Meet Charlotte W., Class of 2026

Having arrived at Wildwood in 2nd grade, Charlotte W. ‘26 isn’t technically a “lifer,” but it’s a designation she jokingly says she’ll fight for.

“I’ve known many of my classmates since we were seven years old,” Charlotte says. “I think that’s such a cool experience—we’re always going to have this Wildwood bond with each other for the rest of our lives.”

It’s an experience that has enabled her to nurture her both athletic and artistic abilities at a young age—and then continue to build and strengthen them through her middle and upper school years.

I think whether you come to Wildwood in kindergarten or a teenager, you immediately become a part of this family, which is really special. Anything you have an interest in or want to pursue, you're going to be able to, with teachers and coaches supporting you all along the way.- CHARLOTTE W., Class of 2026

Now a sophomore, three-sport athlete, and a musician, Charlotte wouldn’t have it any other way.

“At Wildwood, you don’t have to fit into just one category,” Charlotte says. “I think that’s really important when you’re growing up and figuring out what interests you actually want to pursue—there’s no fear in trying.”

With this mentality, Charlotte decided to give swimming a try this year—a sport in which she has no previous training.

“I’m still learning all the strokes, but I think it’s awesome that Wildwood gives you the opportunity to learn and try new things at every stage, especially at an age where more kids would be kind of scared or self-conscious about trying something they’ve never done before,” Charlotte says.

Beyond athletics and the arts, Charlotte is also a member of the Wildwood Institute for Social Leadership (WISL), one of three upper school Institutes designed to provide learning experiences in authentic, real-world contexts, such as research lab, a social leadership collaborative, or an incubator foundry. As the lead for WISL’s literacy program, Charlotte organizes and coordinates book deliveries to WISL’s partner LAUSD elementary school each week.

“My older brother (Remy W. ‘20) was involved in the Wildwood Institute for STEM Research and Development (WISRD), so I knew as soon as I got to upper school, I wanted to join an Institute,” Charlotte says. “I really enjoy the social leadership aspect of WISL and being involved in our outside community.”

“Lifer” or not, Charlotte is quick to point out that Wildwood simply feels like home.

“I think whether you come to Wildwood in kindergarten or a teenager, you immediately become a part of this family, which is really special,” Charlotte says. “Anything you have an interest in or want to pursue, you’re going to be able to, with teachers and coaches supporting you all along the way.”