Wakefield Awarded National Grant to Advance Faculty Excellence

March 17th, 2026

Wakefield Awarded National Grant to Advance Faculty Excellence

We’re proud to share meaningful national recognition at Wakefield School.

Wakefield School has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Edward E. Ford Foundation—one of the most respected philanthropic organizations in independent education—recognizing schools that are shaping the future of teaching and learning.

National Recognition for Teaching Excellence

At Wakefield, excellence in teaching is intentional. Our educators take initiative, embrace growth, and continually pursue mastery in service of their students.

We are proud to share that Wakefield has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Edward E. Ford Foundation, one of the most respected philanthropic organizations in independent education. This highly competitive national recognition is awarded to a small number of schools each year and reflects those poised to shape the future of teaching and learning both within their own communities and across the broader educational landscape.

Selected Among the Nation's Leading Schools

Selected as one of only 18 schools nationwide to receive the award this year, Wakefield is also among a select few schools to have earned two E.E. Ford grants within a four-year span. In fact, only two schools nationwide have received multiple Ford grants in the past five years — an extraordinary vote of confidence in Wakefield’s vision and the leadership of our faculty.

About the Edward E. Ford Foundation

Founded in 1957, the Edward E. Ford Foundation is dedicated to strengthening teaching and learning in independent schools. The Foundation supports initiatives that advance promising educational practices, elevate faculty leadership, and extend impact beyond a single campus.

The application process itself is highly selective and rigorous. Schools undergo a multi-stage vetting process, including an initial proposal, a detailed review with the Head of School, and an in-person campus visit, before being invited to apply. Grant awards range from $25,000 to $100,000, with Wakefield receiving the Foundation’s highest level of support.

Why Wakefield Was Selected

Wakefield’s award reflects the transformative potential of our Campus Master Plan and our deep commitment to faculty development.

It affirms our vision for a 60-acre campus that functions as a living laboratory where learning is experiential, interdisciplinary, and deeply connected to the world beyond the classroom. At its core, however, this recognition is rooted in something even more fundamental: our faculty and our commitment to preparing them for what education now demands.

Preparing Educators for What Comes Next

As the pace of change accelerates, shaped by emerging technologies, evolving disciplines, and global complexity, what it means to be educated continues to shift. To fully realize the promise of our evolving campus, we must invest in our teachers now so they are equipped to lead what comes next.

“By prioritizing our teachers today, we ensure our future campus fulfills its promise as a powerful engine for excellent teaching, deep learning, and meaningful engagement with the world,” said Wakefield Head of School Ashley Harper. “This recognition affirms our commitment to investing in teachers as the driving force behind an exceptional Wakefield education.”

In awarding this grant, the Edward E. Ford Foundation recognizes both Wakefield’s forward-thinking approach to education and the leadership of our faculty in shaping the future of teaching and learning.

Investing in the Educators Who Bring Learning to Life

The grant will fund professional learning grants and stipends for Wakefield faculty, supporting conferences, workshops, and advanced study that deepen expertise and strengthen instructional practice.

These opportunities will empower our teachers to:

Advance professional mastery and collaboration to sustain high-quality instruction
Lead place-driven learning that activates the full potential of our evolving campus
Launch mission-aligned programs and curricular innovation, including interdisciplinary and real-world learning experiences
Align with the Campus Master Plan, ensuring new spaces and ideas are activated with purpose and academic excellence

Importantly, this initiative will also establish a permanently endowed fund for faculty development, ensuring that this investment continues to support Wakefield educators and the students they serve for generations to come.

Unlocking a Transformational Investment

Like all E.E. Ford grants, this award is designed to multiply impact. Wakefield must raise a $100,000 community match, unlocking a total $200,000 investment in faculty development.

This effort will take center stage at our 30th Anniversary Gala Auction on Saturday, April 11, 2026, during Raise the Paddle—a signature moment when our community rallies behind a shared, mission-driven priority. This year, Raise the Paddle focuses on meeting this match and investing in the educators who bring Wakefield’s mission to life.

A Defining Commitment to Wakefield’s Future

This grant represents more than recognition. It is a call to action and a defining investment in Wakefield’s future.

As we look ahead, our focus is not simply on how our campus evolves, but on how it elevates teaching, deepens learning, and strengthens real-world connections. By supporting our educators today, we reinforce the foundation of what makes a Wakefield education distinctive.

We invite you to be part of this effort—whether at the Gala or online. Every gift brings us closer to unlocking this transformational opportunity for our faculty.

Support Raise the Paddle