About

Carmel at a Glance

Campus   Our PreK – Grade 12 campus rests on 145 acres in rural Caroline County, VA, approximately halfway between Richmond and Fredericksburg. The campus facilities consist of three main buildings. The main building houses the lower school, library, and administrative offices. There is a brand new two-story secondary building that houses the middle and upper school that was completed in the Spring of 2020. The gymnasium building is home to a state-of-the-art, 10,000 sq. ft. volleyball and basketball court, the weight room, and two additional classrooms for art and music.  The Carmel School also has a fully irrigated soccer/football field and a softball/baseball practice field. 

Enrollment   Over 250
Lower School (K – 5th): about 46% of the student body 
Middle School (6th – 8th): about 29% of the student body 
Upper School (9th – 12th): about 25% of the student body 

Class Sizes   Average class size is 15 students, and we proudly offer an average student-to-teacher ratio of 6 to 1.

Faculty   The Carmel School employs over 60 full and part-time teachers. All teachers have a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited higher-level educational institution. The majority of The Carmel School teachers hold Virginia state licenses and all have extensive experience in their fields of expertise.

Accreditation and Memberships   Accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), The Carmel School is also a member of the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA), and the Preschool program is fully licensed by the State of Virginia.

Technology   Technology is integrated into all aspects of The Carmel School experience. Students begin taking technology classes in Kindergarten and have unlimited access to the Library's digital resources both on and off-campus. The campus has a fully integrated wireless network and Smart Boards in every classroom. All students in the Middle and Upper Schools have their own school email account with full access to the school's suite of Google Apps for Education, and Middle and Upper School students participate in a 1-to-1 tablet/laptop program.  

Advanced Placement   The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program offers high school students the opportunity to do college-level work. Successful achievement on the culminating exams may result in credit or advanced placement upon matriculation to college. The Carmel School offers courses in Calculus AB, Chemistry, Computer Principles, English Language and Composition, English Literature, Environmental Science, European History, Government, Human Geography, Psychology, Spanish, and Statistics. 

College Counseling   The college counseling process begins with students in 7th grade. The college counseling team works with students in 7th-12th grades to help them plan and prepare for admission to college and post-secondary education.

The class of 2022 had a 100% college acceptance rate.

Community Service  
 A core component of student life is Carmel's commitment to community service. Students must complete 10 hours of community service each year in grades 6 - 12 to graduate from The Carmel School. 

Athletics   The Carmel School offers the following interscholastic sports:
   Fall Sports: Boys & Girls Cross Country, Girls Volleyball, Boys Soccer, Field Hockey
   Winter Sports: Boys & Girls Basketball, Boys & Girls Swimming, Cheer Team
   Spring Sports:  Boys Baseball & Tennis, Girls Soccer Softball, Boys & Girls Track

Lower School Student Activities   
Students in grades 1-5 may participate in the LYNX Program, the Lower School's athletic program, which includes Archery, Soccer, Track & Field, Swimming, and Basketball.  Students may also participate in the Crazy 8's Math Club, helping build competency in foundational Math skills.

Administration

List of 8 members.

  • Photo of Matt Johns

    Mr. Matt Johns 

    Pennsylvania State University - B.A.
    University of Virginia - M. Ed
    2022
  • Photo of Melanie Casper

    Dr. Melanie Casper 

    Head of Lower School
    x135
    George Washington University - Ed.D.
    George Washington University - Masters
    2016
  • Photo of Stephen Griggs

    Mr. Stephen Griggs 

    Head of Secondary
    x104
    University of Virginia - M.Ed.
    Furman University - B.A.
    2010
  • Photo of Tracy Banks

    Mrs. Tracy Banks 

    Director of School Counseling
    x110
    Virginia State University - M.Ed.
    Mary Washington College - Bachelor of Arts
    2016
  • Photo of Michael Bolt

    Mr. Michael Bolt 

    Director of Athletics
    x127
    Regent University - M.Ed.
    James Madison University - B.S. Education
    2010
  • Photo of Laura Elsey

    Ms. Laura Elsey 

    Director of Admissions and Enrollment. Registrar
    x100
    2021
  • Photo of Gretchen Marr

    Mrs. Gretchen Marr 

    Dean of Students
    x159
    Virginia Commonwealth University - Post-Masters Endorsement in Educational Leadership
    Virginia Commonwealth University - M.A.E.
    Rochester Institute of Technology - B.F.A.
    2018
  • Photo of William Ramsey

    Mr. William Ramsey 

    Director of Finance
    x122
    Washington & Lee University - B.S.
    2017

Board of Directors

Mr. Russell Harper, Board Chair
Mr. Fred Hall, Treasurer
Mr. Harold Stills
Mr. Grant Grayson
Dr. Raymond L. Spence, Jr.,
Immediate Past Chairman
The mission of The Carmel School is to prepare students for success in our ever-changing world by creating a community supportive of
academic, physical, and spiritual growth rooted in Christian values to instill honor and integrity.