not involved in a school sponsored activity and who remain on campus after school are escorted to after-school care. Parents are billed for this service.

After-Care concludes at 6:00 pm sharp.

Middle School After-Care runs from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Lower School start times for After-Care vary with age and situation. For students who are scheduled to attend After-Care, the following start times apply:

Pre-K and K children are escorted to After-Care at 3:15 pm.
1st and 2nd Grade children are escorted to After-Care at 3:20 pm.
Children in Grades 3-5 are escorted to After-Care at 3:30 pm.

If there is no pre-arranged plan for a Lower School student to attend After-Care that day, he or she will wait at the usual pick-up location for his or her ride until 3:45 pm, after which he or she will be escorted to After-Care.

The rates for After-Care are as follows:

Lower School After-Care: $10.00/hour, billed in 15-minute increments.
Middle School After-Care: $10.00/hour, billed in 15-minute increments.
If a child is not picked up by 6:00 pm, a penalty fee of $1.00 per minute for every minute after 6:00 pm will be charged.