The study of Latin is a critical component of a classical curriculum. It gives students an understanding of English and other Indo-European languages' linguistic underpinnings and prepares them for success in medicine, science, law, and business. In addition to mastering the language itself, students develop a knowledge of Greek and Roman literature, history, and culture. In doing so, they also appreciate the impact that these ancient cultures have had on our way of life. WCDS is one of the few schools in the U.S. that retains a two-year ancient language requirement, and our students regularly place among the top at various local, state, and national competitions. These include Certamen, a series of quiz-bowl style competitions among schools in the area, yearly conventions held by the Virginia Junior Classical League and the National Junior Classical League, and standardized tests such as the National Latin Exam and the National Mythology Exam.

Course Offerings:
Latin IA
Latin IB
Latin I
Latin II
Latin III

In Upper School Literature, students build on their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. They are challenged to think logically, write clearly, and argue persuasively. In 9th grade, students take Philosophy and Literature. This course follows a thematic progression of truth, beauty, goodness, and commitment. In each unit, students read pieces that support discussion and analysis of each of these themes. Philosophy and Literature readings include Voltaire's Candide, The Merchant of Venice, To Kill a Mockingbird, Silas Marner, Dr. Faustus, and Night. Students also read pieces by Kafka, Chekhov, and Plato. Tenth-grade literature focuses on American writers as a complement to the AP U.S. History course that students also take at this grade level. Students read The Grapes of Wrath, The Scarlet Letter, The Tempest, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, My Atonia, The Great Gatsby, and Warrior Don't Cry. In 11th grade, students follow the historical development of British Literature to explore its effects on the English language and the United States. Literature read in this course includes Atonement, 1984, Wuthering Heights, Mrs. Dalloway, Great Expectations, Hamlet, and Macbeth. Students continue to build on understanding human nature as depicted in writing and strengthening their analytical skills in preparation for AP Literature. In 12th grade, students take AP Literature and read various world literature pieces including Crime and Punishment, Anna Karenina, King Lear, Beloved, Heart of Darkness, and Frankenstein. This course culminates in students taking the AP Literature exam in May of each year.

Course Offerings:
Philosophy and Literature
American Literature
British Literature
The Hero's Quest in World Literature
AP English Literature and Composition

The Upper School Grammar & Composition course teaches sophisticated rhetorical techniques by using various thought-provoking forms of the written word and visual media. There is a strong emphasis on the core academic writing styles: argumentative, expository, and analytical. Students think critically about the core questions that face our society today. Through a teacher-guided writing program, students write clearly and analytically about their personal views on various subjects.

The Upper School Grammar & Composition progression is as follows:

English 9 and 10: Students learn to employ imagery and utilize precise and diverse vocabulary to develop their voices and writing styles. As preparation for AP and university-level English classes, students form responses to literary texts and complex writings through daily journals, article writing, and peer reading. Emphasized genres include personal narrative, short story, poetry, critical analyses, journalistic writing, and research writing. Presentation skills are taught and reinforced through both Harkness debates and formal debate practice. Grammar, diagramming, and mechanics are emphasized, with attention to proofreading skills. 

Course Offerings:
Narration and Persuasion in Writing
Rhetoric and Literary Analysis

AP English Language and Composition: This college-level composition course teaches sophisticated rhetorical techniques by analyzing various thought-provoking forms of the written word and visual media. There is a strong emphasis on the core academic writing styles: argumentative, expository, and analytical. Students think critically about the core questions that face our society today, and through instructor-guided writing, they write clearly and analytically about their views on many topics. Presentation skills and Harkness debate skills are an essential part of the curriculum.

Senior Thesis: This project synthesizes the student's educational experience of thinking, reading, learning, writing, and speaking. The Senior Thesis course is a year-long process of gathering research information, reading, writing critically, leading topic seminars, constructing a lengthy dissertation, exhibiting findings to an audience, and defending arguments to a panel of faculty and other experts.

