All boys. All boarding. Grades 9-12.
Campus Life
A Residential Community
A Residential Community
At Woodberry, we promote the personal development of our students and secure the growth of a healthy residential community. In the dean of students office we work with faculty advisors to ensure that you build a relationship with caring adults who are committed to your academic success and character development. We work with the faculty who live in your dorm so your time there is safe, positive, and enriching. We work with the director of health services to help you receive the best medical care. We work with the activities director to plan student activities that are positive, appropriate, and fun. We oversee the discipline system, which is designed to help you take responsibility for your actions. Finally, we work with the Prefect Board, our group of senior student leaders, to help you understand the privilege of living in a boys top-rated college prep school community that values honor and integrity.
Health Services
Woodberry Health Center Mission
Our mission is to foster and support students' physical, mental, and emotional well‑being so they can thrive academically and socially. Located right on campus across from the Walker Fine Arts Center, our center offers immediate evidenced based nursing care, mental health support, screenings, preventative care, wellness promotion, and health education opportunities. We collaborate with families and school staff to create a safe, confidential space where students can receive care without missing class or travel.The Woodberry Forest Health Center provides individualized, student centered care for numerous chronic and acute health conditions. The Health Center is open 24 hrs a day by licensed nurses, with oversight from the overseeing medical practice, Orange Family Physicians.
About Us
The Woodberry Forest Health Center collaborates and partners with our local family medicine practice, Orange Family Physicians. When students arrive at the Health Center needing further medical intervention or evaluation, our team of dedicated nurses will ensure that students are referred to a provider at Orange Family Physicians in a timely manner. Additionally, the Health Center refers students as needed to local urgent care centers, orthopedic practices, orthodontia care practices, Health Departments, etc. on an as needed basis and in collaboration with parents.
Medical & Preventive Care
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Flu shot clinics, screenings, preventative care, medication administration
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Management of chronic conditions, such as but not limited to asthma, allergies, diabetes, seizure care, etc.
Health Education & Promotion
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One on one education sessions and campaigns on nutrition, chronic conditions, physical activity, disease prevention, and healthy behaviors
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Classroom visits, workshops, or small-group sessions
Oral & Vision Health
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Vision screening and referrals
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Oral health referrals
Additional Services
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Referral coordination with specialists & primary care providers
Records & Confidentiality
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Personal health information is maintained and recorded following HIPAA confidentiality laws within a private and secure Magnus Health Information Portal.
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Student privacy is assured with faculty and staff on a need to know basis only.
Hours & Contact Information
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The Woodberry Forest Health Center is open 24 hrs a day/7 days per week and staffed by licensed nurses
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Phone number: 540-672-6017
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Health Center free of charge?
Yes, all students have complimentary access to the Health Center for general medical care, assessment, medication administration, etc. Students requiring referrals to outside agencies may incur additional fees or co-pays when using outside services.
What happens in an emergency?
Our Health Center staff will ensure that each student is provided appropriate medical care according to Health Center protocols and emergency action plans. Health Center staff will communicate with the parent/guardian during or immediately after providing emergency care to the student. Our local EMS may transport a student to the closest emergency room, and the student will be accompanied by a WFS staff member at all times in the event of an emergency. There are several AEDs, first aid kits,Stop the Bleed kits, and epi pens in strategic locations throughout the Woodberry Forest Campus in the event of an emergency situation for students, faculty, and staff. Health Center Staff are trained in emergency response and are CPR certified.
How does my son receive his scheduled medication?
Students receiving scheduled or daily medication must have a valid provider order and all medication must be stored in the original pharmacy labeled container. All medications are kept in a locked cabinet in the Health Center, and are prohibited within the dorm (except rescue medications). Each student that is receiving medications will come to the dispensary located within the Health Center at the assigned time daily. Please note that medication can only be administered within an hour before or after the scheduled time. Health Center Staff will notify the parent/guardian when the medication is running low and in need of a refill.The parent/guardian will need to provide medication for the student.
Medication orders may be transferred to our local pharmacy, Orange Pharmacy in Orange, Virginia, to be delivered to the Health Center on a scheduled or as needed basis. The phone number for Orange Pharmacy is 540-661-5006. Link to the Orange Pharmacy website: Orange Pharmacy Link. Please reach out to the Woodberry Forest Health Center with any prescription related questions at 540-672-6017.
Additional Health Resources & Education Materials
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Virginia Department of Health Immunization Requirements: VDH Immunization Requirements Link
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CDC Meningitis Vaccine Information: CDC Meningitis Vaccine Info
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CDC HPV Vaccine Information: CDC HPV Vaccine Information
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CDC Concussion Information: CDC Concussion Information
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NIH Scoliosis Information: NIH Scoliosis Information for Children & Teens
Mental Health Services
Woodberry is committed to Student Mental Health and Wholeness in all of its dimensions as we aspire to know, challenge, and love each of our students during their teenage years. Nonetheless, the unique stressors and demands of adolescence can be tough to navigate for many of our students, so having a safe, confidential space to talk about their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can be very helpful. Whether it’s homesickness, relationship problems, depression, anxiety, grief, academic struggles, etc., the following mental health services are available for those who would like to receive additional support and care:
Woodberry is committed to Student Mental Health and Wholeness in all of its dimensions as we aspire to know, challenge, and love each of our students during their teenage years. Nonetheless, the unique stressors and demands of adolescence can be tough to navigate for many of our students, so having a safe, confidential space to talk about their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can be very helpful. Whether it’s homesickness, relationship problems, depression, anxiety, grief, academic struggles, etc., the following mental health services are available for those who would like to receive additional support and care:
- 1:1 Confidential Counseling: Students may reach out to Dr. Christal Boesen at any time if they would like to schedule an appointment. Referrals may also come from parents/guardians, teachers, coaches, or other members of the faculty. There is no additional cost or fee associated with individual counseling at Woodberry.
