News and Publications

2025

  • Elks Essay Contest WPS Winners

    Berlin, MD –Worcester Preparatory School’s (WPS) Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645 essay contest winners were recently recognized.
     
    This year's theme for the Elks National Great Americanism essay contest was "What Does Patriotism Mean to Me?" Each student submitted an essay consisting of at least 300 words.
     
    Congratulations to WPS student Freddy Hertrich for achieving 1st place, Abigail Kratzner for securing 2nd place, and Grant Messner for receiving 3rd place in the 5th Grade division. In the 6th Grade division, Maddie Bobenko won 2nd place. In the 7th Grade division, Ronit Poddar also earned 2nd place. In the 8th Grade division, Sophia Nguyen achieved 1st place, and Elle Wilsey received 3rd place.
     
    Founded in 1970, WPS is a private, independent school for students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, located in Berlin, Maryland. The school has approximately 500 students attending from Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. For more information about WPS, please visit www.worcesterprep.org or call 410.641.3575.

  • WPS Alumni Association Hosts 100-Day Breakfast for the Class of 2025

    Berlin, MD – In a heartwarming event on the morning of Friday, February 14, the Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) Alumni Association celebrated a significant milestone—the final 100 days before graduation—for the class of 2025. Held in the library lecture room, the occasion was marked by a delicious breakfast, stirring speeches, and wonderful advice from Lower School students.
     
    Head of School, Dr. John McDonald, and Assistant Head of School/Athletic Director Mr. Mike Grosso, served as chefs for the event, preparing pancakes and French toast for the attendees. WPS Alumni Association President, Ashlee Reed Hidell ’00, welcomed the senior class and offered words of wisdom to the future graduates.
     
    The featured guest speaker at the breakfast was Madison Bescak Buas, a 2017 graduate of Worcester Prep. Maddie earned her degree from the University of Maryland in College Park in 2021 and is now the owner of Snow Daze, a shaved ice and ice cream business in West Ocean City. She shared insights about her journey—from her college experience to launching her own business—and reflected on how Worcester Prep played a role in shaping her future.
     
    A highlight of the morning was when seniors read a stack of advice given by Lower School students for seniors in their first year at college. From making sure to spend time with their parents to remembering to brush their teeth, seniors ended the morning with smiles and laughs from the heartfelt gesture.
     
    Founded in 1970, WPS is a private, independent Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 School, located in Berlin, Maryland. Approximately 500 students attend from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. For more information about WPS, please visit www.worcesterprep.org or call 410.641.3575.

  • WPS Junior Partners with RecycleBalls to Promote Tennis Ball Recycling

    Berlin, MD – As the tennis season approaches, Worcester Preparatory School junior Catherine Cullen is teaming up with RecycleBalls to help prevent tennis balls from ending up in landfills.
     
    RecycleBalls is a non-profit organization dedicated to reusing and recycling as many tennis balls as possible across the United States. Millions of used tennis balls contribute to landfill waste, and the materials they are made from can take approximately 400 years to decompose.
     
    Catherine learned about RecycleBalls through a family member acquainted with the organization's founders. She discovered that they were seeking assistance in promoting their initiative in various regions.
     
    “I enjoy playing tennis and am very concerned about this environmental issue, which is why I want to get involved,” Catherine stated. “Many student ambassadors have participated in this program, and being one in this area would greatly support this cause and benefit our environment.”
     
    With Berlin located near numerous tennis courts and resort towns, Catherine hopes to collect a significant number of used tennis balls. Once the minimum of 100 or more tennis balls are gathered, they will be shipped to RecycleBalls in Vermont. There, these tennis balls will be repurposed into products such as horse footing, Green Gold (ground-up recycled balls used in tennis courts), and dog balls. The organization is also exploring additional ideas for repurposing, including t-shirts and shoes.
     
    Tennis ball recycling containers are in Worcester Prep’s Athletic and Performing Arts Center. Donations will be collected throughout the tennis season this spring.
     
    For more information on RecycleBalls, visit their website at www.recycleballs.org.
     
    Founded in 1970, Worcester Preparatory School is a private, independent institution serving Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, located in Berlin, Maryland. The school enrolls approximately 500 students from Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. For more information about Worcester Preparatory School, please visit www.worcesterprep.org or call 410-641-3575.

