Nansemond-Suffolk Academy View Book

NANSEMOND-SUFFOLK ACADEMY S

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The mission of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy is to provide an academically rigorous college preparatory education in an atmosphere fostering moral character, respect, responsibility and compassion. With a commitment to honor above all, the Academy seeks to develop and inspire leaders who value diversity, creativity, scholastic excellence and community service.

A COMMUNITY OF SAINTS At Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, students are engaged in a superior independent school experience where they are a part of a close-knit community. The environment of mutual respect and trust ensures that every student at NSA has that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a foundation for lifelong learning.

As a result of the safe and trusting environment, our students are comfortable taking chances in the intimacy of our classrooms, developing artistic talent and enjoying the camaraderie of being a valued member of one of our athletic teams. Given the broad range of opportunities available, NSA students obtain a holistic education in which each student has an opportunity to maximize his or her individual potential.

A COMMUNITY LIKE NONE OTHER

WHERE EACH STUDENT IS AN INDIVIDUAL

LIFELONG LEARNING The Helen B. Holland Early School The Helen B. Holland Early School provides a stimulating environment in which our youngest children can play, explore and learn. A literature-based curriculum is followed that includes literacy skills, mathematical concepts, language development and basic social studies.

Students receive instruction in art, music, Spanish, library skills and physical movement in resource classes taught by our Lower School faculty. A technology educator also works with students individually on iPads to reinforce the concepts that they are learning in the classroom, and a science instructor provides each class with experiments and lab activities that are tailored to young children. Students begin to develop essential problem-solving skills and just as important, they learn how to get along with others in a safe and nurturing environment.

The Lower School Lower School students spend their days in a caring community where each child is known as an individual. Students hone the reading, writing, mathematical, scientific and social skills which will serve them well later in the Middle School and beyond. At NSA, we stress the importance of being a good citizen – through acts of kindness and service – as well as being a good student. We also encourage independent thinking, whether demonstrated through an interesting insight in class or a new idea for a community service project.

Harbour View Campus Serving students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 3, the Harbour View Campus will provide our youngest students with the option of benefiting from the same college preparatory program that is offered at our main campus, but in an atmosphere closer to home. Before and after-school care will be offered, as well as various enrichment opportunities to address the needs of the whole child. Our Harbour View students will participate in Saints traditions to make a seamless transition to the main campus at the end of their third grade year.

B U I L D I N G A F O U N D AT I O N FOR LIFELONG LEARNING

The Middle School The Middle School years are without a doubt the most influential times in a young person’s life. During this time, young adolescents push boundaries, try on new personalities and develop a better sense of self.

Students are supported through our advisory program but are also challenged to grow, learn and discover their individuality as they navigate through the many changes that they will experience. Our highly qualified and caring faculty is there every step of the way to celebrate academic achievements, talents in artistic, musical or dramatic endeavors and successes on the athletic field.

The Upper School T he Upper School program places a strong emphasis on intellectual, social and physical

growth, so that graduates will not only move into rewarding careers but will also be confident in their ability to overcome life’s inevitable adversities. An advisory program fosters personal growth through a variety of one-on-one conversations, collaborative lessons and community events.

Because graduates have absorbed the lessons of the past and prepared themselves for the changes of the future, they leave NSA ready to make their mark on the world. Students routinely head off to the nation’s best colleges and universities with all of the knowledge, skills and habits they need to succeed.

P R E PA R I N G F O R COLLEGE AND BEYOND

T H E A N N S . P OW E L L O F F I C E OF COLLEGE COUNSELING The Ann S. Powell Office of College Counseling educates students and families about the college admissions process and assists each student in finding a college or university that is the right match for the student. Through a series of seminars and workshops such as discussion panels with college admissions officers, families experience individualized guidance through the complexities of the highly competitive college selection process. Our college counselors stay current on trends in the admissions world by attending professional conferences, as well as visiting individual colleges and universities on a regular basis throughout the year.

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy graduates have recently been accepted at these – and many more – highly regarded colleges and universities: Boston University Clemson University College of William & Mary Duke University Elon University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Florida State University Georgia Institute of Technology George Mason University Hampden-Sydney College James Madison University Longwood University Louisiana State University North Carolina State University Pennsylvania State University Princeton University Purdue University Royal Holloway, University of London The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of Texas at Austin Tulane University University of Florida University of Mary Washington University of Maryland, College Park University of Miami University of Mississippi University of Notre Dame University of Richmond University of South Carolina University of Virginia United States Military Academy at West Point Vanderbilt University Virginia Military Institute Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Washington and Lee University

[ F A C U LT Y ]

WHERE IDEAS COME TO LIFE

S T E M I N N O VA T I O N L A B The STEM Innovation Lab is a central maker-space for all students to develop and grow their natural curiosity through hands-on projects focusing on STEM education (science, technology, engineering and math). Our STEM learning and innovation specialist collaborates with students and faculty members from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 to provide resources to build on the concepts learned in the classroom.

