Oldfields School

Oldfields School is a college preparatory school for girls in grades 8 through 12 in Sparks Glencoe, Maryland. It was founded in Baltimore County, Maryland in 1867 by Anna Austen McCulloch and is the oldest girls' boarding school in Maryland.

Oldfield's School has approximately 180 boarding and day students. The school's campus is situated in rural northern Baltimore County, and is located within walking distance of the Gunpowder River and the Northern Central Railroad Trail. Among the School's notable graduates was Wallis Warfield Simpson, who became the Duchess of Windsor.

Academics

The academic mission of Oldfields School is to provide an environment where each and every girl to make the most of her academic and personal potential. The academic program is designed to be rigorous and challenging, as well as personal and supportive, allowing each girl to expand and apply her strengths while developing strategies to manage her weaknesses. Oldfields School has been renowned both domestically and internationally for their inherent ability to tailor their academic curriculum. Five critical components include : *1. Unique Academic Schedule, *2. 5:1 Student to Teacher Ratio, *3. Flexible Course Curriculum Including Honors Courses, *4. Abundant Opportunity for Academic Support, and *5. Exceptional Understanding of Learning Styles.

Students at Oldfields take three 80-minute classes per day, allowing them to master and immerse themselves in each subject. There are no classes offered during 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM daily, allowing time for students to meet with teachers for extra-help or additional enrichment in specific subject material. Classes are year-long and one full credit.

Matriculation

Members of the classes of 2008-2015 have earned acceptances at colleges and universities such as Bates College, Boston University, Brown University, California Institute of the Arts, Catholic University, College of Charleston, Clemson University, Colby College, University of Colorado at Boulder, Columbia University, University of Connecticut, Cornell University, Denison University, Dickinson College, Duke University, Fordham University, George Mason University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Goucher College, Hamilton College, High Point University, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Hofstra University, James Madison University, University of Kentucky, Kenyon College, University of Maryland, University of Massachusetts, University of Michigan, Mount Holyoke College, New York University, New York Institute of Technology, University of New Hampshire, University of North Carolina, Parsons School of Design, Pennsylvania State University, Rhode Island School of Design, University of Richmond, Savannah College of Art and Design, Syracuse University, Temple University, Towson University, Tufts University, University of Vermont, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Wake Forest University, Washington and Lee University, Wesleyan University, Wheaton College, College of William and Mary, University of Washington, and University of Wisconsin.

Signature Program: The May Program

The May Program is a signature hallmark of an Oldfields education. Officially inaugurated in 1971, the May Program is a two-week experiential learning program where students partake in faculty-designed academic, cultural, and community service programs. Students participate in international, domestic, and local programs. The May Program offerings change each year; however, popular 2014/2015 offerings included: The Lake Placid Olympic Experience (Lake Placid, NY) where students spend one week living and training at the United States Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY, The Joy of Teaching where students spend two weeks student-teaching at local public schools, World War II where students travel to Europe to study World War II by traveling to London, Normandy, Amsterdam, and Germany, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary where students travel to Utah and spend two weeks working with rescue animals, Boston College Tour where students travel to Boston, MA to visit colleges and universities and to meet with college admission representatives.

Student Body

Oldfields School enrolls students in grades 8-12. Each grade has approximately 40 students and the average class size is approximately 8-10 students. 80% of the students are boarding; 20% of the students are day. International students represent 16% of the campus population. Financial aid is offered to students who meet the guidelines and 28% of students receive financial assistance. 180 students come from 27 states such as Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington, DC, Wisconsin and 12 countries such as Canada, China, Ecuador, Germany, Jamaica, Korea, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia.

Athletics

Athletics have been central to the educational philosophy at Oldfields School for more than a century. In keeping with the School's philosophy and mission, Oldfields athletics emphasize the value of each individual and respect for others. Each student is required to participate in athletic activity for each of the three seasons. Participation can be in the form of a team sport, the equestrian program, or co-curricular offerings in theater, dance, fitness and conditioning, pilates or yoga. All offerings meet five days a week and are considered regular school commitments. Offerings by season include:

In October 2014 and 2015 the Oldfields School Cross-Country team won the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland C Conference Championships. In 2014, the Oldfields School Badminton team won the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland B Conference Championships.

Facilities

• 1. Rodney-Hook Hall, houses all academic classrooms, labs, art, ceramics, and digital art studios, art gallery, faculty offices, the George S. Nevens Library, and the Brougher E-learning Center.
• 2. Old House, built in the 1700s, the modest clapboard home stands as the oldest building at Oldfields and is home to the Head of School's office, the Admission Office, the Business Office, and the Development Office.
• 3. Athletic Center, houses the newly renovated gymnasium, dance studio, fitness center, pilates studio, and athletic training facility.
• 4. The Stable, is home to 30 12'x 12' stalls. The riding program is also home to 2 outdoor arenas, dressage schooling ring with sand footing, a large jumping arena with perma-flex footing, and a cross-country course which includes banks, ditches, and combinations.
• 5. McCulloch Commons, is home to the student center, dining hall, mail room, and school store.
• 6. David Niven Theatre, where daily Morning Meetings occur in addition to theater, dance, and musical performances.
• 7. Indoor Riding Arena, is a 120 x 200 feet and 24,000 square feet facility with spectator seating, restroom facility, and a meeting room. The surface consists of the sand and Eurofelt Prime that the Oldfields horses prefer.
• 8. Carroll House, dormitory housing 28 students and three faculty members
• 9. Jane House, dormitory housing 20 students and three faculty members; named after past Chair of the Board of Trustees, Jane Isdale Schaefer '57
• 10. Sturgis, dormitory housing 35 students and three faculty members
• 11. Centennial, dormitory housing 46 students and four faculty members

Notable alumnae

• Niki de Saint Phalle, sculptor
• Wallis, Duchess of Windsor
• Alice du Pont Mills, Du Pont heiress
• Abir Muhaisen, princess of Jordan
• Helen Pitts-Blasi, American trainer of thoroughbred race horses
• Renée du Pont, Du Pont heiress, daughter of Senator T. Coleman Dupont
• Mary Kirk, whose family founded Kirk Silverware
• Heidi duPont, Du Pont heiress, graphic designer
• Natalie duPont Lyon, Du Pont heiress, daughter of Senator Reynolds duPont
• Chaia King, author and daughter of Larry King, TV personality
• Diandra Luker, former wife of actor Michael Douglas
• Linda Fitzpatrick, flower child killed in the 1967 "Groovy Murders"
• Gay Griscom-Mehegan, Jazz pianist, composer, wife of Jazz Giant John Mehegan

External links

• Oldfields School
• The Association of Boarding Schools profile