Woodlands Academy

• Location: County Wicklow, Ireland,
• Year of foundation: 1973,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of education: Girls only.

Woodlands Academy is an international boarding school for girls in grades 6-9. Education at Woodlands follows the Irish Department of Education and Science school system, which is based on the study of foreign languages: English and French.

The Academy is part of the OAK International educational network, founded in 1969, and is also the first girls' school among its members. Since 1973, Woodlands Academy has been offering female students the practical skills and strong academic knowledge they will need for their personal and professional development. The teaching method at Woodlands is always up-to-date, responding to all the innovations of the modern world of education.

Woodlands Residence Hall, located on campus, offers female students modern renovations to their living and bathroom facilities and provides them with essentials such as linens, towels, a full set of furniture and other necessities. Women staff members live next door to the students, ready to provide support and assistance at any time.

The newly renovated dining hall with a capacity of 140 people provides a balanced and carefully selected menu, according to which professional chefs prepare breakfasts, lunches and dinners daily. All female students are served equally healthy and varied meals, with the exception of girls with allergies or other medical or religious conditions, who are provided with an alternative menu.

The extra-curricular life of the girls is varied and active: from on-campus activities to single and multi-day trips, all the interests and hobbies of the students are realized and supported by the staff.

Classes are organized on the study area in different areas of interest: piano playing, horse riding, golf, acting and film making, cooking and others.

The biggest trips are trips abroad - excursions are not mandatory, but it is rare for a student to miss the opportunity to explore other nationalities, cultures, and languages! Some of the places Woodlands Academy students have already visited are:

• London, England,
• Paris, France,
• Fatima and Lisbon, Portugal,
• Hiking trips with accommodation in the village of Le Chatelard, Switzerland,
• Italy.

Smaller outings are organized on Sundays and holidays - gathering in small groups, pupils visit local attractions:

• Dublin Castle,
• Wax Museum,
• St. Patrick's Cathedral,
• Trinity College and the legendary Book of Kells,
• Glenroe Open Farm,
• National Gallery of Art,
• Mount Usher Gardens and others.

Not only cultural sights are included in the entertaining program of the pupils: trips will allow them to visit the famous Irish dance show, international ballet performances, concerts of foreign performers, restaurants and cafes of national and international cuisine and much more.

• Official Cambridge exam preparation center,
• Accredited and recognized by the Irish Department of Education,
• Teaching staff with the highest qualifications in specialized subjects,
• Small class sizes, giving you the opportunity to receive individual attention from your teacher to the fullest,
• A variety of leisure activities, including five annual trips to Italy, Switzerland, London, Paris and Iceland,
• Accommodation in a comfortable boarding house, meals provided.

Wingfield House, which now houses Woodlands, is a beautifully restored mansion in the Queen Anne style, originally constructed in the 1800s. Situated in County Wicklow, it is conveniently located just 25 kilometers away from Dublin and in close proximity to the renowned Powerscourt Gardens and golf courses. The sprawling lawns, graceful gardens, and serene pond that grace the campus provide a tranquil and peaceful environment that enhances the learning experience for female students.

Nearby, there is a versatile sports facility that includes a gymnasium, dance and aerobics studios equipped with surround sound and specialized spring-loaded floors designed to prevent injuries during dance activities. The facility also boasts basketball, tennis, and indoor soccer courts, complete with locker rooms, showers, and a nursing station.

Within the academic area, you will find modern classrooms and laboratories, art studios, recreational spaces, a residential building, and a cozy dining hall. All the classrooms are equipped with Apple projectors and TVs, along with iPad docking stations to facilitate learning and engagement.

Almost all students take a year-long course that runs from September through June. Fall courses are offered for four months from September through December, and spring courses are offered from January through June. The Academy closes on Christmas and Easter; on other holidays and weekends, students may remain on campus.

A sample list of additional costs:

• Security deposit upon enrollment,
• Medical care,
• International travel,
• Classes in extracurricular clubs for cooking, horseback riding, acting and other clubs, equipment and necessary materials,
• On-campus lodging and meals,
• Personal Expenses.

Woodlands staff advise that applications be submitted by early December, as entrance test results and enrollment lists are released at the end of that month.

Step-by-step enrollment includes:

• Completing the application and submitting documents,
• Receiving a response from the admissions office,
• Paying the security deposit,
• Receiving confirmation of enrollment.

Staff will assist new students with visa and other paperwork as needed. Upon arrival on campus, each girl is interviewed and undergoes a short entrance test.

Scholarships are awarded to female students based on the results of their academic and extracurricular activities - to the most successful and active. Awards are made to award winners - the scholarship covers from 15, 30 or 75% of tuition and living expenses for the annual course.

Certificates recognizing effort and participation are also awarded based on academic success: awards include Student of the Month, Outstanding Achievement in English, and others. Girls may also receive awards in the area of education: punctuality, orderliness, etiquette, behavior, and respect.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision