Alma Bella Academy

08/11/2026

Hi Alma Bella Families! 🍎

**Fall 2026 Open Enrollment is now underway!**

I am finalizing our fall enrollment and need to hear from everyone **by this Friday**.

Please let me know:
• Do you plan for your child to attend Alma Bella this fall?
• Will they attend **Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or BOTH days?**

You can simply **text me back with the day(s)** your child will attend, or print the enrollment form and circle your preferred days.

📅 **Please look carefully at the dates on the enrollment form** so you are aware of our fall schedule and days we will be open.

The folder below includes both the **Letter of Intent and Fall Enrollment Form:**

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wiq9cigNHps4SyT1A3e6kdwenE0iUt8g?usp=share_link

I will be at the Academy **today until 8:00 PM** if you would like to stop by and pick up a printed copy.

Thank you! I’m looking forward to a great fall at Alma Bella! ❤️

~ Dr. Debi Graves
Alma Bella Academy

08/08/2026

🍎 FALL ENROLLMENT IS NOW OPEN AT ALMA BELLA ACADEMY! 🎨📚
Looking for something different for your child this fall? Come discover an educational environment where creativity, hands-on learning, exploration, and individualized support come together.
Alma Bella Academy is now accepting enrollment for our Fall 2026 programs:
✨ After-School Enrichment | Grades K–8
📚 Homeschool Hybrid | Grades K–12
🎨 Hands-on art, STEAM & enrichment
🚌 Transportation from Curtis Elementary & Elizabeth Davis Middle School
❤️ Small-group, supportive learning environment
🏡 OPEN HOUSE — MONDAY, AUGUST 10 | 1–8 PM
Stop by anytime between 1:00–8:00 PM to:
✨ Tour Alma Bella Academy
✨ Meet us and learn about our programs
✨ Ask questions about the fall schedule
✨ Explore our creative learning spaces
✨ Register for Fall 2026
No appointment necessary—just stop by!
📍 Alma Bella Academy
3424 W. Hundred Road
Chester, VA 23831
📞 (804) 920-7053
🌐 Alma Bella Academy
Come see why Alma Bella is more than a place to learn—it's a place for children to create, explore, discover, and grow. 💛
Enrollment is open now, and we would love to welcome your family to Alma Bella this fall!

08/01/2026

Anyone near Ft. Lee? Check out the following! I just took the kids on a fieldtrip there and it was fascinating!

If you would like a road trip, it's Founder's Day in Urbanna 12-3pm.

The Ordnance Training Support Facility is open Saturday, August 1, for their monthly open house where you can see one of their most popular artifacts, Anzio Annie!

This German Railway Gun was operated by the N***s at the Battle of Anzio in 1944. The weapon was used to fire on Allied naval and advancing forces and would then be pulled into the mouth of a tunnel, making it difficult to detect. As Allied troops advanced, the railway gun was eventually captured and returned to the Ordnance Center and School for research and development. Come see it on display August 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The public access gate is back open, so no need to go through the Visitor Center! Remember to enter the museum enclave through our own entrance between Gregg and Sisisky gates on Route 36!

For questions about the Open House or the facility contact:
Weldon Svoboda [email protected], 804-734-6815.
Email correspondence is preferred.
or visit: https://history.army.mil/Army-Museum-Enterprise/Find-an-Army-Museum/US-Army-Ordnance-Training-Support-Facility/

07/30/2026

🏆🏆 We Did It! 🏆🏆

We are incredibly honored to be recognized in the 2026 Best of the Rivah Awards! 💙

🥇 1st Place – Summer Camp
🥈 2nd Place – Place for a Date

When I started Alma Bella, I dreamed of creating a place where people of all ages could gather to learn, create, laugh, and make lasting memories. To be recognized by our community in not just one, but two categories, is truly humbling.

Thank you to everyone who voted, attended a class, sent your children to camp, celebrated a birthday with us, came on a date night, shopped in our boutique, or simply cheered us on. Your support means more than you know.

These awards belong to our incredible students, families, friends, volunteers, instructors, and community partners who have helped make Alma Bella By The Bay a place where art meets education and creativity brings people together.

Here’s to another year of inspiring creativity, building community, and making memories along the Rivah! ❤️🎨

07/30/2026

Today was all about teamwork! 🤝⛳

Our challenge? Build a track that would guide a golf ball all the way into a bucket! It took lots of brainstorming, testing, adjusting, and plenty of laughter along the way. There were a few misses (okay… a LOT of misses! 😂), but our students never gave up.

By working together, encouraging one another, and learning from each attempt, they finally watched that golf ball roll right into the bucket! 🎉

At Alma Bella Academy, we know that some of the biggest lessons aren’t just about science or engineering—they’re about communication, perseverance, problem-solving, and celebrating success as a team.

Great job, everyone! 💙

07/28/2026

☀️ Only TWO WEEKS of Summer Camp Left! ⏳
Before summer ends...
📵 Get your kids off their screens
❄️ Beat the heat with indoor creative fun
🎉 Bust summer boredom with hands-on adventures!
At Alma Bella Academy, campers enjoy art, STEAM activities, games, team-building, and creative projects that inspire imagination while making lasting memories.
These are the FINAL TWO WEEKS of our Chester summer camp season, so don't miss out!
🎨 Make new friends.
🧪 Explore through STEAM.
🌟 Create something amazing every day.
⏳ Spots are filling quickly!
👉 Register today:
https://almabellaacademy.com/camps-%26-field-trips
Let's make these last weeks of summer the most memorable yet! 💙

At Alma Bella Academy, our camps are not just activities—they are intentionally designed learning experiences. Our themed camps blend art, education, and STEAM to create meaningful, hands-on learning—both in the classroom and through thoughtfully planned field trips.

07/27/2026

📚❤️ A Heartfelt Shout-Out to Chesterfield County Public Library! ❤️📚

A huge thank you to the Chesterfield County Public Library for providing such a welcoming, safe, and inspiring place for our campers to explore the wonderful world of books.

Today, our older campers enjoyed getting lost in graphic novels while our younger readers shared stories, played together, and discovered the joy that comes from turning the pages of a great book. There’s something truly special about watching children of all ages connect through reading.

Libraries are so much more than shelves of books—they’re places where imaginations grow, curiosity is encouraged, friendships are made, and lifelong readers are created.

Thank you for opening your doors to our community and helping us inspire the next generation to discover the magic of reading. 💕📖

07/25/2026

Who's ready for a road trip? Next Saturday, August 1st is Founder's Day in Urbanna! So many fun activities planned!