  • Berlin Mayor Visits WPS 4th Grade

    Berlin, MD – On Friday, February 7, Mrs. Jankowski and Mrs. Purnell's 4th-grade classes had the opportunity to meet with Mayor Zack Tyndall of the Town of Berlin, Maryland, to discuss the annual Maryland Municipal League’s “If I Were Mayor, I Would…” essay contest.

    At Worcester Preparatory School (WPS), participating in this essay contest has evolved into a cherished tradition. This year's theme, “Building Community for a New Generation,” encourages students to write an essay that envisions how they would enhance their town for the future and foster a sense of belonging within the community.

    During the meeting, Mayor Tyndall shared insights about his responsibilities as the mayor, the various departments that contribute to the governance of Berlin, and his aspirations for future initiatives aimed at improving the town.
     
    Founded in 1970, WPS is a private, independent Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 School, located in Berlin, Maryland. Approximately 500 students attend from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. For more information about WPS, please visit www.worcesterprep.org or call 410.641.3575.

  • WPS Class of 2026 Ring Ceremony

    Berlin, MD – The annual Junior Ring Ceremony took place at Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) on Thursday, February 6, 2025. It is tradition that seniors present the juniors with their class rings along with a few insightful comments as to why the recipient is special to them. The Ring Ceremony is always an inspiring event showing the bond and friendship between peers.
     
    Founded in 1970, WPS is a private, independent Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 School, located in Berlin, Maryland. Approximately 500 students attend from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. For more information about WPS, please visit www.worcesterprep.org or call 410.641.3575.

  • WPS Announces Middle School Winter Sports Award Recipients

    Berlin, MD – Congratulations to this year’s Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) Middle School students who captured coveted Winter Sports Awards.
     
    Middle School Cheerleading
    MVP – Addy Wisniewski (Bishopville, MD)
    Coach’s Award – Ava Holland (Berlin, MD)
    Most Improved Player – Abby Ferguson (Ocean City, MD)
     
    7th Grade Girls Basketball
    MVP – Vivi Grinestaff (Berlin, MD)
    Coach’s Award – Haley Hanna (Bishopville, MD)
    Most Improved Player – Sadie Kremer (Snow Hill, MD)
     
    7th Grade Boys Basketball
    MVP – CJ Labin (Rehoboth Beach, DE)
    Coach’s Award – Cullen Giardina (Berlin, MD)
    Most Improved Player – Ronit Poddar (Ocean Pines, MD)
     
    8th Grade Girls Basketball
    MVP – Kylee Hutton (Millsboro, DE)
    Coach’s Award – Mariella Anthony (Frankford, DE)
    Most Improved Player – Madison Andrews (Ocean City, MD)
     
    8th Grade Boys Basketball
    MVP – John Parker (Berlin, MD)
    Coach’s Award – Reed Grinestaff (Berlin, MD)
    Most Improved Player – Brax Giardina (Berlin, MD)
     
    Founded in 1970, WPS is a private, independent Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 School, located in Berlin, Maryland. Approximately 500 students attend from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. For more information about WPS, please visit www.worcesterprep.org or call 410.641.3575.

  • WPS Middle School Young Writer Awardees Announced

    Berlin, MD – Last week, Mr. Jake Perry, Head of Middle School at Worcester Preparatory School (WPS), announced the winners of this year’s Young Writer’s Fright Club contest for middle school students. Congratulations to the award winners: Tenley Absher, Claire Cooper, Anna French, Emmy Givens-Grevey, Raia Gorfinkel, Lillian Ha, Sadie Kremer, Teaghan Weinstein, and Lilly White.
     
    Young Writers organizes national writing contests for schools, aiming to transform students' imagination and creative abilities into confidence and writing skills. They provide vital support to educators across the country by offering engaging creative writing contests, themes, and exceptional resources, while also awarding fantastic prizes to both schools and students. The excitement generated by Young Writers' contests helps to inspire and unleash the creativity of students. For more information about Young Writers, please visit their website at Young Writers USA.
     
    Founded in 1970, Worcester Preparatory School is a private, independent institution serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, located in Berlin, Maryland. Approximately 500 students from Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia are enrolled. For more details about WPS, visit www.worcesterprep.org or call 410-641-3575.
Back 2025

Worcester Preparatory School

508 South Main Street, Berlin, MD 21811
Phone: 410-641-3575 | Fax: 410-641-3586
Celebrating 50 years, WPS is an independent, college prep day school for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 students. Located in Berlin, Maryland, the private school attracts an average of 500 students from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.