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Wakefield High School
4901 South Chesterfield Rd, Arlington, VA, 22206-1018 -  Map
tel: (703)228-6700
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School Overview:
Definition of Terms Wakefield High School
School Level High school
Grades Offered Grades 9 - 12
County Arlington County, VA
Students & Faculty
Total Students 1767 students
% Male / % Female 53%  /  47%
Total Classroom Teachers 115 teachers
Students by Grade
Grade 9 - 563 students
Grade 10 - 388 students
Grade 11 - 425 students
Grade 12 - 391 students
This School ( VA ) School Average
Teacher : Student Ratio 1:15 1:13
Students by Ethnicity
This School ( VA ) School Average
% American Indian n/a n/a
% Asian 10% 4%
% Hispanic 45% 8%
% Black 26% 27%
% White 18% 58%
% Unknown 1 % 4%
Additional Student Information
This School ( VA ) School Average
% Eligible for Free Lunch 35% 28%
% Eligible for Reduced Lunch 12% 7%
% Migrant Students Enrolled n/a n/a
School Performance:
( VA ) Statewide Testing Performance
School Statewide Performance View Education Department Test Scores
School District:
School District Name Arlington County Public s School District
This School's Agency ( VA ) District Average
Number of Schools Managed 32 4
Number of Students Managed 18,877 students 3,893 students
District Total Revenue $345,739,000 $33,339,000
District Expenditure $361,859,000 $35,891,000
District Revenue / Student $18,315 $9,974
District Expenditure / Student $19,169 $10,088
District Graduation Rates 85% 84%
School Notes:
  • Wakefield High School is one of three high schools located in Arlington, Virginia, and is just one block away from Alexandria.
  • It is a fully accredited high school based on Virginia's SOL examinations. There has always been a push for students to take AP courses, but there has been a stronger push in recent years since the inception of the AP Network.
  • Wakefield is the only high school in Arlington requiring all seniors to participate in a Senior Project prior to graduation. Wakefield also offers the Spanish Immersion Program, the only high school in Arlington to do so.
  • Wakefield has a strong taste for students to participate in artistic activities. Instrumental, choral, theatrical, and visual arts are prominent in the school's atmosphere.
  • Wakefield's athletes are nicknamed the Warriors and wear the colors kelly green, white, and black. The school participates in the Virginia High School League. The Warriors are represented by an image of a knight holding a sword, which was preceded by an Indian head until 2003. Although Wakefield sponsors teams without high honors, they are known to have fans with great spirit.
  • History: The school opened for the first time for the 1952-1953 school year.
  • And the school is administered by the Arlington Public Schools. In 2002, Wakefield became a fully accredited school based on the Virginia SOL examinations.
  • Alumni Hall of Fame: During the celebration of the school's 50th anniversary in 2003, induction to the school's Hall of Fame began.
  • Building Structure and Location: The school was built as a two-floored square building including two gyms, a cafeteria, and band room situated in different corners. The library is located in the center of the square, with an entrance available only from the first floor hallway between the two gymnasiums. The Main Office is connected to the library via a small hallway and has an entrance located between the music department and cafeteria. Directly across from the Main Office is another hallway connecting to the drama department and auditorium, which can also be accessed from outside the building. The second floor is purely academic, and the basement is used for physical education purposes and has various fine arts studios.
  • In 2005, the school repainted the halls so that each hall was a different color. North is red, south is yellow, east is green, and west is blue. This was done in case of any harm inflicted upon the school and so that halls know the when to move or evacuate.
  • One landmark near the school is the former Skyline Mall, which is now a Target Greatland. Another major landmark is the Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College, which is located only seconds from the high school.Homecoming: Homecoming is a pretty big deal at Wakefield. "Spirit Week" is also essential. Each of the five days has a different theme, and the students and faculty dress accordingly. Faculty also give out little trinkets for students to collect only if the student is dressed to theme. At the end of the week, the students with the most trinkets becomes the the Prince & Princess for homecoming. Another tradition is the Lobby Decorating Contest in which each class is assigned one of the four lobbies on the main floor and is to decorate it according to the homecoming theme. The winner of the contest receives a cash award. The week then concludes with a pep rally, parade, football game, and formal dance.
