Published in: Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine - May 2025, p. 8 & Haymarket Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine - May 2025, p. 10

Wakefield’s small, connected community gives its camps a special edge. With a 12:1 camper-to-counselor ratio and educators who bring engaging lesson plans to life, every child receives thoughtful attention. “That sense of community really shines through.”  —Katie Vanderveldt

The end of the school year doesn't mean the end of learning—or fun—at Wakefield School in The Plains. Each summer, Wakefield transforms into a vibrant hub of creativity and adventure, offering a wide range of thoughtfully curated summer camp experiences.

Published in: Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine - April 2025, p. 10 & Haymarket Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine - April 2025, p. 10

“Children all need to be sparked and to be recognized as being creative. Sometimes people think that is only through art, and it’s not–there’s so much more!” —Tiffany Navin

At Wakefield School in The Plains, veteran kindergarten teachers Michelle Redabaugh and Tiffany Navin mine that most precious of all educational resources–curiosity–to ensure that their students get swept up on a daily basis by the mystery, the excitement, the creativity, and the pure fun of inquiry-based learning and investigation–which of course are the underpinnings of all things STEM.

Wakefield School welcomed renowned clinical psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Michael G. Thompson for an engaging conversation on raising resilient and responsible children in today’s rapidly changing world. Drawing on more than 50 years of experience, Dr. Thompson offered parents research-based strategies to foster emotional resilience, independence, and character. This event is part of Wakefield’s ongoing Parent Education series, bringing meaningful conversations and trusted experts to our school community.

This event has passed. Check out our upcoming Parent Education events here. 

Published in: Country Zest & Style - Winter 2025, p. 6

Imagine being live on stage in front of 200 people eagerly anticipating your performance. For most, this alone would be enough to scare them silly. Now, imagine you have no lines and don't even know what the story is yet. The show must be made up in the moment, with everyone watching.

It's called the art of improvisation, performing on the spot without a script, relying only on your fellow actors and the audience to support you. It's more than enough to give even the most seasoned performer a bad case of stage fright.

And yet, "improv" has taught me more about navigating life as a high school student than I ever could imagine. Every new show, like every moment in life, brings new challenges and opportunities to grow.

Published in: Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine - December 2024, pg. 10 & Haymarket Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine - December 2024, p. 8

“A day without art is a day of lost potential.” —Gary Genther

The Visual Arts stand as a pillar of academic excellence at Wakefield School, deeply intertwined with the school’s mission of fostering “character, curiosity, and clear voices.” Upper School Fine Arts teacher Gary Genther, a monumental presence at Wakefield since 1986, has been instrumental in shaping this program. “A day without art is a day of lost potential,” he emphasizes, underscoring his belief that every student possesses an “artistic personality” worth developing. 

Published in: Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine - November 2024, pg. 12 & Haymarket Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine - November 2024, p. 10

“Sixth graders built functional stairs for our Addams Family set. Were they perfectly square? No. But they were square and plumb enough…and after the show, those sixth graders brought their parents on stage and said, ‘Dad, I built this!’” —Michael “Jonz” Jones

Wakefield School in The Plains has a long history of celebrating the performing arts and their invaluable role in education, but for many years, one of the key lessons was, Hey, who needs a fancy facility? Great theater can be made ANYWHERE!...

With the completion nearly three years ago of its new state-of-the-art theater and auditorium, though, Wakefield has had the opportunity to expand the experiences it can offer its students...

Published in: Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine - November 2024, pg. 14 & Haymarket Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine - November 2024, p. 12

“If I asked the faculty to come in my classroom and do even half of what I ask the kids to do, they’d fight me all day! But the kids? They just come in and do it!” —Bess Putnam

Bess Putnam, the second-year Lower School music teacher at Wakefield School who was named Lower School Educator of the Year last spring, has designed a classroom environment so inviting as to make anyone want to start singing, dancing, and playing some music–all of which her students are invited to do each class period. Gazing around her room filled with color, texture, soft light, and especially, musical instruments, she says, “Most children are ready to jump in!”

Published in: Country Zest & Style - Fall 2024, p. 23

What do you get when you combine 63 young actors, an original two-act musical story and script, a state-of-the-art theater, and just 30 hours to put it all together?  At Summer Smash Up (SSU) musical theater camp at Wakefield School in The Plains, the answer was: Simply Magic.

Published in: Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine - October 2024, pg. 10 & Haymarket Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine - October 2024, p. 8

“The most important thing that we do is offer two languages, starting at age four! The earlier you start, the easier it is to learn a language—and not just learn, but develop a love and connection to language and to what it opens up for them.” —Connie Lalonde

Many were shocked last year when some universities began to announce the slashing or even the elimination of their world languages departments—but the trend is broader than just those headlines...

At Wakefield School, a mission-based commitment to the cultivation of global citizens drives a robust and vibrant World Languages (WL) Department that begins at the beginning: JK students enjoy twice-weekly world languages experience in both Spanish and French, continuing through Grade 7. In Grade 8, students choose either Spanish, French, or Latin for their required Upper School studies—two years of the same language required, four years recommended.