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]
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]
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]
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]
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