  • Diversity Week: Diversity Week is an important week at Wakefield. This week is just like homecoming, in which each day has a different theme. Students are to dress up in cultural attire and bring in cultural foods on the assigned days. Students are also allowed to bring in cultural music that is played during the school day. During the week, each third period is to design their classroom door to represent the cultural diversity within the classroom and within the school. Similar to the Lobby Decorating Contest, the most well decorated door on each floor wins a Donut Party hosted by Leadership students. At the end of the week, a dance is hosted by Leadership students and cultural music is played during the night.
  • All Night Grad Party: After graduation, graduates and guests are to participate in the Boat Party and Breakfast. Students are bussed to the Potomac Wharf and board the Spirit of the Potomac and partake in a three-hour boat ride. Usually, the main floor is for dancing and dining, the second floor is designed as a mock casino, and the upper deck is for outdoor lounging. At the end of the trip, the students are bussed back to Wakefield and are provided breakfast by mothers of other students and participate in other activities.
  • Tailgate Parties: Superfans usually host tailgate parties not only prior to home games, but in parking lots of rival high schools. The tradition began at the first tailgate party during the basketball season of 2004-2005, in which students parked at Washington-Lee's Route 66 parking deck prior to a varsity double-header. The second acquired the whole school to participate in a barbeque prior to the school's 2005 homecoming football game.
  • The Rock: To the likeness of neighboring Yorktown High School, a giant rock has been placed at the entrance of the outdoor athletic stadium. It is noted to be "tagged" with graduating years of 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 on various sides. Students are encouraged to tag the rock as years progress to show both class and school spirit.
  • Clubs and Activities: Wakefield offers many opportunities for students to participate in various clubs and activities to support their academics and challenge them to learn and grow outside the classroom. Such activities include:
  • Nationally Recognized: National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, French National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Virginia Junior Academy of Sciences, Forensics, Model U.N.
  • Scholastic Activities: Student Government Association, It's Academic, Math Team, Instrumental Music, Choral Music, Drama Club.
  • The Newspaper: The Chieftain: Wakefield's school-wide newspaper is known as The Chieftain. It is a course in journalism offered by the school and is produced solely by students. Stories covered include local and international news, school events, performing arts, athletic development, and the ever popular "Kiss-O-Gram"(student-to-student messages regarding Valentine's Day).
  • The Yearbook: Starstone: Starstone has been the title of the Wakefield's yearbook up until 2003 (the 50th anniversary) and has since been retitled year after year.
  • In 2004-2005, the yearbook was titled The Grass is Greener On Our Side, reflecting the new Astroturf planted in the outdoor stadium. Editors were going to pen a new title reflecting the success of the varsity boy's basketball team that year, but nothing was put forward.
  • Wakefield and It's Academic: Wakefield sponsors a team of students to participate in the locally televised quiz show, It's Academic. The team's faculty advisor is Scott McKeown. The Warriors have been sending the team to Scholastic Bowl tournaments (in addition to It's Academic) and have come home with multiple National District titles.
  • In the spring, the team hosts a tournament similar to the Saturday morning program for the other students and faculty of the school. They are to devise teams of 3 students and 1 faculty member of choice. Faculty most known to participate include Mr. Alfred Reid, Mr. Alan Beitler, Ms. Wendy Singer, and Mr. Thomas Cruger. It's Academic alumni are also known to come back and partake by reading questions or keeping scores. On the day of the tournament, teams are divided into two brackets, and play through an elimination tournament. The final two teams then play head-to-head in a closed-circuit televised event broadcast to the whole school. The winning team usually goes home with small trophies, as do selected players of superlative awards.
