The Feel of Wakefield

Last week was a special week at Wakefield School. Sunday marked the beginning of our visit from the VAIS (Virginia Association of Independent Schools) Accreditation Team. Every ten years schools accredited by VAIS must complete an extensive self-study which is submitted to VAIS who then send a team of our peers from other VAIS schools to observe and evaluate our program based on eighty-one accrediting standards. The ten year reaccreditation process is simultaneously exhausting and exhilarating. Our entire community spent the last year examining our mission and our programs’ alignment with that mission. Self examination is always a hard task to undertake because it requires one to look closely and critically at a program held dear over which we toil every day. Despite our confidence in our program and pride in our community it is nerve wracking anytime outsiders come on campus to evaluate us – would the visitors think that we are as special as we think we are?


However, once the visit began I did not find myself thinking about my upcoming meetings with members of the visiting committee or really even wondering what they were thinking about us, I was too busy being awed by my peers and their presentations to the committee. On Sunday I heard three of my colleagues describe to the visitors, and the rest of the faculty, the ways in which we develop capable, ethical and articulate citizens - our mission. Their presentations actually gave me goose bumps. Mr. Zontine, veteran literature and composition teacher, described the way in which Wakefield’s culture of achievement encourages students to do their best, the peer pressure is to do one’s work rather than do as little as possible to get by in class. Alison Sowers, class of 2000, told us about how well prepared she was to articulate her ideas, particularly in writing, when she arrived at college. She shared that she and her classmates were the most sought after proof-readers at their respective colleges and universities because of both their grasp of grammar and their ability to structure their ideas in a compelling and logical manner. She said that she takes pride in knowing how to diagram a sentence and understanding parts of speech that many people don’t know even exist! Finally, Mrs. Reedy, a longtime third grade teacher, described Wakefield’s community by describing it as a family – she said that she considers her colleagues and the parents of her students to be her family (she was nearly in tears as described her love of the school and how close she feels to the community of people here). Mrs. Reedy spoke of raising our students to be aware of the way they treat one another and the role that the adults play in making those lessons authentic – just like a real family! These presentations reminded me, and many of my colleagues, just why we came to Wakefield in the first place.

The visit from the accreditation committee concluded on Wednesday with a faculty meeting at which the chair shared some of the committee’s observations. He told us to cherish the fact that our entire community, students, parents, faculty, board of trustees, and alumni, all know and embrace the mission of the school. He reminded us that it is a rare thing, that not even all of the members of the visiting committee could make the same comment about their own schools. He also reminded us that our community is keenly aware of the accomplishments of departments and students across the curriculum. For example, the committee regularly heard from faculty outside of the art department how impressive the work of the art department is, most specifically the recent theater production of Macbeth. Finally, he told us how lucky we are to have Peter Quinn as our Headmaster. He told us that Mr. Quinn is one of the most highly respected Headmasters in Virginia and that whenever he is at meetings of heads of school he speaks with great pride about Wakefield’s community and programs. While we all know that Mr. Quinn is a rare leader it was wonderful to hear that his peers also recognize his genuine regard for his schools, its students, parents, and teachers.

If I had to sum up my thoughts as we ended the reaccreditation process it would be that I found my belief affirmed that Wakefield is a very special school whose community is made up of true believers and that while Wakefield’s paper profile is impressive in its own right it is the intangible “feel” of the community that is most impressive and unique. The fact that the fabric of our community is the real key to successful execution of our ambitious mission is wonderful, and what every school strives for and few actually achieve, but it is a difficult conundrum for the Director of Admissions since I have to get people on campus before they can fully appreciate all that our school offers to its students.

So, come visit soon and feel the Wakefield difference.

Sarah