Fast Facts
Waterford School is a private, independent, non-profit organization that provides a liberal arts, college preparatory education for students in Preschool through Grade 12.
The School
Location
The 40-acre campus is located at the base of the Wasatch Mountains in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City.
History
Founded in 1981 by the non-profit Waterford Institute, the Waterford School exists as a research school whose mission is to educate children by joining the great lessons of a classical liberal arts education with the benefits of the latest computer technology. The Institute’s efforts to replicate these lessons with educational software, integrated in public schools throughout the country, is thus producing improved educational opportunities for all children.
Governance
The Waterford School is governed by a local Board of Trustees.
Affiliation
Waterford is not affiliated with any religious organization.
Accreditation
The Waterford School is fully accredited by both the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and by the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools (PNAIS). Waterford School is a Member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
Academics
Academic Program
Challenging college preparatory, liberal arts curriculum with Advanced Placement courses, honors courses, fine arts, performing arts, and athletics.
Grades
Preschool through Grade 12: Primary School (Preschool-Grade 2); Lower School (Grades 3-5); Middle School (Grades 6-8); Upper School (Grades 9-12).
Students
Total student enrollment for the 2011-12 school year is 900; 432 students in the Lower Schools; 225 students in the Middle School; 243 students in the Upper School. Of the 900 students, 447 are boys and 453 are girls. Sixteen percent (146 students) of the student body are minority students or students of color.
Calendar
Trimesters; School year begins the Tuesday after Labor Day and concludes the first Thursday in June.
Schedule
8:00 AM to 3:15 PM. Lower School students receive core academic instruction from homeroom teachers; additionally students meet with specialists for 30 to 45 minute periods in science, art, music, dance, physical education, computer lab and library; Grade 4 students also meet with a specialist for violin instruction and Grade 5 students for brass/winds instruction. Middle and Upper School students meet for six class periods each day (54 minute periods with 8 minutes between classes); 1 hour lunch period. Each academic class meets 4 times per week; art, photo, music, theater, dance and all other electives meet either 3 or 4 times per week.
Class Size & Student/Teacher Ratios
Preschool: 16 students/2 teachers; Kindergarten: 18 students/1 teacher and reading assistant; Grades 1-2: 24 students/1 teacher and reading assistant; Grades 3-5: 24 students/1 teacher; Middle School: 20-24 students per section; Upper School average class size is 16.
Faculty
The faculty (not including administration or staff) consists of 114 full and part time teachers (43 men; 71 women), of whom 42 teach in the Lower Schools and 72 teach in the Middle and Upper School. Forty percent of the Lower Schools faculty hold advanced degrees; seventy-five percent of Middle and Upper School faculty hold advanced degrees. Fifty percent of faculty have more than 12 years tenure at Waterford.
Graduates
Historically, 100% of graduating seniors attend competitive colleges and universities. See College Preparation for more information about our graduates’ college choices.
Athletics
Waterford offers a full array of individual, team and recreational sports. The school holds State Championships in Baseball (‘04), Men’s Lacrosse (‘03, ‘04, ‘06), Women’s Lacrosse (‘11), Men’s Soccer (‘03, ‘07, ’10, ’11), Women’s Soccer (’07, ‘08, ‘09, ’11), Men’s Basketball (‘02), Women’s Cross Country (‘04), Men’s Tennis (‘05, ‘07), Women’s Tennis (‘00, ‘02, ‘03, ’09) and Golf (‘99, ‘00, ‘01, ‘02, ‘03, ‘04).
Athletic Teams
Upper School athletic teams participate in the Utah High School Activities Association Division IIA. Competition teams include Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, Women’s Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Soccer and Men’s and Women’s Golf. Club teams include Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse, Racquetball and Crew.
Middle School athletic teams compete in the Wasatch Athletics Conference (comprised of private schools along the Wasatch front). Competition teams include Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball, Boys’ and Girls’ Lacrosse, Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country, Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer, and Girls’ Volleyball.