  • Games are usually played in four rounds: toss-up round, individual team round, faculty only round, and students only round. Questions include standard academic trivia, mathematic stumps, pop culture, and running jokes involving school faculty.
  • For the freshman of the school, there is a smaller tournament -- also headed by the It's Academic team -- known as the "Baby Brawl" with three teams representing each House.
  • Special Programs: The Freshman Foundations Program divides all freshman into four "houses" known as House I, House II, House III, and House IV. Each "house" has a team of teachers with one teacher to a subject or rather "foundation": English, math, world history, biology, and technology. Each house has its own schedule when it comes to classes, electives, and lunch. Freshman do not attend Career Center courses. There is also one "team" (known as Team-1) devised of its own team of teachers. However, this team is built for students only having to repeat the freshman year.
  • Wakefield's Academic Cohort Program identifies African American and Hispanic males in 9th grade who are capable of taking a more demanding course load. These students are supported through graduation. They meet weekly with our gifted Coordinator, a school counselor, and social worker to lend support to each other as they tackle the demanding coursework.
  • Lunch Labs are provided to the students in all subject areas and offered only during lunch. Students are to go to these labs in an effort to develop their academic lack in the content area (i.e. make up tests, get homework assistance, study, etc.). Some labs are also offered throughout the day and after school.
  • The Arlington Career Center offers technical courses served under: Business & Communication, Industry & Engineering, and Health & Human Services.
  • AP Network: Wakefield's Instructional Leadership Team can take credit for changing the way teachers think about just who the AP student is. Formerly, the Advanced Placement students were viewed to be those at the top of the class with the highest GPAs. These students typically took 2 or more Advanced Placement classes and were highly self-motivated. Currently, more students are enrolling in AP courses as result of staff initiatives.
  • The "Advanced Placement Program (AP®)" -- sponsored by the College Board -- offers high school students the opportunity to take college-level courses and possibly receive credits when they enter college. Currently, AP exams are offered in 38 subjects. In 2005, approximately 1.2 million students took more than 2.1 million exams, and over 2,000 universities worldwide use the AP Program to some extent.
  • Today, it is universally acknowledged that the greatest predictor of college graduation is participation in rigorous, college-level (AP) courses in high school. As such, Wakefield encourages all students who are willing and interested to take these courses-- as we believe that such courses are designed for the prepared and not simply the "gifted" student. The AP Network, which began as an Exemplary Project approved by the Arlington County School Board in the spring of 2004, is rooted in this belief.
  • Since the Network's inception, the faculty and staff of Wakefield have been "networking" and creating numerous academic programs to introduce pre-AP and AP courses. Among these programs are the Foundations Pre-AP Program, the Pre-AP Bridge Program, the AP Summer Bridge Program for upperclassmen, and the AP Study Seminar.
  • Senior Project: Wakefield is the only school in Arlington that requires students to complete a Senior Project as a requirement for graduation. As a junior, each student is to select a topic of interest in which he/she is to have approved. Students may begin research during the summer before senior year. However, all papers must be written and verified during the academic year. At the start of the seniors' academic year, students select a date in which they are to present his/her project giving them a time-frame in which papers are to be submitted. During the year, the student then decides on a panel (comprised of one pre-determined faculty member, one expert in the field, one person from the community, and another fellow senior) who will grade the project. Those who do not receive a "pass" or higher will report to Summer Institute to complete the missing requirements.
  • Testing: Wakefield administers the SOL tests for the state of Virginia.
  • Wakefield offers the PSAT free for students in grades 10 and 11. For students wishing to take the SAT, a preparatory course is offered at the school, as well as the actual examination. In 2005, the average SAT score was a 977 (480 in Verbal; 497 in Math). However, Wakefield does not offer the ACT.
  • Wakefield has always committed itself to making the AP exam affordable for its students. Now that the fee is paid by the school system, it takes the burden off of Wakefield's local budget and allows all AP students to test for free.
