At WCDS, we believe that developing scholarly, ethical, empathic, and open-minded students is at the core of a college-preparatory curriculum. A profound understanding of the communities and the world around us is essential to our students' growth as future leaders and change agents. From our three-language education model to our commitment to enabling every student to travel abroad at least once during their WCDS experience, students have endless opportunities to explore different cultures and develop an understanding of global issues. Our award-winning faculty weaves intercultural competencies and global citizenship awareness across all subjects and all levels of the curriculum so that upon graduation, students feel prepared to take on the multitude of challenges that will face them and their generation.

Sustainability and a commitment to environmental awareness are also at the forefront of our education through partnerships with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and Shenandoah National Park. In the upper school, almost 100% of students take AP or dual-enrollment Environmental Science.