DAY SCHOOL
2026
Wakefield Country Day School John Elmore Over a half-century ago, Wakefield Country Day School opened its doors and has since maintained the remarkable distinction of ensuring that every single graduate earns acceptance to a strong four-year university.
Beyond its many offerings, the school’s sense of community is what struck John Elmore most when he took over as principal two years ago. A native of Montana who has led college-prep schools across the country, Elmore is impressed by how connected the student body Nestled in Rappahannock County, where the cows outnumber the is and by the strength of the alumni network. residents by a wide margin, this Preschool-through-12th-grade “There is something unique about having 3-year-olds and 12th institution was founded on the idea that education should nurture graders on the same campus,” Elmore said. “The little ones look up both intellect and character. With 200 students from five surrounding to everybody else and, frankly, the big kids step up. They know there counties and a student-teacher ratio of 8 to 1, students receive are little eyes watching, and that sense of community is pretty special.” individualized attention that shows in their outstanding academic Wakefield offers both financial aid and academic scholarships and record and readiness for college and beyond. takes juniors and seniors on multiple college visits across Virginia In addition to the rigorous academic curriculum expected of a prep each year. Its dedicated college counselor works closely with students school, students study several languages, including Latin, with to uphold the school’s 50-plus-year streak of 100-percent four-year English, German, and Spanish beginning in Preschool. Every student college acceptance. The senior class earns an average of $1.5 million is guaranteed to travel abroad during middle and upper school. in college merit scholarships annually. “Travel is Education” is a principle evident in the many field trips WCDS “We walk them through every step of the college application process: students take throughout their tenure. Highlights include the annual the courses they choose, recommendation letters, everything. It’s Journalism Class trip to New York City, the 10-day trip through Great the kind of attentive support you can only get with small class sizes,” Britain aligned with the middle school British History courses, and Elmore said. the “Walking in the Footsteps of Caesar” journey through Italy, which reinforces lessons from Pre-Renaissance History, Latin, and Art History. And the relationship doesn’t end when students matriculate. Wakefield alumni tend to stay in touch with the school. At a reunion held in The School also offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including Arlington last fall, alumni from the classes of 1994 through 2020 Bitcoin Club, Wildlife Conservation Club, Leo Club, and championshipgathered to reminisce. winning middle and varsity sports teams. Favorites among alumni include annual traditions such as Field Day, the Medieval Banquet, Bonfire Night, “Everyone was telling the same stories,” Elmore said, “We are small, and we are mighty!” the Winter Physics/Ski Seminar, and the Christmas Tree Lighting. 1059 Zachary Taylor Hwy, Huntly, VA 22640 • 540.635.8555 • wcdsva.org 27