At the core of the college-preparatory math curriculum are two years of algebra, one year of geometry, and one year of pre-calculus. In the upper grades, students take either AP or Honors Calculus or Statistics. Students with a keen interest and aptitude in mathematics are encouraged to take AP Calculus BC. The upper school math curriculum aims to integrate all aspects of mathematics and demonstrate mathematics used in everyday life. Problem solving, logic, and critical thinking are key feature points through interdisciplinary learning, coordination with other subjects, and practical technology applications.

Course Offerings:
Algebra 1 (taken in 7th or 8th grade)
Geometry (taken in 8th or 9th grade)
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
AP/Honors Calculus AB
AP/Honors Calculus BC
AP/Honors Statistics

The Spanish curriculum goal in Grades 7-12 is to engage students in active communication in Spanish while building a robust grammatical foundation. Each lesson allows students to practice the concept in a manner consistent with real-world application. They are encouraged to read, write, speak, and listen to the language. They explore different cultural practices throughout the Spanish-speaking world. Since Spanish grammar and vocabulary derive directly from Latin, the students' knowledge of Latin helps them with Spanish. Upon graduation from Wakefield, the students can express themselves with fluency and precision and appreciate the rich Spanish literary tradition.

Course Offerings:
Spanish 1
Spanish 2
Spanish 3
Spanish 4
AP/Dual Enrollment Spanish

Much of WCDS's science coursework is lab-based. It ranges from structured investigations through field trips, contest participation, presentations from guest speakers and career scientists, and student-led and designed experiments. Science courses in the Upper School encourage interest and passion for STEM-related subjects through the umbrella courses of biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science. Besides lab work and classroom activities, students take part in various extracurricular science activities, including Envirothon, Coaster Mania Engineering Competition, and many others. The general science sequence in the upper school begins with Biology, discussing the origins of life, genetics, biodiversity, and ecology. Chemistry and Physics follow, examining the basic properties and interactions that govern our world and our universe. Our award-winning environmental science program explores fundamental components and associations that make up the earth's natural systems that are necessary to understand and address environmental issues.

Course Offerings:
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Dual Enrollment Environmental Science
Forensic Science

Throughout the Upper School, students will take a journey through history, mastering a historian’s skill set to read and analyze primary and secondary sources. History acts as a driver for the non-STEM portion of the WCDS curriculum, with humanities courses teaching about the periods and world regions taught in history class. Additionally, students learn how to develop historical arguments and identify essential turning points in world history, recognizing cause-and-effect relationships. In 10th and 11th grades, students are well-prepared to sit for the AP U.S. History and AP U.S. Government exams, with most students receiving a score of 4 or 5.

Wakefield students embrace the ancient concept of citizenship as an office, with both rights and responsibilities. Like our Founding Fathers, they understand that in-depth knowledge of what has passed will better equip them to predict and shape what is to come. Building on middle school history and geography, ninth graders survey World History, followed by deep dives into AP U.S. History and AP U.S. Government. Students have the option to spiral up to international topics in Modern European History, Russian History, and Art History.

Our students master researching, reading, and analyzing historical documents, news stories, scholarly articles, Supreme Court opinions, and statistical data at every level. Going far beyond spouting opinions, WCDS students repeatedly and systematically stitch this evidence into powerful oral and written arguments. They are often called upon to argue the opposite side to appreciate different perspectives better. At other times, they role play as decision-makers, learning to weigh evidence in real-life decisions. This rigorous analysis and argumentation make them well-informed voters, able to engage those with different perspectives with civility and a dose of humility that comes from knowing there is always more to learn.

Course Offerings:
World History
Pre-Renaissance History
AP/Honors US History
AP/Honors US Government
Russian History
Art History

Students take Studio Art to solidify their understanding of artistic elements and design principles at an advanced level. Projects are varied and challenging, allowing students to explore and become familiar with their creative process while learning and experiencing making art. Students consider a range of artistic styles throughout history across various world cultures and observe how art is present in each student’s life and throughout society. For those musically minded, students have the opportunity to take a survey course on integrated music history and theory. Also, students may participate in the WCDS jazz ensemble after school.

Course Offerings:
Finance
World Religions
Journalism & Media 1
Journalism & Media 2
Introduction to Multimedia Journalism
Advanced Editorial Writing and Documentary Production
Studio Art (rotating topics)
Computer Engineering