Oldfields School (Glencoe, MD)

When you meet Taylor Smith, Head of School at Oldfields School, it’s easy to see why some students had t-shirts made that were emblazoned with the phrase “Oldfields Girls are Taylor Made”. Smith has recently returned to lead Oldfields after a 20-year hiatus from the school. It’s easy to see when speaking with him that his passion for the school never left and, judging from the students I met during my visit, he’s already making a positive impression on the school community in his short time back.

The Oldfields campus is very secluded and has a definite “girl’s school” feel. Everything from the dining room to the landscaping to the “Calorie Gallery” snack shop seems to have been executed with the idea that this place is for its 135 female students. The students are laid back and, as there is no uniform required, most were sporting sweatshirts and flip flops during my recent visit. The student diversity is impressive given the small population of the school (in fact, the Princess of Jordan, Abir Muhaisen, is a 1992 alum!).

During my tour with guides Dana and Liz, I was impressed to see the extent of the art program and facilities at the school. As the campus has had some financial woes in the recent past, it was nice to see that every effort is being made to maintain the current facilities and make necessary improvements, while still being fiscally responsible. The fine and performing art spaces, including a dance studio and digital photo lab, would be a selling point to any student interested in the arts.

As is common at many boarding schools, Oldfields certainly has its share of traditions. One fun tradition is the seemingly-endless search each year for something lovingly referred to as the “thing-a-ma-bob”. Though Dana and Liz didn’t know the origin of the “thing-a-ma-bob”, they did tell me that it’s actually an old wooden table leg that’s been decorated over the years.

Liz mentioned that a tradition she is looking forward to is walking barefoot at graduation. Oldfields lore says that a student once forgot her shoes for the ceremony and, in a sign of friendship and unity, her classmates opted to walk sans shoes along with her (and much to the dismay of their parents, I’m sure!). The tradition stuck and to this day the girls can be seen walking barefoot through the grass on graduation day.