Christchurch School will hold its 105th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 23 at 9:00 a.m. on the Main Lawn and Bell Tower Hill. Mr. William J. "Billy" Coyle will speak. Mr. Coyle is completing his fourth year as Head of Christchurch School. He is the 17th Head in the school's history. 

 

This year’s valedictorian is Lillian Grace Williams, daughter of Adam and Heidi Williams  of North, VA. Lillian will attend the University of Virginia. 

CHRISTCHURCH, VA -- 14 April 2026

 

Students in Christchurch School's Marine Science program explore the watery depths of our planet and understand how vital the oceans are to our existence. The course provides students with an overview of the marine environment, including the origins of the oceans, the nature of the marine habitat including chemical, physical, and geological aspects, ecology of the sea zonation, marine communities, classification, and man's interrelationship with the oceans. Students learn about the processes that influence the hydrosphere, as well as the influence of the hydrosphere on the environment. 

 

The course emphasizes the use of laboratory and field investigation to collect data on structure, function, and interactions of diverse marine organisms and ultimately explore issues involving the human impact on the marine environment. Laboratory investigations including the use of scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem-solving, and experimental procedures are an integral part of the course.  

 

This spring, students in the class are studying marine habitats and ecosystems, human impact on marine life, biotechnology and research, pollution and conservation, and the future of an ocean planet.

 

In these photos, students count, graph, and plot the density of little gray and ivory barnacles at the school's waterfront. 

 

Estella is the daughter of Thomas and Patricia Mayhew of Irvington. She is an Honors student, a member of the National Honor Society and a Student Sustainability Coordinator. She participates in the school's River and Outdoor program, and is on the volleyball and swim teams. 

May 15–17, 2026 | Christchurch School, Virginia

Christchurch School has been selected to host the 2026 InterScholastic Sailing Association (ISSA) Team Race National Championship, known as the Baker Trophy, one of the most prestigious events in U.S. high school sailing. The championship will take place May 15–17, 2026, on the Rappahannock River at the school’s waterfront campus in Virginia.

Rarely hosted on a secondary school campus, the Baker Trophy brings together the top high school sailing teams from across the country. Christchurch is one of the few schools nationally with the facilities, fleet, and river access capable of hosting a regatta of this caliber.

The three-day regatta, held annually since 1989, features the nation’s top teams competing in team racing, a fast-paced and highly strategic format. Twelve schools will qualify through regional and national competitions leading up to the championship.

The event is free and open to the public.

This marks only the second time in the event’s history that the Baker Trophy will be hosted at a secondary school rather than a yacht club or dedicated sailing venue.

“Hosting the Baker Trophy places Christchurch on the national stage in a meaningful way,” said Head of School Billy Coyle. “This event reflects the strength of our sailing program and the unique advantage of learning and competing on a river campus.”

Christchurch is no stranger to the Baker Trophy. The school won the national championship in 2019, bringing the trophy to campus and earning national recognition, including a cover feature in Chesapeake Bay Magazine.

Christchurch is uniquely positioned to host the championship, with its Clyde V. Kelly IV Sailing Pavilion, a full fleet of Zim FJs, and direct access to the Rappahannock River from its 125-acre waterfront campus. The school has previously hosted major Mid-Atlantic regattas and national qualifiers.

Founded in 1921, Christchurch School has a long tradition of sailing, with the sport central to its identity. The sailing program includes varsity, junior varsity, and Learn-to-Sail, with athletes training and competing year-round directly from campus.

Christchurch School announces that registration for its 2026 Summer Camps is now open. This summer, the school is offering three very different  experiences designed especially for students who want to stay active, try something new, and grow in independence. All three camps take place on the school's 125-acre, waterfront campus located in Middlesex County. 

Christchurch School Director of Athletics and Co-Curriculars Joel Jorgensen announces that Christchurch has been unanimously voted into the League of Independent Schools (LIS) for the 2026-27 school year. Christchurch will compete in the LIS for volleyball, girls basketball, girls soccer, and softball. The LIS is one of the oldest girls-only leagues in the country. Other LIS members include: Collegiate School (Richmond), Norfolk Academy (Norfolk), St. Catherine's School (Richmond), St. Gertrude's School (Richmond), St. Anne's Belfield (Charlottesville), St. Margaret's School (Tappahannock), Trinity Episcopal (Richmond), and Veritas School (Richmond). 

 

Associate Director of Athletics and Assistant Girls Basketball Coach Taylor Carter says, "Being accepted into the LIS is an honor and a credit to our student-athletes. This milestone represents the recognition our program has worked hard to earn at CCS. While I have only been here for three years, I’ve witnessed tremendous growth and meaningful strides in our girls basketball program, making this an exciting and rewarding moment. It also represents a healthy challenge—one we are eager to embrace through competition while proudly representing our school with Seahorse pride."