At A Glance

 

• 1972: Wakefield Country Day School opens in Huntly, Va.
• 1980: First class graduates; Wakefield Courtesies written.
• 1982: Wakefield School is first used as new, official school name. Senior thesis established.
• 1985: Gymnasium, library, science classrooms completed.
• 1990: Traditionally structured, independent school board of trustees assumes governance and stewardship of Wakefield School.
• 1994: New campus purchased in The Plains.
• 1996: First phase of new campus completed; Wakefield School moves to The Plains.
• 1999: Upper School building added.
• 2001: Wakefield earns accreditation by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS).
• 2002: Arts and Music Building added.
• 2004: Upper gym added, as well as new fields, tennis courts, and infrastructure.
• 2006: Science and Technology building added; 13 additional acres donated to Wakefield.
• 2008: Wireless campus completed with technology template for all classrooms.
• 2010: Squash facility opened on a local farm. Golf practice facility opened.
• 2011: VAIS renewal of accreditation received.
• 2012: 33rd class graduated from Wakefield School; largest graduating class in history (40)
• 2016: New Squash facility opened on campus
• 2017: Society of leadership and Engagement Program initiated; Squash team #1 nationwide
• 2018: Mrs. Ashley Harper inducted as Head of school
• 2020: Nationwide shutdown of all school due to Covid; LS/MS remote learning; US in person
• 2021: Wakefield receives nationwide recognition for educational excellence during pandemic and receives a prestigious Edward E. Ford Foundation grant to support the Capital Campaign for The George L. Ohrstrom Jr. Theater & Auditorium. VAIS renewal accreditation received
• 2022: Wakefield starts 50^th year with 400 students – a ten year high

• 400 students in Junior Kindergarten through 12th grade for 2022 - 23
• 201 boys and 199 girls
• 168 students in the Lower School (junior kindergarten - grade 5)
• 91 students in Middle School (grades 6-8)
• 141 students in Upper School (grades 9-12)
• Student-to-teacher ratio is 6:1 

• 80 members of the faculty and administration
• 3/4 of our faculty hold an advanced degree
• Average tenure of a faculty member at Wakefield is 6 years
• Average number of years teaching experience is 13 years

Wakefield School is accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS).

Founded in 1973, VAIS is the leader in advancing and advocating for independent school education in Virginia. The VAIS accreditation program is one of a select few recognized at the international level through the International Council Advancing Independent School Accreditation (ICAISA). VAIS also is recognized and approved by the Virginia Board of Education through the Virginia Council for Private Education (VCPE).

Additional memberships include The College Board, the National Honor Society, the National Junior Honor Society, the Emerging Scholars Program, and the Secondary School Admission Test Board.

 

 

 

Outstanding students entering 9th-grade are eligible to apply for the Archwood Scholarship. The Archwood Scholarship is awarded every year to a new student with a demonstrated commitment to engagement inside and outside the classroom. That engagement might take any variety of forms; such as a deep interest in one or more academic subjects or involvement in sports, the arts, or community service.

The scholarship provides an annual award of 50% the tuition for the four years of Upper School, provided the recipient continues to live up to the values that characterize an archwood scholar. Those values include a passion for curiosity, an appreciation for scholarship, and a commitment to excellence.

 

2022 Graduating Class Statistics

• 100% college acceptance

• 92% took three or more years of a lab science

• U.S News and World Report Best Colleges (2022) Rankings: Out of 32 students graduating in 2022, 22 (69%) will attend institutions ranked in the Best National Universities category, 1 (3%) in the Best National Liberal Arts category, and 4 (13%) in the Best Regional Universities category

• 19 (59%) seniors received at least one merit or academic scholarship

• Over $2 million was awarded in scholarships or merit aid

• Graduates reported an overall happiness rate of 9 with the college they will be attending

 

Wakefield’s Arts 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' Concerts

• Upper and Middle School Fall Play

• Middle School Music Holiday Concert

• Talent Show/Holiday Lasagna Dinner

• Lower School Arts Festival

• 3rd Grade Musical

• All School Winter Musical

• 4th Grade Immigration Heritage Music Concert

• Upper and Middle School Spring Play

• Middle School Music Competition and Festival

• Medeival Faire

• 5th grade Poetry Tea

Wakefield is a member of the International Thespian Society.

 

Wakefield School is a member of the Greater Piedmont Athletic Conference (GPAC), The International Equestrian Association, and the Mid-Atlantic Squash Association (MASO). We offer 16 varsity sports in the Upper School and 15 sports in the Middle School. 85% of our Upper School students choose to participate in a sport.

Recent Athletic Accomplishments

• More than 21 different Advanced Placement and/or Dual Enrollment courses offered
• We offer Dual Enrollment in World Civilization, U.S. Government and Politics, and International Relations
• On average, students take between three and five AP classes while attending Wakefield School