About WCDS

Wakefield Country Day School (WCDS) is a Preschool through 12th-grade independent school located in serene Huntly, Virginia. We pride ourselves on providing not just a rigorous college-preparatory education with a 100% college acceptance rate, but an education that builds character and prepares students with a toolkit for life.

Our curriculum is rooted both in the classical tradition and the cutting-edge, focusing on the 21st-century educational values of writing, public speaking, critical thinking, STEM, and foreign language fluency. All WCDS scholars participate in athletics, fine and performing arts, and their education culminates in a year-long senior thesis project. Additionally, teachers place a strong emphasis on ethical responsibility, inclusivity, honorable conduct, and leadership within our community and beyond.

We are accredited by the Virginia Independent Schools Association and ranked #17 in the entire State of Virginia by Niche in 2023 for Best Private Schools (K-12). We are consistently ranked as one of the top private schools in the state by Virginia Living Magazine.

 

 

Learn about what makes a
WCDS education unique

 

 

 

 

A glance into Wakefield Country Day School's
classical, sequential curriculum

 

 

 

 

A day in the life of
students at WCDS

 

 

 

 

Mens sana in corpore sano –
a sound mind in a sound body

 

 

Latest News

Open House + Bring-a-Friend to School Day

It’s time for the annual WCDS BRING A FRIEND TO SCHOOL / OPEN HOUSE On President’s Day – Feb. 18th 9 am – noon or 9 am – 3:40 pm SIGN-UP ENDS AT 1 PM ON FRIDAY, FEB. 16th Come visit campus for a day in the life of a WCDS student. Questions? 540 635 […]

What it’s like to go to school without cellphones

Click here to view the full article written by Tana Brady and published in the Rappahannock News.

Important Announcement Regarding Head of School Transition

Please click here to view the full announcement from Sharon Luke, Chairman of the WCDS Board of Directors.

Celebrating the Creative Endeavors of WCDS Journalism, Yearbook, and Film Students: A Cinematic Journey

Throughout the academic year, the students of journalism, yearbook, and film classes at Wakefield Community Day School(WCDS) have embarked on an incredible journey, crafting a diverse collection of films that highlight their artistic prowess and storytelling abilities. From conducting interviews and editing footage to conceptualizing and filming captivating narratives, these talented individuals have poured their […]

AP Language and Composition Group Projects Show Dedication to Service and Creativity

Students in Mrs. Hampton’s AP Language and Composition class were set the task of coming up with a Proposal for a Community Service Project as part of our unit on Community Building and Civic Responsibility. The class was divided into groups of five, and each group was responsible for their own project. Along with determining […]

Meet Amanda Hoffman, Learning Specialist and Lower School Dean of Faculty

I was led to Wakefield by my desire of wanting something different. The bulk of my teaching career took place in public education, but when I had my daughter and began exploring the benefits of a classical education, I knew I needed to make a change. These past six years, I have seen my daughter […]

50th Anniversary Campaign

Dear Friends of WCDS: Wakefield is turning a half-century old. In Fall 2021 we launched our 50th Anniversary Campaign to fund the future of our beloved school for the next 50 years! Without the generosity of our donors, we wouldn’t be able to provide the excellent education at the incredible value that we do. That […]

Scripps National Spelling Bee

This year, WCDS held its first annual Scripps National School Spelling Bee on January 27, 2023! During the months of December and January grades 1-8 held their classroom bees to determine who would participate in the schoolwide bee. The classroom winners and runners-up were: Kalani Loving, Owen Smith, Emma Padgett, Grace Collings, Alex Zajac, Beatrice […]

Take One, Action!

By: Tara Johnson, Theatre I teacher, 9th-12th grade Through hard work, collaboration, and bravery (it’s scary to get up in front of a crowd!), the high school thespians at WCDS are ready to perform a One Act comedy entitled: “This is a Test” by Stephen Gregg! Wakefield’s Theatre class is off to a stellar start! […]

Gods and Goddesses, Oh My!

By: Mrs. Molly Fairhurst, third-grade teacher There are a few highlights in our third-grade history curriculum, and the Greek gods and goddesses project is one of the favorites. Students who have previously attended Wakefield Country Day School, especially if they have older siblings, come into 3rd grade ready to study Greek Mythology and count down […]

We Can Do Hard Things!

By Ms. Pheister, Fourth Grade Teacher The third, fourth, and fifth-grade teachers started the year by brainstorming some team-building projects and field trips we could go on to get a strong start for the year. We decided on two early character-building field trips: one to Shenandoah National Park for a hike to see the falls […]

May the Force Gauge Be with You

By: Brian Beres Ph.D. The other day in class, we were designing in CAD, and testing 3D printed force gauges. A force gauge can tell how much force it takes to move an object. A student came up to me and asked, “Dr. Beres, do you think this is what a Newton feels like?” My […]

Colleges and Universities Our Graduates Attend


INTERNSHIPS
%
Seniors take part in internship program with local businesses
TRAVEL ABROAD
%
Students in 7th grade and above experience foreign travel to various destinations
BUS TRANSPORTATION
WCDS offers bus transportation to surrounding counties
SCHOLARSHIP & FINANCIAL AID
%
Families in need of assistance receive scholarships and/or financial aid.