Wakefield at a Glance

Mission Statement:

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 extraordinary lives...each in his or her own way.

Enrollment:

461 students pre-school-12; 238 boys and 223 girls

  • 208 students in the lower school (pre-school - grade 5)
  • 104 students in middle school (grades 6-8)
  • 149 students in upper school (grades 9-12)

The student:teacher ratio at Wakefield is 10:1.  In pre-school and pre-kindergarten there will not be more than ten children to one teacher; in kindergarten there will not be more than 11 children to one teacher.  In grades 1-12, the maximum class size is 18 students.  

Faculty credentials:

There are 84 members of the teaching faculty and administration - 35 hold master’s degrees, 6 hold PhDs. 49% of the faculty and administration hold advanced degrees.  The average tenure of a faculty member at Wakefield is 6 years and the average number of years teaching experience is 12 years.

School Accreditation and Associations:

Wakefield School is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools in addition to being a member of the Association of Independent Schools of Great Washington. Additional memberships include: The College Board, The Secondary School Admission Test Board, the National Honor Society, the Emerging Scholars Program, and the Polish Scholar Program.

College Matriculation 2009:

100% college acceptance. 52% of the class is attending a college or university ranked in the highest category for either Best National Universities or Best Liberal Arts Colleges by US News and World Report’s Best Colleges;
  • 94% of the class are attending a college or university recognized by US News and World Report’s Best Colleges.
  • 97% of the class won admission to their first or second choice school.
  • 46% of the class received at least one merit or academic scholarship. Over $1.1 million in merit and scholarship money was awarded to the Class of 2009.  

SAT Scores

 

2009 Wakefield Mean SAT Results

2009 National Mean SAT Results

2009 State of Virginia Mean SAT Results

2009 Virginia Independent School Mean SAT Results

2009 Virginia Public School Mean SAT Results

Verbal

628

501

511

560

509

Math

591

515

512

564

511

Writing

 

609

493

498

557

495

TOTAL

 

1828

1509

1521

1681

1515

 

AP Courses:

We are currently offering eleven AP courses. 83% of the class of 2009 took at least one AP class, on average students took 3.3 AP classes while at Wakefield.

Academic Honors Program Offers & Acadmic Scholarships, Class of 2009:

  • Harry F. Byrd, Jr. Leadership Award
  • The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship
  • Bucknell University Presidential Fellows Scholarship
  • Lafayette College Marquis Scholarship
  • Elon University Presidential Scholarship
  • Bill Mertens Memorial Daily Iowan Scholarship
  • Emory University Liberal Arts Scholarship
  • 46% received at least one merit or academic scholarship
  • Nearly $1.1M awarded in scholarships or merit aid; average merit award was $67,000.

Sample of Summer Enrichment Experiences:

  • Virginia Governor’s Schools-6 attendeed, 100% of applicants to foreign language program were admitted.
  • Duke University TIP
  • Young Writers Workshop of the University of Virginia
  • Broadcasting Camp at the University of Tennessee
  • High School Summer College program at Stanford University
  • National Institute of American History and Democracy at the College of William and Mary

Athletics:

Wakefield School is a member of the Delaney Athletic Conference and the Cavalier Athletic Conference. Participation in Virginia Independent School Athletic Association State Tournaments include:
  • Boys’ Lacrosse (2006-2008)
  • Girls’ Lacrosse (2006, 2009)
  • Girls’ Soccer (2006-2009)
  • Tennis (Girls placed in 2006-2009; Boys placed in 2008-2009)
  • Girls’ Volleyball (2005-2008, state runner-up 2007)
  • Swimming (Individuals placed in 2007-2009)
  • Cross Country (2007-2008)
  • Girls’ Basketball (2008-2009)
  • Boys’ Basketball (2008-2009)

Arts:

Wakefield’s Art Department supports a wide range of artistic endeavors from acting to photography to music theory. Each year there are a number of traditional performing arts productions including:
  • Grandparents Day (pre-kindergarten-grade 5)
  • The 3rd grade play (The Nightingale in 2008-2009)
  • Archwood Community Theatre production (Arsenic and Old Lace, 2008-2009)
  • Holiday Musical (A Christmas Carol, 2008-2009)
  • 8th Grade Play (The Jungle Book, 2008-2009)
  • Upper School Play (Romeo and Juliet, 2008-2009)
  • Kindergarten Spring Concert
  • 1st and 2nd Grade Spring Concert
  • 4th Grade Immigration Heritage Concert
  • Middle School Music Concerts in December and May 

Wakefield is a member of the International Thespian Society and participates in the Washington DC-Metro area CAPPIES program to promote excellence in Critical Journalism and the Theatre Arts. 

Wakefield's Arts Department serves as the U.S. host to the UK-centered Alexander Talbott Rice Foundation's program to identify excellence in the visual arts in Virginia.  A spring art show at Wakefield is the culminating event of this prestigious program.