EDUCATION
Rappahannock County Public Schools
School board meets 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Rappahannock County High School, usually in the band room. Rappahannock County High School Principal: Karen Ellis 12576 Lee Hwy. Washington, VA 22747 540-227-0745 Rappahannock County Elementary School Principal: Ben Temple 34 Schoolhouse Road.. Washington, VA 22747 540-227-0200 Rappahannock County Public Schools Shannon Grimsley, superintendent. The school division’s administrative offices are at 6 Schoolhouse Rd., Washington; 540-227-0023. For more information, email arogers@ rappahannockchools.us or visit rappahannockschools.us.
Private Schools
Wakefield Country Day School (WCDS) WCDS, a preschool through 12th-grade college preparatory school, has been serving Rappahannock County for over 40 years. WCDS believes students achieve the most when they are challenged to excel and held to the highest standards. The school's motto, Virtue and Wisdom, reinforces its commitment to the intellectual and moral development of each and every child. At 1059 Zachary Taylor Hwy., Flint Hill. Contact: admissions@wcdsva. org or 540-635-8555, or visit wcdsva.org. Hearthstone School A pre-K through 12th grade school inspired by the Waldorf method of education, Hearthstone’s curriculum is designed to nurture and educate the whole child, “head, heart and hands.” Two miles west of Sperryville on U.S. 211. Contact head of school Jane Mullan at 540-987-9212 or info@ hearthstoneschool.org, or visit hearthstoneschool.org. Belle Meade School Adjacent to a B&B and a working farm at 353 F.T. Valley Rd., south of Sperryville, Belle Meade School’s mission combines academic excellence and sustainable living. Curriculum for grades 6 through 12 includes farming, social responsibility and working to create harmony with the land, a program where a student can “grow in mind, body and spirit.” Contact head of school Susan Hoffman at 540-987-8970 or visit bellemeadeschool.org.
Daycare/Preschool
Baby Bear Daycare Baby Bear Daycare is a fullservice daycare and preschool using the A Beka Book Curriculum and Kindergarten Readiness program. It is a Virginia state-licensed, first-
aid- and CPR-certified, MAT-certified center that offers a full range of daycare and preschool for your child. Open 7 to 6 weekdays at 30 Main St., Sperryville, with a fenced play yard. Call director Connie Reid at 540-987-9644. Child Care and Learning Center The only nationally accredited daycare and preschool in the surrounding 10-county area, CCLC’s programs range from infants to pre-kindergarten as well as after-school care. Full-time summer camp for school age children. Open 7 to 6 weekdays at 12763 Lee Hwy., Washington. Contact director Fred Catlin at 540-675-3237 or visit rappcclc.com.
Educational Foundation
Headwaters is a community-sponsored nonprofit whose mission is to foster educational excellence in Rappahannock County by cultivating the cooperative spirit of the whole community to benefit all students. Core programs include: Next Step (in collaboration with Rappahannock County Public Schools) career and college access program; Mini-Grants for teachers; Farm-to-Table (with RCPS and other community organizations, supports classes in agriculture and horticulture plus outreach garden projects with Food Pantry and the Senior Center); the Starfish Mentoring Program; and an After-School Program in partnership with RCES. Contact director Kevin Brandriff at 540-987-3322 or director@headwatersfdn.org, or visit headwatersfdn.org.
Homeschooling in Rappahannock
If you wish to homeschool your child or wish to claim a religious exemption, you must send a letter of intent each school year (before Aug. 15) to the public school division. Contact superintendent Shannon Grimsley at 540-2270023 for more information.