At Wildwood School, we believe success in today's world is no longer defined by how many facts and figures one can hold in his or her head. Instead, children must learn how to learn—to adapt, collaborate, and gain perspective in a world that is increasingly interconnected. Wildwood students begin to develop these skills in kindergarten and continue through 12th grade.
As a nationally-acclaimed independent day school founded on a progressive, research-based approach, Wildwood emphasizes academic excellence and instills a genuine passion for learning. Armed with knowledge, creativity, curiosity, and passion, Wildwood students graduate with the power to make a difference in the world.
At the elementary school, kindergarten and 1st grade are combined in multi-age classes called Pods that provide children with a supportive learning environment that nurtures their intellectual, social, and emotional abilities. Second through 5th grades build on this foundation through small classes that give attention to students' progress in every area of development. Our middle and upper school programs further develop thoughtful learners and engaged citizens through a program of academic mastery, the arts, athletics, and community involvement.
The school's multidisciplinary curriculum is designed to prepare students to excel in college and in life. Students are taught to evaluate evidence, consider diverging perspectives, and seek connections before they formulate conclusions. They learn to view competition through the lens of a healthy perspective and recognize that winning—on the field or in the classroom—is dependent not on proving themselves better than others, but on how deftly they are able to collaborate with and leverage the strengths of members of a team.
Community involvement is a hallmark of our program, and students are guided as they provide age-appropriate service to others. Additionally, Wildwood's Outreach Center supports our commitment to public purpose by extending our best practices to public schools throughout the nation. The Center holds workshops, coordinates site visits, mentors small schools, and publishes support materials.
Wildwood embraces multiculturalism, recognizing and appreciating the many identities of students, parents, and faculty. By fostering a culture that is supportive and inclusive to all members, Wildwood enables its students to become self-aware, intellectually curious, confident, and socially responsible.