Through project-based learning, students are identifying solutions to social, environmental and personal problems to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subject area that they are studying. Translating an idea into another medium requires them to gain a true understanding of the project’s complexities and its parts, resulting in a higher level of understanding. With encouragement to create and construct solutions to real-world problems, students are learning to invent and inventing to learn – all while developing important skills like brainstorming, critical thinking and collaboration.

P R E PA R I N G A N D E M P OW E R I N G S T U D E N T S

S A N D R A F. B I R D S O N G C E N T E R FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE The Sandra F. Birdsong Center for Academic Excellence is designed to lessen the gap between a student’s achievement and ability level through explicit, responsive teaching and targeted research-based interventions. Funded by the TowneBank Foundation, the center provides supplemental learning support for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 students to ensure the success of all students in a challenging environment.

The center also provides professional development opportunities to faculty and staff to further their understanding of learning differences and differentiated instruction, which includes utilizing student’s strengths, learning styles and interests to provide the appropriate level of challenge for each student. The center’s coordinator works collaboratively with administrators, teachers, parents and students to develop a plan for increased student learning. By offering individualized support, The Sandra F. Birdsong Center for Academic Excellence prepares and empowers students to pursue a challenging curriculum in preparation for college and beyond.

O P P O RT U N I T I E S F O R SELF-EXPRESSION

T H E F I N E A RTS On canvas, in a concert hall or on stage, we celebrate students who pursue artistic excellence. From Pre-Kindergarten onward, students attend music and visual arts classes in which they are inspired to create, perform and express themselves. Viewed as an integral part of a complete education, the arts can greatly enhance a child’s self-esteem and overall academic performance. From our musicals and dramas to our holiday and spring concerts, the entire school community enjoys the remarkable talents of our students and their teachers in a variety of annual fine arts events.

M A X I M I Z I N G INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL

AT H L E T I C S – G O S A I N T S !

NSA has a thorough athletic program, offering a wide array of sports for students in the Middle and Upper School. While we have earned numerous state championships and a well-deserved reputation for fielding highly competitive teams, plenty of opportunities exist for students of all ability levels to play on a team. Multiple levels of teams in every sport are offered, so all students can experience what it means to put on a blue and gold uniform and compete for their school. The practices, the camaraderie and the relationships are what ultimately count. If our students learn how to compete and how to cooperate, they will be further prepared to be productive citizens of the global world.

E N R I C H M E N T O P P O RT U N I T I E S NSA’s size allows students to participate in and make meaningful contributions to many aspects of campus life. In each division, after-school enrichment opportunities are available.

Students are able to gain valuable leadership experience through student government, clubs or interest groups, such as theatre, forensics and LEGOÂŽ Robotics, while connecting with peers with similar interests and building friendships for a lifetime.

UNIFIED BY TRADITIONS NSA has established many cherished traditions that help promote a sense of community and provide continuity from one generation of students to the next. From Convocation to Commencement, the year is filled with events and celebrations in support of our students’ artistic, athletic and academic achievements.

A S T U D E N T- C E N T E R E D L E A R N I N G E N V I RO N M E N T

G R O W T H - M I N D E D F A C U LT Y Our faculty and staff are committed to their learning, too. To offer a more studentcentered learning environment, they continually explore the latest trends in teaching.

All of our faculty participate in professional learning communities on a regular basis to refine classroom strategies and pedagogy. In addition, at the start of each new academic year, faculty members participate in a goal-setting process to make a commitment to their own individual growth in the classroom, to implement best practices and to further meet the needs of our students.

EXCELLENCE I S O U R S TA N D A R D

C A M P U S S E RV I C E S At NSA, excellence is our standard. From our programs and pedagogy, to our personnel and operations, we are committed to helping our students achieve their maximum potential with the support of additional campus services. From promoting student wellness and providing healthy food, to extended day and summer programs, we’re committed to making sure our students get the most out of their education.

Health Services Our Health Clinic at the main campus is staffed by two full-time registered nurses to ensure a safe and healthy school environment. Our goal is to provide a continuum of care for a successful transition from school to home to health provider and back.

