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.
| Oldfields School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
Glencoe , 21152 | |
| Information | |
| Type | Independent, Day, Boarding |
| Motto | Fortezza, Umilitade, e Largo Core (Courage, Humility, and Largeness of Heart) |
| Established | 1867 |
| Head of school | David G. Perfield, Head of School |
| Faculty | 32 |
| Grades | 8-12 |
| Gender | All-Girls |
| Enrollment | 120 total 100 boarding 20 day |
| Average class size | 8 students |
| Campus size | 130 acres |
| Color(s) | Green and White |
| Mascot | Tiger and Dragon |
| Website | www.OldfieldsSchool.org |
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
Students at Oldfields take three 80-minute classes per day. There are no classes offered during 10–11 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.
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 30-40 students and the average class size is approximately 8 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 an average of 26 states and 12 countries such as Canada, China, Ecuador, Germany, Jamaica, Korea, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia.
Athletics
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:
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-Country | Basketball | Badminton |
| Dance | Dance | Dance |
| Field Hockey | Fitness & Conditioning | Golf |
| Riding | Indoor Track & Field | Lacrosse |
| Soccer | Pilates | Outdoor Track & Field |
| Tennis | Riding | Riding |
| Theater | Theater | Softball |
| Volleyball | Theater |
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