Wakefield Country Day School

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.nMy 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.nnAnyway, 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.

I have been a Wakefield Country Day School parent for six years. In that time I have observed the WCDS community quietly and humbly obeying the (Christian) First and Second Commandments. It is a loving community that cares deeply for its children.nnHigh expectations (in behavior, academics, service, sports, arts) and diversity are the norms; if error occurs there are consequences; forgiveness follows. The college application process is carefully customized for each senior. Staff turnover is minimal. Seasoned teachers are wise and joyous; new teachers are well qualified and enthusiastic. The school’s facilities are modest; it operates debt free and is steadily increasing its fundraising abilities.nnIf your child is college bound I highly recommend WCDS. You will respect the process; there are ample opportunities for parent participation. Most importantly your child will bloom and eventually graduate, prepared for college success.

This school is ok. I mean the area around it is pretty country style, but the school itself is a little old but is still holding up. Staff is decent. The lunch they serve there usually is pretty bad, but so is most schools. It is notable to say that this school has a medium fee for tuition in the school.

We could not be more pleased with or enthusiastic about Wakefield Country Day School. Last fall WCDS embraced our then 3-year old and he has thrived in an environment that he feels safe in, is loved, and has so many friends of all ages. The school's new Summer Bridge program was exactly what our now 4-year old needed to help him stay engaged during the summer and we are confident that he will have a great start to the upcoming school year thanks to the program and its instructor, Ashlyn. The Summer Bridge program and Ashlyn have been invaluable for our 2-year old's introduction to structured learning and helping him feel comfortable, safe, and most importantly - happy, away from home. Ashlyn has provided the perfect balance of play and learning in the most caring way and we could not be more grateful to her and the other members of WCDS's staff.