  • Foreign Languages: The Spanish Immersion program allows students to continue taking challenging courses involving the Spanish language. In the past, students have had part of the entire curriculum in Spanish, however, the high school level of Spanish Immersion allows students to develop their ability to both read, speak, and think in courses including Spanish Literature and AP Spanish. Starting in 2006, immersion students are privileged to study abroad in universities of various Spanish speaking countries.
  • Wakefield also offers French, German, Latin, and Italian.
  • Visual Arts: Wakefield bases most of its elective education on the visual arts. Ms. Wendy Singer has headed the school's Art Department and introduced various medias including easel art, ceramics, sculpture, and photography. Singer encourages students to participate in non-scholastic competitions and some have come back with high honors.
  • Performing Arts: Wakefield has also spawned a generation of students in the performing arts. In the winter of 2004, Wakefield introduced its newly renovated auditorium, now called the "Center of Performing Arts". This houses all performing arts including instrumental, choral, and theatrical.
  • The Marching Warriors compete 3-4 times a season and have received multiple grade III honors, including with VBODA. During their season, they also play in several parades including Arlington's Neighborhood Day Parades and Randolph Elementary School's annual Halloween Parade. In 2002, the Marching Warriors traveled out of state to participate in a competitive parade.
  • All the instrumental and choral groups -- including the String Orchestra, Band, and Choir -- compete twice annually amongst other schools both at the District 12 level in the fall and on an out-of-state trip in the spring. Respectively, the groups come home with grade I, grade III, and grade II honors. Other competitive spin-offs include Jazz Band and Madrigals. Symphonette and Blues Band are non-competitive but are offered to play in community functions.
  • Wakefield's Drama Club performs in three different performances per year, including a fall drama production, a competitive One-Act production in the winter, and its more popular spring musical, all of which spawn award-winning performances. The spring musical competes annually amongst DC Metropolitan high schools in a formal ceremony for Cappies, awards similar to the Tonys. They also have a partnership with Arlington's Signature Theater.
  • Athletics: Wakefield's athletic department competes through the Virginia High School League. It is headed by Ms. Noel Deskins and Mr. Bob Strauss. The teams wear the colors kelly green, white, and black.
  • Boys Athletics: Cross Country, Golf, Football, Cheerleading, Basketball, Wrestling, Track and Field, Swim & Dive, Soccer, Lacrosse, Baseball, Tennis, Crew.
  • Girls Athletics: Drill Team, Cross Country, Cheerleading, Volleyball, Field Hockey, Basketball, Track and Field, Swim & Dive, Soccer, Lacrosse, Softball, Tennis, Crew.
  • Interscholastic: Forensics, It's Academic, Math Team, Model U.N., Jr. R.O.T.C., VJAS, Marching Warriors, Instrumental Music, Choral Music, Drama Club.
  • Pool and Stadiums: Wakefield High School owns and manages its own swimming pool. During the week, it is used for physical education for the students of Wakefield and for students of neighboring middle and elementary schools. Other times, it is used publicly for the community at large. The community does not have a team to represent the public pool, but is represented by the Warriors' swim and dive teams.
  • Starting in 2002, Arlington County was to spend well over $700,000 on the implant and maintenance of new Astroturf in various athletic fields and stadiums. In 2004, Wakefield's outdoor stadium was the first of the three Arlington high schools with this change. Washington-Lee High School and Yorktown High School had their fields implanted in 2005 and 2006, respectively.
  • In 2004, Wakefield completed the construction of the girls' softball field. This was the first time the two sports, softball and baseball, were segregated in the history of Warrior athletics.
  • Warrior Fight Song: Wakefield, your Warriors will always be true for we will fight and spread your glory through. FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! Come, let us sing out the Wakefield battle cry! With thunderbolts and tomahawks, we'll make your name and spread your fame. Wakefield, we're all for you!.
