Annie Wright School
| Annie Wright School | |
|---|---|
 |
|
|
From strength to strength
|
|
| Location | |
| Tacoma, Washington, USA | |
| Information | |
| Type | Coed lower & middle schools (grades PS-8); all girls upper school (grades 9-12), independent |
| Established | 1884 by Charles Wright |
| Head of School | Christian Sullivan |
| Grades | Preschool-12 |
| Number of students | 420 |
| School Color(s) | Blue and Gold |
| Mascot | Gators |
| Website | Official website |
 |
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 School is a preschool-12th grade independent school of about 450 students. It is a co-ed day program through grade 8, and an all-girls day and boarding school in grades 9-12. The upper school 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.
Contents |
[edit] History
Annie Wright School was founded by railroad magnate Charles Barstow Wright and the Right Reverend James Adams Paddock in 1884, 9 years before the first paved road in Tacoma. 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] Upper School
The Upper School is an all-girls day and boarding school. Tuition for day students in grades 9-12 is $20,700; while domestic resident student and international resident student tuitions are $41,700 and $44,700, respectively. In January 2009, Annie Wright became an IB World School, offering the Diploma Programme.
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. The Upper School currently enrolls 145 students enrolled and is full to capacity in nearly every grade.
[edit] Middle School
The Annie Wright Middle School is a coed day school of grades 6-8. The rigorous academic curriculum is augmented by outdoor experiential learning opportunities, creative arts, athletics, clubs and activities. According to the school's website, tuition for grades 6-8 is $18,200.
[edit] Lower School
The Annie Wright Lower School is a coed day school for grades preschool through five. Students receive weekly instruction in science, Spanish language, technology, swim, physical education, music, art, library and more. According to the school's website, tuition for Kindergarten-grade 5 is $17,100.
[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] Drama
Annie Wright School offers a drama program in its Kemper Center Auditorium. The program mounts at least three dramatic productions each year--typically an upper school play, an all school musical, and a middle school play--and offers a wide range of opportunities to learn the elements of acting and stagecraft.
[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
