Woodberry Forest School

Woodberry Forest School is a private, all-male boarding school located in Woodberry Forest, Madison County, Virginia, in the United States.

The school was founded in 1889 by Captain Robert Stringfellow Walker, who had been a member of the 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry (Mosby's Rangers) during the American Civil War.

Woodberry's current enrollment is 388. Students come from 30 U.S. states and six foreign countries.

History

The school occupies approximately 1200 acres in Madison, Virginia. The campus is bounded on one side by the Rapidan River. It was originally the estate of William Madison, brother of President James Madison. The headmaster's residence is taken entirely from an architectural design by Thomas Jefferson. The property eventually passed to the Walker family. The school was founded when Walker hired a tutor to teach his six sons and other local children.

J. Carter Walker, son of Captain Walker, and a graduate of the school, graduated from the University of Virginia in 1897. According to Elizabeth Copeland Norfleet in "A Venture in Faith", a history of the school's early years, his plans to go on to law school was interrupted by his father's request that he serve as "head teacher." Carter Walker later explained his decision to his brother thus, "I always did what Father and Mother told me to."

Headmasters

J. Carter Walker served as headmaster until he retired in 1948. Headmasters since then have been:
*Shaun Kelley, Jr. (1948-1952)
*Joseph M. Mercer (1952-1962)
*A. Baker Duncan Jr. (1962-1970)
*Charles M. Sheerin, Jr. (1970-1973)
*Gerald L. Cooper (acting) (1973-1974)
*Emmett W. Wright, Jr. (1974-1991)
*John S. Grinalds (1991-1997)
*Dennis M. Campbell (1997-present)

Prefect Board

A principal feature of life at Woodberry is its student-run honor system: A Prefect Board of 19 senior students decide the fate of any students that "lie, cheat, or steal," and its decision is approved or vetoed (though rarely) by the headmaster and the dean of students. Anyone found violating the honor code on any scale is dismissed from the school.

The Prefect Board is determined through a process involving students, faculty, and administration. In the spring trimester an election among the students is held; Students are given a roster of the rising senior class and asked to select the 19 they feel are best suited to the role. Faculty undertake a similar process, and after that the administration interview the individual candidates as determined by the initial elections. Finally, the headmaster decides the final composition of the board before the close of the year.

Aside from maintaining the Honor System, the Prefect Board also is charged with guiding the new students though orientation. Prefects also serve in roles similar to that of resident assistants, organizing dorm events and informing students of news and events. A Senior Prefect is elected by the Prefect Board from among its members; his role is similar to that of a student body president, giving a speech at the assembly commencing the school year and a graduation in spring.

Athletics

Woodberry competes in the Virginia Prep League, in a variety of sports including basketball, soccer, baseball, golf, swimming, lacrosse, wrestling, cross country, tennis, and track, and football, which is played on Saturdays in the fall.

The longest-running high school football rivalry in the country takes place each year between Woodberry Forest and Episcopal High School of Alexandria, Virginia. The schools first played against each other in 1901 and have competed in over a hundred consecutive games. "The Game," as it is known, draws back many alumni and is considered the homecoming for both schools. The 100th contest, which Woodberry won, took place in the 2000 and drew nearly 15,000 spectators.

Notable alumni

Notable alumni of Woodberry Forest School include:
* Marvin P. Bush, youngest son of George H. W. Bush and brother of George W. Bush
* Charles W. Coker, former Chairman/CEO of Sonoco Products Co.
* Bosley Crowther, film critic for "The New York Times"
* Gordon Gray, National Security Advisor
* James McMurtry, singer-songwriter
* Johnny Mercer, songwriter
* Halsey Minor, CNET Networks founder
* J. Sargeant Reynolds, executive vice president of Reynolds Aluminum Credit Corp., Virginia General Assemblyman, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
* James D. Robinson III, former CEO of American Express
* Randolph Scott, actor
* Roger Wilson, actor Porky's
* Frank Wisner, OSS/CIA official

External links

* [http://www.woodberry.org Woodberry Forest School website]
* [http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/171 Information from boardingschoolreview.com]