Dining Services At the main campus, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy partners with FLIK Independent School Dining to manage our food service needs. Their philosophy, “Eat. Learn. Live.” is to provide wholesome, nutritious meals in conjunction with nutrition education.

FLIK prepares meals from fresh, whole ingredients, limiting the use of frozen, canned or processed foods and focuses on local, sustainable and responsibly sourced ingredients.

From the colorful salad bar to soups made from scratch, our menu is customized to meet the needs of our students, including considerations for allergies and food sensitivities.

Transportation Nansemond-Suffolk Academy operates its own fleet of school buses to assist with the transportation needs of our families. Certified commercial bus drivers transport students throughout Hampton Roads and northeastern North Carolina. Two activity routes are also available for students involved in after-school activities.

Counseling The Lower, Middle and Upper School each have a dedicated counselor who specializes in dealing with different types of social and developmental issues specific to each age group. As students prepare for an ever-changing world, they face unique and diverse challenges, both personally and developmentally that impact academic achievement. In collaboration with the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy community, the school counselor supports the development of well-informed, responsible and compassionate students who are prepared to think and act constructively.

Technology We acknowledge and embrace the increasingly complex role that technology plays in our lives and celebrate the worldwide connectivity that it brings. Technology is used as a powerful aid to learning, expanding possibilities for both students and teachers.

Classroom teachers use a variety of tools – from laptops and iPads to interactive whiteboards and projectors – to assist them with presentations, pedagogy and productivity, to access the Internet, to exchange papers with students via Google drive, as well as to post resources on class websites.

Lower School students work with a technology educator weekly and learn coding basics beginning in Pre-Kindergarten. In the Middle School, a 1:1 Program enhances the course of study and encourages responsibility and independence, as well as lessons in cyberethics. Google Apps for Education provides the latest in cloud-based educational tools, allowing Middle and Upper School students to easily collaborate with one another in the classroom or at home. Our goal is for all students to have the tools to better understand how technology works, to think computationally and logically and to work collaboratively. Resources are continually updated as technology evolves.

Extended Day Program Our before and a足 fter-足school programs provide careful supervision of children in a setting that fosters self-足esteem and friendships, while providing enjoyable social play and study activities. Fresh fruit and infused water is served daily, along with a nutritious snack. The program is available to students in Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth Grade.

Summer Programs Nansemond-Suffolk Academy offers several programs throughout the summer to inspire children to be creative and curious as they explore their interests and build relationships and confidence. Multiple enrichment opportunities are available, such as swimming, sports, science, art and cooking. Each themed-week is filled with educational exploration and fun, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Our academic programs empower students to feel confident in their abilities in an environment that is both challenging and encouraging. Students are able to focus on one class to prepare for the next year or to get ahead. We also offer several STEM-themed programs to allow students to explore subjects that pique their natural curiosity. From designing engineering solutions to creating smartphone apps, there is something for everyone. The hands-on courses build essential problem-solving skills in a collaborative environment that is fun.

O N C E A S A I N T, A LWAY S A S A I N T There is something significant about attending NSA, and if you ask our alumni, they will tell you that their time at NSA was special. But not merely special in the sense that it was “different,� but special in the friendships that were forged. Recent graduates frequently return to campus to reconnect with teachers or friends, and alumni from various decades connect through our On the Road Reunion program held in various cities from Maryland to South Carolina. Our alumni provide invaluable mentorship opportunities to share stories of their experiences, paths taken and lessons learned, providing a nurturing network far beyond the Upper School years. This impressive network of Saints spans the globe and includes many individuals who are making a great impact in their fields and on society.

CONNECTED FOR LIFE

A F F O R D I N G A N N S A E D U C AT I O N A commitment to make Nansemond-Suffolk Academy affordable to all qualified students is an essential element of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s mission. To make our college preparatory program accessible to a wider range of families, we offer a tuition range (based on demonstrated financial need) to provide talented, ambitious students and their families an opportunity to become a part of the Saints family. In fact, we awarded more than $1 million in tuition assistance to new and returning students last year. To learn more about our generous tuition assistance program, please visit the affordability page on our website.

Experience What It Means to Be a Saint‌ Visiting campus and experiencing a campus tour are the most meaningful and comprehensive ways to understand what NSA offers. We encourage all families who are interested in learning more about our school to schedule a tour with the Office of Admissions. We look forward to welcoming you. Go Saints!

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy

@NSACADEMY @NSAthletics

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www.nsacademy.org

www.nsacademy.org

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