WCDS News

Wakefield Country Day School in Huntly celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2026 last Saturday, honoring 13 seniors during a ceremony attended by classmates, family members, faculty, alumni and friends. The graduates gathered in the auditorium one final time as students to mark their accomplishments and reflect on the impact they made during their […]

Wakefield Country Day School enjoyed a highly successful spring athletic season, highlighted by championship performances, state tournament qualifications and continued program growth across multiple sports. The middle school boys’ flag football team put together an outstanding inaugural campaign, finishing the season with a 6-1 overall record. The Owls dominated the regular season, posting a perfect 5-0 record

Some players spend years working their way to the top. For WCDS student Jacob DiDomenico, the spotlight came early — and he never let it slip. As a three-season athlete his entire high school career (soccer, basketball, lacrosse and golf), he has been a dominant player each season, for every sport. DiDomenico is the first

Mrs. Fairhurst’s third graders took on an inspirational fundraising project to support local wildlife by raising money for the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in Boyce, Virginia. Through school bake sales and at-home chores and jobs, students contributed to their classroom “Change for Change” jar with enthusiasm and dedication. With a goal of $200 in mind,

Wakefield Country Day School’s (WCDS) middle school boys’ flag football team faced a fast and competitive squad from John Paul the Great Montessori Academy in an impressive all-around performance on March 31 at home. Wakefield opened the game with a strong first drive, as eighth grader Jordan Dechabert connected with sixth grader Liam Carter for

Wakefield Country Day School students were once again among those recognized in the annual Storytelling Contest hosted by Foothills Forum and the Rappahannock News. The contest continues to highlight the power of local storytelling, inviting students to look closely at the lives and histories that shape their own communities. WCDS is proud to participate each

Wakefield Country Day School is honored to be featured with Head of School John Elmore in the 2026 issue of FACES of Culpeper magazine, which highlights the people and organizations that make up the local community. The article, as published by the Culpeper Times, is provided below. Over a half-century ago, Wakefield Country Day School

Middle school basketball touts strong start Wakefield Country Day School has opened its winter athletic season as student-athletes compete at a high level. The varsity girls’ basketball team held its home opener on Dec. 4 in a challenging matchup against Fresta Valley. Although the team fell short, it showcased resilience and steady growth throughout the

Under clear blue skies on the campus of Wakefield Country Day School in Huntly, and framed by the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, this year’s annual RAPPtoberfest came to life in true Bavarian spirit. In its sixth year, this year’s event was the most successful yet, featuring something for everyone – from axe throwing and a

With Wakefield Country Day School students returning for their fourth full week of classes, the new school year has already shown promise and opportunities. Exciting additions include new faculty members in the mathematics department and Jenny La Rotta in the Spanish language department. Students are also anticipating trips outside the classroom with a freshmen-sophomore ski

The halls of Wakefield Country Day School are noticeably quieter with students on summer break. However, the end of the school year doesn’t mark an end to progress. The school’s summer camp program is in full swing, the admissions office and administrative staff are as busy as ever, and new programs are in various stages

17-year-old helps launch mentorship program, storytelling platform After the fall of Kabul, Afghanistan, Mahdi Rahimi and Nahid Karimi were forced to flee their homes in late 2021. Now living and attending high school in the United States – with one of them landing in Rappahannock County – the teens are using their experiences as an

A record-breaking amount of more than $100,000 was raised for student scholarships at the Wakefield Country Day School (WCDS) Spring Auction on April 26. A big thank you to the community for its tremendous support! The Spring Auction is the school’s primary annual fundraiser, contributing to one of two streams of income the school receives:

Millions of insects, one hundred bird boxes, four organizations, zero pesticides. This is the brainchild of Virginia Working Landscapes Research Fellow Allison Huysman, who is leading research into the role of cavity-nesting birds in natural pest control. By identifying the species consumed by nest-box birds, quantifying pest populations with and without nest boxes, and examining

Arrivederci, Rappahannock! Twenty-five Wakefield Country Day School students and twenty faculty and parents spent their winter break on an unforgettable trek through Northern Italy, Southern France, with a jut in Switzerland, immersing themselves in ancient Roman history, rich cuisine, and some of the world’s most notable architectural wonders. Starting the 13-day trip off strong, the

In a celebration of dedication, passion and athletic excellence, Wakefield Country Day School honored two coaches — Suzanne Zylonis and Gustavo Tisera — by inducting them into the newly established school’s Coaching Hall of Fame. This initiative, spearheaded by Athletic Director Nile Patel, aims to recognize individuals who have made a lasting impact on the

In his first shot of the game on February 17, Wakefield Country Day School student Alfredo Martinez scored a three-pointer to put him over the 1,000-point mark in his high school basketball career. The team went on to trounce the Mountain View Christian Academy Conquerors 73-52. A senior and multi-sport athlete at WCDS, Martinez started

The Wakefield Wildlife Conservation Club (WWCC) is working to handbuild 100 bluebird boxes, and the students are more than halfway there. The boxes will be used in a scientific study by Dr. Amy Johnson of Virginia Working Landscapes, a program of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. The program promotes the conservation of

For the first time in the team’s 50+ year history, the Wakefield Country Day School Varsity Boys’ Soccer team in Huntly qualified for the state championships. These athletes showed up and showed out in every conference and non-conference game, securing their spot as the Division III 12th seed in the VISAA State Tournament. Despite falling