Wakefield Country Day School

"After attending WCDS for four years, I chose to remove my daughter from this school. I'm deeply disappointed in the inability of WCDS to provide an appropriate environment and proper support for students and their families. There are several specific concerns too complicated to elaborate here. However, I will share one of my most important complaints related to the safety and well being of young people attending this school: my daughter attended a class trip to Spain with WCDS in March 2023. During this time, she was removed from her host family’s home and placed in THE GARAGE of another home (without heat or access to WiFi to reach me) without my consent. I was told to be thankful that the school saved me the cost of flying my daughter home (before their scheduled flight) and this was the only option for my child. I immediately removed my child from WCDS upon their return from Spain. I later spoke with Mr. Larner, the head of school, who did not listen to my concerns, had zero sympathy, and down right refused to acknowledge the school/staff’s wrongdoing. It's infuriating to witness an educational institute demonstrate favoritism and be more invested in turning a profit than students’ progress. (For context, until her final year of enrollment at WCDS, my daughter had no negative history of behavioral or academic issues.) Since the incident with my daughter, I’ve spoke with at least five other parents who have had seriously negative experiences with this school. I do not recommend Wakefield Country Day School."

"I absolutely LOVE WCDS! My daughter started middle school there & I wish we would have started her in kindergarten. The curriculum is challenging, the teachers actually care and everyone is so welcoming. The kids have many opportunities that other schools don't offer; from travelling to internships and more! It's easy to see why WCDS's graduates are so successful after they leave. Would highly recommend!"

"After touring many schools for my children to attend, I knew I had found a home at Wakefield. The curriculum on the website was attractive, but it was the feel of the school that was the perfect fit. Students here are polite, genuine, and happy. I took three tours of this school before our first day, and it was the same every time. The staff not only know the students by name, they know these students as family. My son's first day of school was a huge deal for me, but I never doubted our choice. I was afraid of how he would react when I picked him up that first day. But when I saw him, he gave me a huge smile and said he loved his new school. I look forward to continuing here for many years!"

"I have always had a sense of how special this school is because, from the beginning, it was one of a very few places outside of our house in which our daughter has felt at home. As an intelligent and curious but also highly sensitive and empathetic person, she might have found it challenging to have both her intellectual and emotional needs met in an academic environment. And as you know, as a former homeschooling mother, I had a high bar for a school for my kids: it was very important to me that the environment foster a love of learning, establish a strong academic foundation through a rigorous classical education, encourage students to pursue their interests, encourage creativity and critical thinking, but most of all take an interest in – and help to develop – them as people. Wakefield has done all of those things for my kids, and more. I have seen this through my daughter's middle and high school years at Wakefield, and in the few short months that my son has been there this year. In a magical intersection of small class sizes, smart teachers who are invested in their subjects and students, and faculty and staff who care about the kids as individuals, Wakefield is a place where students can grow intellectually, emotionally and morally with the support and encouragement of the adults around them. My son, who attended public school for several years and started as an honor student but towards the end was struggling with attendance and grades, has been thriving at Wakefield. When I asked him why, he said, “It’s easier to do well at Wakefield, not because classes or tests are easier, but because teachers actually know the material they’re teaching rather than just teaching / reading out of a book. They actually explain things, so I understand my subjects now. That’s a big part of it. Also, the other kids want to learn, and for the most part are trying to do what’s right. It’s just a better environment.” It’s also been enormously helpful for him to have personal relationships with his teachers rather than just being an anonymous kid in a sea of students. Anyway, I’ve known all of this about Wakefield for some time, but it particularly struck me during the graduation ceremony last June when the time came for diplomas to be presented. I’ll admit that part of me expected the ceremony to be quite short because there were fewer than 30 students in the graduating class – how long could it take to award diplomas? But as each name was called, a faculty member gave a short tribute to that student: unique contributions, special interests, funny memories – in short, the ways in which the student had touched the school community and would be remembered. It was clear to me that each student at Wakefield is seen and appreciated for the person that they are, and that they each have an impact on the community just as the school community plays a significant role in their development. So I was filled with gratitude that day that my daughter (and now my son) have been part of the Wakefield family and have experienced this, that they’ve been prepared academically and nurtured personally at a school that is interested not only in cultivating minds, but also hearts."

"WCDS provides an atmosphere for all students to achieve their goals for the future. The director, Mrs. Lindstrom has brought successful educational concepts and new ideas and continues to promote the Wakefield Philosophy and one the best Classical Educations in Virginia. Every teacher gives so much to every student and goes the extra mile to help them achieve their best. My son has thrived at WCDS as he's been there for 14 years. This combination has resulted in our graduates attending the very best colleges in America."