Christchurch School is a college-preparatory boarding school in Christchurch, Virginia, founded in 1921 by the Episcopal Church Diocese of Virginia and highly regarded for its dynamic, place-based Great Journeys Begin at the River program. The school enrolls slightly more than 200 students, including boarding and day boys, and day girls, grades 9-12 and postgraduate. Day students number approximately 45% of the student body, and are generally evenly divided among boys and girls.
Christchurch School's scenic location on the banks of the Rappahannock River and in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed offers unparalleled opportunity for a thoughtfully developed curriculum (Great Journeys) that is experiential and hands-on. Led by expert scientists and respected environmentalists, students discover and make connections both inside and outside the classroom and throughout the integrated curriculum. Technology is a crucial part of the program, as also is hands-on application of concepts.
A recently published book by faculty member Dr. Dean Goodwin, Global Warming for Beginners, includes an experiment designed and refined by Christchurch students.
Students and faculty run the school's oyster farm, financed by a student-run Cans for Oysters recycling program. Christchurch offers a well-regarded Learning Skills Program. Over seventy-five percent of the faculty lives on campus. Faculty serve as coaches, advisors, and dorm parents.
The school is situated in the rural and tranquil tidewater area of Virginia, near the colonial port town of Urbanna, Virginia.
Admission to Christchurch School is based upon thorough review of the candidate's application, recommendations, questionnaires, transcripts, and a personal interview.
Christchurch is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, the National Association of Episcopal Schools, and the Virginia Association of Independent Schools.
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In the afternoons, life at Christchurch offers a huge variety of choices that enable every student to grow by being involved in the community. Students participate in four areas, each offering opportunities to grow in confidence and ability: Athletics, River and Outdoor, Community Service and Spiritual Life, and Campus Life.
The Christchurch School athletic program functions as an integral part of the co-curricular program. Lessons in sportsmanship, teamwork, commitment, and strong effort are emphasized in our program. Christchurch School is a member of the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association, the Virginia Prep League, the Virginia Commonwealth Conference, the Old Dominion Football Conference, the Virginia Interscholastic Sailing Association, and the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association. Teams at the Varsity and Junior Varsity level compete with other private and public schools. The varsity soccer team, ranked 3rd at the end of the 2009 regular season, swept through the playoffs knocking off the #2 and #1 ranked teams in the state, winning the 2009 VISAA State Championship. Christchurch then won the 2010 Lacrosse State Championship and repeated in 2011. The 2011 Football team was led by captains Pat Young, Carlos Gray, and Winthrop Homer to a undefeated season and a first time State Championship beating Potomac school (Mclean) 48-15