  • Varsity Boy's Basketball: Wakefield Athletics entered a new era in 2002 with the hiring of coach Tony Bentley to head the Varsity Boys Basketball team. Bentley, a life-long Arlingtonian, had previously been an assistant coach at rival Washington-Lee High School.
  • In his first season, Bentley coached his new team to a 13-13 season. In the following season, Bentley had more success and took his team to the National District Championship. However, in the following game of the team's first Northern Region Tournament in recent years, the Warriors were defeated and ended the season at 19-6.
  • Following the success of the previous seasons, Bentley and most of the starters -- including 5 seniors -- returned to the 2004-2005 season with high hopes. Bentley coached the team to a perfect record during the regular season and led them to their second consecutive National District Title. They then went on to become Northern Region and play through the first round of the VHSL AAA State tournament. The Cinderella season came to an end when the team lost in a semi-final game just short of the state championship. The final tally came to 28-1. For that last game, students were granted permission to travel to Richmond and cheer the team to an almost-certain victory. The spirit of the game also brought fans from neighboring high schools Washington-Lee, Yorktown, and H-B Woodlawn to travel with the Warriors.
  • The boys are still quite successful, but they have yet to repeat the full success of the 2004-2005 season.
  • Early in the school's history, the Wakefield choir released albums of recorded concerts. Just as recordable cds are offered in various colors, these LPs were released in kelly green.
  • On a high school tour early in their career, the boy band, Backstreet Boys, once performed in the assembly.
  • In the hallway to the principal's office (located in a private corridor between the library and main offices), the walls are covered with pennants of every single college and university the graduates of WHS has attended.
  • For some time, Wakefield students nicknamed the Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College as "Wakefield University" because of the number of students who study there after graduation.
  • In 2003, alumnus Brad Beck (class of 2002) signed with the rookie baseball team, the Mesa Angels of Arizona, after pitching with Montgomery College for two years. In 2004, he moved up one level to the amateur league and signed with the Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles.
  • The Warriors welcomed the more popular Superfans during the Varsity Football season of 2005. The term Superfans is still used today when referring to a single fan with Warrior Pride or to the slew of fans at any interscholastic activity.
  • During the Varsity Boys Basketball season of 2004-2005, an H-B Woodlawn student captured the team's success both on and off the court in a short film entitled Remember the Warriors (a play on the award winning film Remember the Titans).
  • In the spring of 2006, Wakefield was granted the Inspiration Award by the College Board, reflecting the inception of the AP Network and as one of the country's Most Improved High Schools. Only three high schools are granted this honor every year. Along with Wakefield in 2006 was John Tyler High School of Tyler, Texas and Hobbs High School of Hobbs, New Mexico.
  • The 2006 Varsity Football team won the school's first homecoming game playing against National District opponent J.E.B. Stuart High School with a final tally of 44-0. This was the first homecoming win for the Warriors since 1995.
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School Zip Code:
About This Zip Code (22206)
School Zip (22206) (VA) State Average
Population (Approximate) 19,000 people 6,532,353 people
% (age 25+) w/College Degree 63% 26%
Population Average Age 33 years old 35.7 years old
Average Household size 2.1 persons 2.5 persons
Median Household Income $61,239 $50,207
Avg. # of Rooms in Household 4.7 rooms 6.0 rooms
Median Age of Housing Structure 55 years old 34 years old
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Median Value of Housing Unit
Zipcode (22206)



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% Owning / % Renting 47% / 53% 67% / 33%
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  Nearby Schools:
1. T. C. Williams High School - 2893 students - view location
2. Washington Lee High School - 1756 students - view location
3. Thomas Jefferson High School - 1738 students - view location
4. Stuart High School - 1519 students - view location
5. Yorktown High School - 1859 students - view location
View all schools in: Arlington Town, Arlington County, Zip 22206 
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Note: Data has been gathered from several government and commercial data sources. School data reflects years 2002-04 statistics (most recent years available). Area and demographic data reflects year 2000 statistics. Public School Review does not ensure the timeliness or accuracy of the information on this site.

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