Print Print E-mail E-mail Share Share
Mission & Philosophy



The Linsly School offers a traditional college preparatory program where academic excellence and character development are emphasized in every facet of student life.

Philosophy
The Linsly School is a coeducational, college preparatory, day and boarding school for 440 students in grades 5-12. Students are selected based on their willingness to engage completely in a school community built upon a challenging academic program that seeks to realize each student’s potential. While Linsly day students reside in the greater Wheeling area, resident students are drawn from throughout West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and beyond.

Faculty Role Models
Linsly students develop in a fair, consistent, and stable environment that promotes extensive, formative interaction with teachers. By modeling Linsly’s core values of hard work, respect, perseverance, and honesty, Linsly faculty members serve as role models and mentors in every facet of school life.

Traditional Education
Linsly provides a strong, structured, traditional curriculum through which students strive to master the intellectual foundations essential for academic success. The Lower School (grades 5-8) program of studies emphasizes the mastery of fundamental concepts through innovative cross-curricular programs and regimented learning, all of which are designed to prepare students for college preparatory curriculum of the Upper School (grades 9-12). Linsly’s Upper School prepares students for the rigors of higher education through a broad and extensive study in the core concepts required in all major academic disciplines.

Balanced by an emphasis on aesthetic awareness through the arts, and individual curiosity through independent research, Linsly’s wide-ranging college preparatory program strives to create students whose habits of mind are valued in college and university settings.

The Linsly Experience
Comprehensive in nature, the Linsly experience extends well beyond the requirements of the classroom. Linsly encourages students to develop their physical skills and realize individual interests through a well-managed program of athletics and extracurricular activities. Linsly’s no cut / no quit policy ensures a spot for all students on athletic teams, and requires them to honor their commitments. A respect for competition and sportsmanship, an appreciation for sound physical health, and a willingness to persevere through challenges are values promoted throughout Linsly’s athletic program. Complementing the athletic program, Linsly’s clubs, organizations, and interest groups present students with meaningful opportunities to make connections and contribute to the school community.
Mr. Plumby Explains Character Development & the Volunteering Program
(Mr. David Plumby is the Dean of Students and the Director of our Boarding Department)

"Character development infuses every aspect of the Linsly experience. We believe that students develop respected character traits and self-esteem by facing difficult challenges and working to overcome them. To this end, Linsly students should be self-reliant, eager to work, respectful of authority, and willing to give of themselves for the good of the school. To encourage these behaviors, Linsly promotes a sense of community in which families, teachers, and students develop mutual respect and understanding.

Linsly believes very strongly that a well rounded student benefits tremendously from volunteering to help others.  Therefore, every upper school student is required to join at least one Linsly service club.  As a member of the club, the student must participate in at least one service project per year.

Linsly has always had a tremendous number of students volunteer on their own for various projects at the school and in the community.  This program expands our coverage so that each and every upper school student can benefit from participation."