Annie Wright School
| Annie Wright Schools | |
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From strength to strength
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| Location | |
| Tacoma, Washington, USA | |
| Information | |
| Type | Coed day school (grades PS-8); all-girls upper school, IB, day and boarding programs (grades 9-12), independent |
| Established | 1884 by Charles Wright |
| Head of School | Christian Sullivan |
| Grades | Preschool-12 |
| Number of students | 440 |
| School Color(s) | Blue and Gold |
| Mascot | Gators |
| Website | Official website |
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This article relies largely or entirely upon a single source. Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources. Discussion about the problems with the sole source used may be found on the talk page. (February 2011) |
Annie Wright Schools are two independent schools housed under one roof. Annie Wright Day School serves approximately 320 boys and girls in grades preschool through eight. Annie Wright Upper School is an all-girls day and boarding school of approximately 150 girls in grades 9-12, and offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. Central to the school's landscape is a 180,000-square-foot (17,000 m2), Tudor building situated on a 10-acre (40,000 m2) campus overlooking Commencement Bay in the north end of Tacoma, Washington.
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[edit] History
Annie Wright Schools were founded by railroad magnate Charles Barstow Wright and the Right Reverend James Adams Paddock in 1884, nine years before the first paved road in Tacoma. Originally founded as Annie Wright Seminary, Charles Wright and Bishop Paddock sought a school to provide a well-rounded education for the daughters of pioneers. The school is named after Charles Wright's daughter Annie. Charles Wright discussed his plans for a girls' school with Henrietta Wells, wife of the Reverend Lemuel H. Wells, the rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Tacoma (also founded by Wright). Henrietta Wells had been the principal of St. Paul's Girls School in Walla Walla; she and her husband had founded several early Northwest academies and schools, and were experienced educators. Henrietta Wells made several suggestions and modifications to Wright's plans, and she became the first principal of Annie Wright Seminary. The current head of school is Christian Sullivan.
[edit] Annie Wright Upper School
Annie Wright Upper School is an all-girls day and boarding school offering the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. Tuition for day students in grades 9-12 is $22,000, while 5-day resident student and 7-day resident tuition is $35,000 and $44,000 respectively. International ESL resident student tuition is $46,000.
The school has alumni from 45 countries. In addition, Upper School students have the opportunity to participate in exchange programs to Chile and Japan. About 25% of the Upper School is composed of international students, primarily from China, Korea, and Taiwan. Recent students have hailed from countries such as Rwanda, Lithuania, Vietnam, Bolivia, Bermuda, Russia, and India. The Upper School also includes a contingent of domestic boarders, generally girls from Washington, Idaho, Oregon and California.
[edit] Annie Wright Day School
Annie Wright Day School is a coeducational day school of grades preschool through eight. Students receive weekly instruction in science, Spanish language, technology, swim, physical education, music, art, library and more. The rigorous academic curriculum is augmented by outdoor experiential learning opportunities, creative arts, athletics, clubs and activities. Full-day tuition ranges from $16,510 to $19,500, varying by grade level.
[edit] Athletics
The Upper School fields competitive teams in volleyball, basketball, crew, track, tennis and golf. Girls wishing to participate in other sports can do so at the closest high school offering a team. Annie Wright currently holds the state 1A championship in 400 meters women's track, and also had state showings in volleyball, golf, and tennis during the past academic year. Its volleyball team has qualified for the state championships for four consecutive years (2006–2009).
[edit] Fine Arts
Annie Wright Schools offer a variety of options for students to hone their talents in visual and performing arts. The drama program mounts at several dramatic productions each year - an Upper School play, an all-school musical, and Day School production for the middle grades, and several musicals for the primary grades.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Mary McCarthy (author; 1912–1989)
- Betty Garrett (actress; 1919-2011)
[edit] External links
- Girls' schools in the United States
- Private schools in Washington (state)
- Elementary schools in Washington (state)
- Middle schools in Washington (state)
- High schools in Pierce County, Washington
- Educational institutions established in 1884
- Education in Tacoma, Washington
- Schools in Pierce County, Washington
