Waynflete School
Private school in Portland, Maine, US

Waynflete School
Portland
,
Maine

United States
Information
TypePrivate day school
MottoVincite, Virtute, Vera (Latin)
Conquer With True Virtue
Established1897
FoundersAgnes Lowell and Caroline Crisfield
Head of schoolGeoff Wagg
Faculty144
GradesEarly childhood education (from age 3) to twelfth grade
GenderCoeducational
Enrollment584 total
183 Lower School
156 Middle School
245 Upper School
Average class size13 students[1]
Student to teacher ratio9:1[1]
Scheduleblock scheduling
CampusUrban, 3 acre campus
35 acre athletic complex
ColorDartmouth Green  
NicknameFlyers
AccreditationNew England Association of Schools and Colleges
NewspaperThe Flyer
EndowmentUS$ 30.5 Million (as of June 30, 2024)[2]
Websitewaynflete.org

Waynflete School is a private, co-educational college preparatory day school established in 1898 for early childhood education (from age three) to the 12th grade.[3] It is located in the West End of Portland, Maine.[4]

History

In 1898, Waynflete School was established by Agnes Lowell and Caroline Crisfield. During a trip to England, they became interested in statesman and educator William Waynflete, after whom the school is named. The school opened with forty-nine students. In the early twentieth century, Waynflete adopted a progressive education model emphasizing physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development through hands-on learning, as championed by philosopher John Dewey. In 1950, boys past the fourth grade were admitted, and in 1967, boys were admitted into the upper school.[5]

Catchment

The Maine Department of Education is responsible for school assignments in unorganized territories, and it pays entities to educate students in unorganized territories. As of 2025[update] it assigns Perkins Township, Sagadahoc County to Waynflete School as one option. The school is also an option for the Washington community in Franklin County.[6]

Academics

Lower School provides education from early childhood (ages 3 and 4) to fifth grade, with the middle school serving sixth through eighth grades, and upper school serving ninth through twelfth grades.[7] The school has approximately 550 students, with an average classroom size of thirteen students, and a student to teacher ratio of nine to one.[1]

Cocurricular activities such as student government and community service are offered in middle and upper school.[8]

Waynflete School won the state Science Olympiad ten times, most recently in 2024.[9] The Portland Press Herald has called the school a "dynasty" in science competitions.[10]

Accreditation

Waynflete is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC),[11] and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS),[12] Maine Association of Independent Schools, Independent School Association of Northern New England (ISANNE), Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE),[1] and Cum Laude Society.[13]

Recognition

Campus

Waynflete's Thomas House

Waynflete has a three-acre campus made up of historic homes modified for school use, as well as newly constructed buildings. The campus consists of eleven buildings,[clarification needed] which include: Boulos House, Hurd House, Sills Hall, Hewes Hall, Founders Hall, Morrill House, Cook-Hyde House, Thomas House, Davis Hall, Emery Building, Upper School Science Center,[5] LEED Silver certified Arts Center[17] designed by Scott Simons Architects consisting of a 276-seat theater[18] and exhibition gallery,[17] two gymnasiums,[5] and two school-owned housing units, one used for the residence of the headmaster, and the other not currently used for educational purposes. Waynflete also has a thirty-five-acre[15] off-campus scenic athletic complex named Fore River Fields.[19]

Athletics

Lower school students participate in physical education. Middle school students participate in competitive sports or non-competitive activities. Upper school offers competitive sports at the junior varsity and varsity level, as well as physical education options and an independent physical activity program.[20]

Waynflete competes in the Western Maine Conference[21] and is a member of Maine Principals' Association (MPA).[20] The school athletic teams are called Flyers, with the school colors being green and white. Waynflete is a rival to North Yarmouth Academy.[22][23]

Tuition

Tuition for the 2023–2024 academic year ranges from $30,690 for kindergarten and Grade 1, to $38,205 for Grade 12.[24]

Notable alumni

See also

Other private high schools in Maine which take students with public funds (from unorganized areas and/or with agreements with school districts):

Connecticut private academies acting as public high schools:

New Hampshire private academies acting as public high schools:

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Waynflete School". Association of Independent Schools of New England. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  2. ^ "2023–24 Philanthropy at Waynflete".
  3. ^ "Waynflete School, Admission: Tuition". Waynflete School. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  4. ^ "Waynflete School proposing $12 million expansion in Portland's West End". Press Herald. February 27, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Waynflete School, Mission & History: History". Waynflete School. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  6. ^ "Education in the Unorganized Territory - Find Your School". Maine Department of Education. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  7. ^ "Waynflete School, Curriculum: Academics". Waynflete School. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  8. ^ "Waynflete School, Curriculum: Co-Curricular Activities". Waynflete School. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  9. ^ "Maine - Wiki - Scioly.org".
  10. ^ "Waynflete's science olympians hope to extend dynasty". Press Herald. March 22, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  11. ^ "CIS Directory of Schools: Member Details". New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  12. ^ "Membership Directory: School Information". National Association of Independent Schools. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  13. ^ "MEMBER SCHOOLS" (PDF). Cum Laude Society. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  14. ^ "Waynflete School Receives 2005 Abraxas Award from Bowdoin". Bowdoin College. July 7, 2005. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  15. ^ a b "Malone Scholars Program: Schools Selected in 2011". Malone Family Foundation. 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  16. ^ "Readers' Choice: 2011 Features Statewide". Down East Magazine. July 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  17. ^ a b "Waynflete School, Curriculum: Arts-The Art Center". Waynflete School. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  18. ^ "Full School Directory: WAYNFLETE SCHOOL". Independent School Association of Northern New England. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  19. ^ "Waynflete School, Athletics: Athletic Facilities". Waynflete School. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  20. ^ a b "Waynflete School, Curriculum: Athletics Overview". Waynflete School. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  21. ^ "Western Maine Conference Schools". Western Maine Conference. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  22. ^ "Waynflete girls continue to excel with win at NYA". Press Herald. May 3, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  23. ^ "NYA gets revenge, wins at Waynflete in regular season finale". Press Herald. October 18, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  24. ^ "Tuition and Tuition Assistance". Waynflete. Retrieved January 5, 2024.

Further reading

  • Robinov, Kelsey (May 13, 2014). "Maine's Charter School Law: Predicted Impacts on Waynflete School Enrollment". Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations. University of Southern Maine: 56. - Capstone Research Project
  • Official School Website

43°38′47″N 70°16′09″W / 43.6463°N 70.2693°W / 43.6463; -70.2693

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