Academy Profile, 2007-2008
Mission:
Chesapeake Academy is an independent, co-educational day school serving a diverse population of preschool through eighth grade students in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula of Virginia. The school prepares each student for future academic, moral, social, and physical endeavors in an intellectually challenging environment with a curriculum grounded in a nurturing, family-oriented atmosphere. The Academy prepares each student to have a choice of secondary school enrollment.
Philosophy:
Located in historic Irvington, Virginia, where the Rappahannock River meets the Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Academy is a school dedicated to preparing each student for future academic, ethical, social, and physical endeavors in an intellectually challenging environment.
Bound by common goals and aspirations, Chesapeake Academy students experience an academically challenging, traditional liberal arts curriculum taught by teachers who model creativity, commitment, flexibility, teamwork and a love of learning. Intellectual curiosity is valued, laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning, growth and achievement. Our caring and supportive environment guides children to develop confidence in their abilities. In all aspects of school life, teachers know their students well. This relationship allows teachers to address differences in learning styles and teach in ways children will experience their greatest achievement.
In keeping with our heritage, Chesapeake Academy students are an interconnected community of learners. Our school, guided by a purposeful social and ethical curriculum, is a place where friendships and consideration for others thrive and responsibility and leadership develop. We embrace each other’s beliefs and differences and discover that our diversity enriches us. The school’s community, formed by a unique partnership of parents, students, teachers, alumni and neighbors, works together to help children achieve academic excellence and personal growth. We believe students learn best when teachers, parents and children work in harmony.
From pre-school through eighth grade, Chesapeake Academy students develop and articulate ideas. The inclusion of visual and performing arts in the curriculum encourages self-discovery and creative expression. The physical education and athletic programs promote life-long personal fitness and character development. School-wide experiences and community service opportunities encourage students to be comfortable expressing their ideas in front of others as well as assuming future leadership roles.
Chesapeake Academy believes that an enriched and challenging academic curriculum, within a nurturing, child-centered environment, provides the foundation for future successes.
Accreditation:
Chesapeake Academy is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools, and is, also, a member of the Educational Records Bureau. The State Department of Social Services certifies the Preschool, and licenses the Extended Day Program.
Admissions:
Students whose assessments, interview, prior academic record and recommendations indicate that they can succeed within the framework and curriculum of Chesapeake Academy are admitted. The Academy seeks to enroll students who are:
- Committed to learning and being a part of a community dedicated to honesty, respect, citizenship, and integrity.
- Eager to meet new people.
- Of strong moral character.
- Well rounded, with varied interests and talents.
- Excited about becoming part of a close-knit community.
- Developing themselves to the fullest through academic challenge, athletics competition, and artistic exploration.
- Chesapeake Academy accepts students without regard to race, color, religion, handicap status, national or ethnic origin
Enrollment:
146 students (77 Boys & 69 Girls) in Preschool through Grade Eight. Average class size is 14 students. Student to Teacher ratio is 7:1. Chesapeake Academy is an independent, co-educational day school, in Irvington, serving the following counties, in Virginia: Lancaster, Northumberland, Middlesex, Mathews, and Gloucester.
Faculty and Staff:
32 full and part-time faculty and staff members carry out instructional, operational, and administrative responsibilities.
Teaching faculty are all college graduates, and six have Master's Degrees.
Curriculum:
Designed for a student’s success in a college preparatory secondary school program, the core curriculum includes reading, English, spelling, math, science and social studies. Co-curricular courses and opportunities include: art, music, library, technology, study skills, Spanish, overnight field studies, physical education, and interscholastic sports. High School credit is available in Algebra I and Spanish I in eighth grade.
Grading Scale:
A+ (97-100), A (93-96), A- (90-92), B+ (87-89), B (83-86), B- (80-82), C+ (77-79), C (73-76), C- (70-72), D+ (67-69), D (63-66), D- (60-62), F (<60),
Sampling of Extra Curricular Opportunities/Selected Features:
- Grades Five through Eight participate in Inward Bound, an overnight excursion to an area camp for class bonding
- Grade Eight has a yearly week-long comparative ecosystem field study trip in Florida (Seacamp)
- Grade Four and Middle School students participate in the Independent School Athletic Conference (ISAC) and compete in soccer, volleyball, golf, basketball, tennis and track.
- Early Childhood Enrichment Series events (PALS – Performing Arts & Lecture Series)
- Students in Grades Six through Eight participate in Forensics with ISAC schools
- Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard Community Service Projects (entire school)
- Drama/Musical performances, Osprey Chorus, Tone Chime Choir, and Private instrumental/vocal music lessons
- Student Council and Friday Activity Period Enrichments
- Summer Programs (athletic and educational) are available for ages 5-18
Tuition and Scholarship Assistance:
For the 2008-2009 school year tuition and fees are
- 5-day Preschool $4790.00
- 5-day Pre-Kindergarten $4790.00
- Full-day Kindergarten $7990.00
- Lower School $8090.00
- Middle School $8590.00
Extended Day and Transportation fees are based on usage. 24% of the students receive scholarship assistance, with an average grant per child of $4,074.
Facilities:
The nine and one half acre campus, in Irvington, consists of the following seven buildings: Chesapeake Hall, a 13,800 square foot building housing classrooms for Grades One through Eight, a science lab, technology/language lab, library, Instructional Support, and all administrative offices; Wiley Hall for Preschool through Kindergarten; a recently renovated gymnasium with an adjacent art studio; Academy Hall provides a dining hall, flexible teaching space and a meeting area for parents and community groups; the Cottage, home of the Osprey Nest (school store); and The Residence, in which the Head of School resides, and the Henry Selby nature trail.
Secondary Schools Attended By Chesapeake Academy Graduates (Since 1989):
Independent: Christchurch School, St. Margaret’s School, Woodberry Forest School, Episcopal High School, Virginia Episcopal School, St. Catherine’s, Baylor, Choate, Maderia, Oldfields, Randolph-Macon Academy, St. Andrew’s School, Tandem Friends, The Peddie School, The Phelps School, Woodhall Academy
Public: Lancaster High School, Northumberland High School, Other Public Schools
CAPPA:
Chesapeake Academy Parents and Patrons Association (CAPPA) fosters communication among parents and patrons, facilitates volunteerism, and promotes the mission of the Academy.
Alumni Association:
Chesapeake Academy’s Alumni Association fosters community among alumni, facilitates volunteerism and communication, and promotes the mission of the Academy.
Board of Trustees/Foundation Board:
21 members of the Board serve three-year staggered terms. The four ex-officio members include: the Head of School, Foundation President, CAPPA President, and Alumni Association President. The nine Foundation Board members serve three-year staggered terms and develop strategies to increase the endowment fund and focus on planned giving (The Faye Society).
Annual Budget/Annual Fund/Endowment:
Annual Budget of $1.5 MM for fiscal year 2007-2008 (July 1-June 30) is covered as follows: Tuition revenue provides about 72% with a student enrollment of 146; the Annual Giving goal for 2007-2008 provides about 24%; the endowment distribution covers about 4% of the budget. The $1M Endowment is managed by the Chesapeake Academy Foundation.
