ATHLETICS, CO-CURRICULUM, STUDENT LIFE AND TRADITIONS ATHLETICS, CO-CURRICULUM, STUDENT AND TRADITIONS

The afternoon program includes interscholastic athletics, co-curricular options, and riding.

Oldfields School is a member of the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland (I A AM), which includes teams in 10 sports – badminton, basketball, cross county, fields hockey, lacrosse, outdoor track and field, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.

The co-curricular options include dance, fitness and conditioning, Pilates, theater, and yoga. Oldfields has an exceptional arts program that regularly performs for the School community and the public.

Riding has been a signature program at the School for well over 150 years and includes 24 school-owned horses, a state-of-the-art indoor arena, two outdoor rings, paddocks, and a cross-country course. Girls may bring their own horse to School, lease a school horse, or ride the horses within the program while they continue to develop their competitive riding skills.

T here are three options to ride within the riding program – Introduction to Riding, Junior Varsity Riding, and Varsity Riding. Varsity riders also have the opportunity to compete on our Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) hunt seat and dressage teams. Riders are offered multidisciplinary programs that include hunters, jumpers, cross country, eventing, equitation, foxhunting and dressage.

Community Service is both a graduation requirement and one of the many clubs and organizations available for the girls to pursue. Student Council, Dormitory Prefect, Model UN, Bee Club, Student Ambassadors, Dubious Dozen, a student organized a cappella group, Black Alliance, LGBTQIA+, Drum, Cheer, and the Captains Counsel provide a sampling of the clubs and organizations.

There are 40 (49%) boarding students who live in four dormitories (one dormitory is currently not in use) with each house supported by residential faculty. The faculty is divided into four residential teams who have responsibility one night a week and one weekend a month for the campus and residential life. Student Prefects support residential faculty with dormitory supervision. Day students are fully engaged in the community. It was noted that, within the School, there is little distinction between boarding and day students as so many day students are present during the evening study hours and frequently spend weekends on campus. There are a variety of student activities each weekend coordinated through the Office of Community Life. Typical activities include trips to the local shopping center, cultural or community service events in the surrounding community, or a meal and a movie with an advisor.

No conversation about the Oldfields experience would be complete without a passionate discussion about traditions. At the beginning of the year, new students are assigned to a team, either Green or White, forming life-long bonds and a friendly competitive spirit. Big Sister/Little Sister, Green and White Night, At-Home Night with Advisors, Thing-a-ma-bob, 100 Nights Dinner, Garden Party, May Court, and white dresses on Graduation Hill are all cherished traditions. Of course, alumni will remind you of a few more!

Character, diversity, inclusion, and leadership are important aspects of the Oldfields experience. Beginning with advisory or all-school meetings and woven into the week in a myriad of experiences in the classroom, on the stage, in athletics and the riding ring, to the dining hall, around campus, and in the dormitories, the Oldfields “hidden” program permeates the lives of the girls. The new Head of School will want to further develop all aspects of the program and be a strong presence on campus during the day, in the evenings, and on the weekend.

Location

Located North of Baltimore in the heart of Maryland hunt country and moments from Interstate 83, Oldfields School’s campus is set on 140 acres with 18 buildings and two athletic fields, five tennis courts, two outdoor riding rings, and a network of trails. The buildings include the original McCulloch home, Old House, which houses admissions, alumni/development, the Head’s office, several faculty residences and has seen the addition of a theater and several classrooms over the years. Rodney Hall is the main academic building, the Commons houses the dining hall, day student lockers, student lounges, and Herky’s School Store. There is a full gymnasium with an attached dance studio, a barn with stables, an indoor riding arena, four dormitories, several faculty homes and a beautiful Head’s residence. Standing on the grounds of Oldfields School, it is easy to sense the “magic” of this unique setting in the pastoral scenery of Maryland’s horse country. Though rural, the campus is not remote.

The School is just 6 miles from Hunt Valley Towne Centre where there is a Baltimore Light Rail station. The Inner Harbor is 26 miles from campus, Baltimore-Washington International Airport is 33 miles, Washington, D.C. is 65 miles, and Philadelphia is 96 miles away.