Wakefield Public Schools
The mission of Wakefield Public Schools is to foster close commitments between families and the schools and to create responsible citizens among the students through positive self esteem and academic, social and cultural achievements.

Wakefield Public Schools are comprised of four elementary schools, the Galvin Middle School and Wakefield Memorial High School. The Wakefield School Committee consists of seven members elected by the voters. The School Committee meets regularly in public meetings with Schools Superintendent Dr. Maynard Suffredini.

Wakefield Public Schools have School Councils elected by the parents of students at the school. The Councils assist principals in helping to determine the school budget and writing the school handbook and the school improvement plan. Active Parent-Teacher Organizations assist with fundraising for school activities and enrichment programs.

The Woodville School is the newest of Wakefield’s public schools, having opened in April 2003. The Woodville School teaches students in preschool through grade four. Five preschool classes serve students with special needs. There are four kindergarten classes at the Woodville School. One kindergarten class is a full-day class, while the other three classes are half-day programs. The total population of the school is just under 500 students, with a professional staff of 59 teachers and support personnel. The Woodville School provides families with both a before-school program (beginning at 7:30 a.m.) and an after-school program (running until 6 p.m.) Both programs are fee-based and are open to Woodville School families only.

Greenwood School is a 260-pupil school serving students in kindergarten through grade four. Greenwood School offers fee-based before- and after-school child care programs that operate from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on days when school is in session. Greenwood School is located at 1030 Main Street (781-246-6460).

Walton School, located on Wakefield’s west side, is a 162-pupil kindergarten through grade four school. Walton School offers a fee-based before-school child care program operating from 7:30 a.m. on days when school is in session. Walton School also offers an occasional fee-based after-school enrichment program called Creative Corner. Walton School is located at 18 Davidson Road (781-246-6494).

The Dolbeare School, located at the north end of Wakefield, was renovated, expanded and reopened in September 1999. The new building has 23 classrooms as well as dedicated space for art, music, physical education, speech/language, reading, occupational and physical therapy, and counseling, as well as a library/media room, a computer lab, learning resource centers and a cafeteria. The Dolbeare School is home to 500 prekindergarten through fourth grade students. For the 2004–05 school year, Dolbeare had two full-day pre-kindergarten classes; four half-day kinder-garten classes; one full-day, tuition-supplemented kindergarten class; five classrooms of first graders; five classrooms of second graders; four class-rooms of third graders; and four classrooms of fourth graders.

The Galvin Middle School is the only middle school in Wakefield and is located at 525 Main Street. The middle school houses approximately 1,100 students in grades five through eight. Students at the middle school are divided into 11 academic teams. The curriculum is comprehensive in nature, and students are exposed to all the major academic areas, a strong fine arts program and a variety of extracurricular activities (781-246-6410).

Wakefield Memorial High School is a four-year comprehensive high school. Courses are offered at five levels: Advanced Placement, Honors, College, College Level 2 and Open Enrollment. Enrollment is approximately 1,016 students. Honors classes comprise about 20 percent of the college preparatory group and are offered in the following classes: English, science, social studies, math and foreign language. Advanced placement courses include English, U.S. history, government and politics, biology, physics, chemistry, calculus, Latin, and Spanish 5. Rank in class is computed for all students at the end of the junior year. All subjects are included in the computation except for those with Pass/Fail grades. Rank is weighted, and final rank is determined at the end of the senior year on the same basis. College recommending grades are A and B.

Learn more about the Wakefield Public Schools at www.wakefield.k12.ma.us.

Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School is a selective vocational technical high school that serves 12 community districts, including Chelsea, Malden, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Revere, Saugus, Stoneham, Wakefield, Winchester, Winthrop and Woburn. The Vocational School is located at 100 Hemlock Road, Wakefield (781-246-0810). For more information, visit the school’s Web site at www.northeastmetrotech.com.

Private School Options
St. Joseph School is a Catholic elementary school providing a unique choice of education for families in Wakefield and surrounding communities. With a solid enrollment of 250 students, this prekindergarten through grade eight educational center has an outstanding curriculum, a dedicated staff of religious and laypersons, and supportive parents and parishioners. The students are provided with a rich academic and social environment that prepares them to lead healthy, productive lives. St. Joseph School is accredited through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is a Christian community where children consistently experience the goodness of God, learn Gospel-centered responsibility for themselves and others, and develop academic and social skills to become responsible members of their Church, their community and their world. For further information contact Sister Mary Loiu Graziano, SND, Principal, at 781-245-2081 or e-mail the school at LIBSJS@aol.com.

Odyssey Day School is an independent, nonprofit school located in Wakefield. Founded in 1995 by a group of parents and teachers, Odyssey Day School offers an affordable, high-quality educational experience for toddlers through grade eight. The Odyssey Day School program features small classes and an innovative, theme-based curriculum that is designed to meet the needs of students with a wide range of skills and interests, including children who fall in the gifted and talented range of abilities. For further information, you may contact the school at 781-245-6060 or e-mail info@odysseydayschool.org. Applications for admission may be submitted at any time during the year.

Nazareth Academy is an all-girls high school situated on a 20-acre campus, providing an environment for serious academic pursuit in a community of Christian caring. The school’s mission is to prepare young women for lives of leadership and service. The average class size ranges from 18 to 20 students, which enables the dedicated faculty to provide the necessary attention and academic support for students to be successful. Nazareth Academy has a 98 percent college acceptance rate, and college preparatory programs include both honors and advanced placement level courses. The school’s award-winning performing arts department and competitive athletic program, in addition to numerous clubs and social activities, provide students with a well-rounded, challenging education on every level. At Nazareth Academy, it’s “All About the Girls!” For information, contact the school at 781-245-5210 or visit www.nazareth-academy.org.

Youth Sports
To find a list of Wakefield sports contacts, visit www.wakefieldma.org/sports.html.

Licensed Day Care
For a list of state-licensed day care providers, visit www.qualitychildcare.org.

Community Education
With an office at Wakefield High School, the Community Education Program holds two sessions per year, offering courses as diverse as television production (through Wakefield Community Access Television), membership in the Wakefield Choral Society, computer science, oil painting, Italian for beginners, sewing, and golf. Seminars on topics ranging from investments to strategies for working parents are offered as services. Senior citizens receive a 25 percent discount on courses. Community Education is always looking for course suggestions and teachers. For information about the Community Education Program, contact 781-246-6444.

The Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation (CSF) is a private nonprofit scholarship foundation providing financial assistance to residents of Wakefield in their pursuit of higher education. The CSF Board of Directors and Student Directors work actively through-out the year to raise funds to assist Wakefield students in continuing their education. In addition, CSF established the WAM (Wakefield Adult Mentors) program, which matches adult volunteers with Wakefield public school students in need of mentors. CSF maintains an office at the Americal Civic Center, 467 Main Street. For more information about CSF or its scholarship programs, visit www.wakefield.org/csf, e-mail csfofwakefield@earthlink.net or call 781-245-6761.