- Crisis Intervention: Should a student’s mental health needs become urgent or acute and surpass the services available to best support him here at Woodberry, Dr. Boesen will help facilitate a Mental Health Medical Leave. Here, parents/guardians will receive detailed information regarding the expectations for his time away from school as well as conditions for his healthy return.
- Parent/Guardian Consultation: Parents may reach out to Dr. Boesen to inquire about general topics related to teen mental health, but they may also reach out to discuss specific areas of concern regarding their sons.
- Educational Evaluations: On a limited basis, a student may be referred to Dr. Boesen for a possible educational evaluation if learning or attention challenges emerge. Additional fees apply for this service, payable to Woodberry Forest School.
Additional Mental Health Programming
Woodberry has partnered with Endure Mentality, a mental health service provider that facilitates workshops, consultations, individual, and group sessions to support student athletes (www.endurementality.com). Led by Sarah Lewis, LCSW, and Shannon Noe, LPC, Endure meets with our teams, captains, coaches, individual athletes and small groups throughout the year to help promote mental fitness in athletics.
Woodberry has partnered with Endure Mentality, a mental health service provider that facilitates workshops, consultations, individual, and group sessions to support student athletes (www.endurementality.com). Led by Sarah Lewis, LCSW, and Shannon Noe, LPC, Endure meets with our teams, captains, coaches, individual athletes and small groups throughout the year to help promote mental fitness in athletics.
In addition to customized, interactive workshops to educate and support mental well-being on individual teams, Endure also leads an Injured Athletes Support Group for those Woodberry students who are sidelined by injury, are in the process of healing, or who are returning to play after a season of recovery and restoration. Endure is also available to provide consultation in the following areas: targeted support for elite athletes during the recruitment process, a “what to expect” transition toolkit for seniors who have committed to play at the collegiate level, and brief tele-health sessions for individual athletes who may need additional tools and strategies regarding their mental fitness. If you are interested in setting up a specific level of support for your son outside of what Woodberry offers, please contact them through their website.
Voluntary Substance Use Hair Testing Program
The production and widespread use of increasingly discrete and incredibly accessible vaping devices, edibles, zyn packets, etc., is part of the national conversation among those of us who work with teenagers. In order to offer our students a protective, health-based tool to prevent substance use and abuse, Woodberry has partnered with Psychemedics and Secure Test Results to offer an opt-in substance use hair testing program. Woodberry absorbs all costs associated with this program and the results are communicated only to parents.
Voluntary Substance Use Hair Testing Program
The production and widespread use of increasingly discrete and incredibly accessible vaping devices, edibles, zyn packets, etc., is part of the national conversation among those of us who work with teenagers. In order to offer our students a protective, health-based tool to prevent substance use and abuse, Woodberry has partnered with Psychemedics and Secure Test Results to offer an opt-in substance use hair testing program. Woodberry absorbs all costs associated with this program and the results are communicated only to parents.
Participation in the program is completely voluntary, 100% confidential, and offers several health-related benefits. First and foremost, Woodberry students will have access to a protective tool to use when exposed to substances or when tempted to make an unhealthy choice. Secondly, Woodberry students will be empowered to make healthy decisions for themselves and their futures – all of the prevention literature indicates that delayed first use significantly reduces the potential for addiction. One of our goals, then, is to delay first use by offering our boys a compelling reason to refrain from using substances during these vulnerable teen years. For more information related to this confidential, health-based program, please reach out to Dr. Christal Boesen at christal_boesen@woodberry.org.
Spiritual Life
One of the abiding principles of Woodberry Forest is the belief that students should have a reverence for things sacred. With this in mind, there is the belief that spirituality is vital to the health of the community. Although Woodberry was founded on Christian principles, the boys' school does not maintain formal ties to any particular denomination.
Each Monday evening in St. Andrew’s Chapel, nondenominational services for the students, faculty, and surrounding community take place. As a Woodberry student you will have the opportunity to hear visiting speakers in the chapel several times during the year, and to participate in weekly meetings of the Christian fellowship group.
You may also join us for Chapel-sponsored activities that include weekly Christian fellowship meetings, Bible study, communion services on Wednesdays, off-campus services, and special Holy Day services.
Each Monday evening in St. Andrew’s Chapel, nondenominational services for the students, faculty, and surrounding community take place. As a Woodberry student you will have the opportunity to hear visiting speakers in the chapel several times during the year, and to participate in weekly meetings of the Christian fellowship group.
You may also join us for Chapel-sponsored activities that include weekly Christian fellowship meetings, Bible study, communion services on Wednesdays, off-campus services, and special Holy Day services.
John Amos
Chaplain
Chaplain
Clubs and Activities
At Woodberry, you can pursue a range of activities outside of the classroom. Along the way, you'll gain valuable leadership skills and build friendships you'll keep for the rest of your life. There are more than thirty clubs and plenty of activities for you to enjoy at the Forest. You can choose to travel abroad, explore your spirituality, reduce your carbon footprint, become a photographer, publish a newspaper, mentor or take a leadership position, paint or sculpt, or enjoy the great outdoors. You'll find that you have endless opportunities at our boarding prep school to learn, to grow, and to change your life forever.
Ansley Higginbotham
Director of Student Activities and Transportation
Ansley Higginbotham
Director of Student Activities and Transportation
Woodberry Forest School is an exceptional private school community for high school boys in grades nine through twelve. It is one of the top boarding schools in the United States and one of the only all-boys, all-boarding schools in the country.
Explore & Resources
Woodberry Forest admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religious belief, and national or ethnic origin to all of the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religious belief, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs. The school is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant students.