Education

Rappahannock County Public Schools

School board meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Rappahannock County High School, usually in the band room.

Rappahannock County High School

Principal: James E. Swindler II 12576 Lee Hwy. Washington, VA 22747 540-227-0745

Rappahannock County Elementary School

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 N/K through 12th grade school inspired by the Waldorf method of education, Hearthstone’s curriculum is designed to nurture and educate the whole child, “heart, head and hands.” We also offer enrichment classes for all ages, including homeschoolers and adults. Two miles west of Sperryville on U.S. 211. Contact director Jane Mullan at 540-987-9212 or info@ hearthstoneschool.org, or visit hearthstoneschool.org

Belle Meade Montessori School

Belle Meade Montessori School provides an exceptional education for students preschool

through high school. Located in Sperryville Virginia, the program emphasizes individual responsibility as well as social and environmental consciousness through experiential learning. Grounded in the ideals of sustainable living, Belle Meade strives to create an atmosphere where students can discover their passions, express their creativity, develop responsibility, forge meaningful relationships, and learn to be contributing members of a community. The school welcomes students from all backgrounds with or without prior Montessori experience. Accredited by Virginia Independent School Association (VISA). For more information, call 540-987-8970, email school@bellemeadeschool.org, or visit www.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 child care and preschool in the surrounding 10-county area, CCLC’s programs range from infants to preschool as well as after school care. Full-time summer camp for children ages 5-12. Open 7 to 6 weekdays at 12763 Lee Hwy., Washington. Call 540-6753237 or visit rappcclc.org

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; Educational Enrichment Grants for teachers; Farm-to-Table (with RCPS and other community organizations, supports classes in agriculture and horticulture plus outreach garden projects with the Food Pantry and the Senior Center); the Starfish Mentoring Program; and an After-School Program in partnership with RCES. Romp-n-Ride is a program for preschool children and their parents that encourages socialization and education. Summer Chorus brings together youth from Rappahannock County and the surrounding area to learn and sing together for two weeks, ending in a final concert at the end of June. Contact director Kevin Brandriff at 540-227-5170 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 Dr. Shannon Grimsley at 540227-0023 for more information.

BY HOLLY JENKINS