Norfolk Academy

That's a wrap on our Year of Inquiry, and what a year it was! As Head of School Travis Larrabee said at Closing Exercises, "There is a lot to celebrate. We have seen students take intellectual risks, discover new interests, persevere through challenges, and support one another along the way. We have seen them grow not only as learners but as people."

We know that growth will continue. Enjoy the summer, Bulldogs!

Upper School students reunited on campus after two weeks of Maymester experiential learning, sharing their many highlights. Not a bad way to go into summer break!

Middle School Mini-mester: Moving the classroom into nature! Recapping five days of experiential learning as students head into summer break!

While 7th graders are exploring Chesapeake Bay and 9th graders are exploring the woods at Leadership Lab, 8th graders are taking part in a variety of experiential learning opportunities around Hampton Roads. For example, Livestrong Mini-mester is living strong, learning from Livestrong President Suzanne Stone and visiting the Adventure Park in Virginia Beach. The group also visits Roc Solid, a nonprofit pediatric cancer foundation in Chesapeake that builds hope for families, and the Sentara Brock Cancer Center in Norfolk.

Poverty in America Maymester spent a week on the Eastern Shore, learning about that environment while helping build a home with Habitat for Humanity. Their service brought social media shoutouts from businesses in the region. "Thank you, to all of you, for volunteering to be a part of the progression of our local community!"

Seventh graders this year are all in one specific Mini-mester, Living Waters: Environmental Challenges and Sustainability of the Chesapeake Bay. Students are learning about the bay's geography and inhabitants, restoration efforts, sea level rise, and a host of other topics. A few of their excursions: Labs at VIMS Wachapreague and VIMS Gloucester Point; Ryan Resilience Lab; Paradise Creek Park; First Landing State Park; and Brock Center.

American Revolutionary Expressionists combined history and art, absorbing hands-on lessons and listening tours in both on a trip that took the group from Hampton Roads up to Philadelphia. Among the stops: Chrysler Museum in Norfolk; MOCA in Virginia Beach; American Revolutionary Museum in Yorktown; and the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, where students heard from Ret. Gen. John Jumper, an NA Trustee and retired Air Force Chief of Staff.

As we tick off the final days of this Year of Inquiry, there are so many people to thank for making it a success. For the incredible photos you see and love on social media, from our first day through graduation and on all the big days in between, we appreciate the hard work and tremendous skills of our A+ photographers, Stephanie Kalis and Steven Goldburg '04! 👏 👏👏

Surfs up! Middle School Mini-mester Sea Scouts hit the Virginia Beach Oceanfront on Monday, learning about water safety and how to master surfing. Upper School students in Visual Arts Maymester were also there, working on their photography skills.

Finishing the year strong! While Upper and Middle School are on their experiential learning explorations, Lower School held its annual Seminar Day on Monday. This day brings together grades 1-6 in a wide array of fun activities covering academics, arts, athletics, and community service. Students delve into a whole host of lessons while bonding with schoolmates they wouldn't ordinarily cross paths with.