Norfolk Academy / Historical Visits

Last week, Carolynn and I drove to Norfolk, Virginia to visit her brother and his family for the weekend.We decided to visit Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's home) and Colonial Williamsburg while we were in the area.In addition, we scheduled a visit to Norfolk Academy.

Norfolk Academy (chartered in 1728) is a 1st – 12th grade school sitting on 75 acres of land with 1,230 students (360 in the middle school, class size is between 14-18).This is the first 7th - 9th grade middle school that we've encountered on this trip.Wonder if this exists anywhere else? When asked why a 7th - 9th middle school instead of a traditional 5th or 6th – 8th, the middle school head said that kids seems to grow up too quickly these days with lots of social pressures in a tough environment and that grouping them with 7th and 8th graders (instead of 11th and 12th graders) allows them to "slow down a bit" and be influenced in a more positive way. It seems to work for them.

Norfolk Academy's advisory program meets only once a month for a lunch period plus a 45-minute period after lunch (12-13 advisees per advisory).Topics covered in during the advisory include middle school survival skills (for 7th graders only), time management, the use of planners, the development of study skills, and a variety of fun activities.The advisors briefly "touch bases" with each of their individuals in their advisory once a day to make sure everything is going smoothly.

The science curriculum at Norfolk Academy includes a 6th grade general science, 7th grade life science, 8th grade physical science, and 9th grade biology.The high school is not an AP school but offers chemistry and physics followed up by 'advanced' classes in biology, chemistry and physics.

Although Norfolk Academy seems to have a project-based curriculum, the amount of integration between disciplines is limited but "evolving."It is entirely up to the teachers getting together on their own to look for 'natural' overlapping concepts that they could integrate.Admittedly, they haven't maximized their potential for integration yet.One of the projects that was mentioned was their 'Ophelia' project that the 7th grade girls participate in.It is an integrated project where the girls look at body image and the impact it has on their overall well-being.They are looking for ways to expand the project to include the boys.

Norfolk Academy's middle school is completely wireless and has 4 computer labs filled with PC desktops.They seem to be a bit concerned that technology may "… detract from the personal experience of education" and are somewhat leery of a one-to-one laptop program.They certainly have enough computers that are available to both teachers and students to use for whatever projects that they are involved in their classes.Most of the classrooms have the smart board technology to use in their activities.N.A. has a system in place called T.I.P. (Technology Innovative Program) to support teachers (and their students) in any innovative program that requires a new technology purchase.

Admittedly, Norfolk Academy " … doesn't deal substantially with students with learning differences."They seem to do a good job in accommodating ANYONE (L.D. or not) who needs the support.Their curriculum claims to be highly individualized that accommodates students with the basics of support, like tutoring and providing extended time for students who need it.There are grade level chairs that organize a grade level meeting once a week where part of the meeting is devoted to red flagging students who need special help and accommodations.If there are significant problems, a teacher is assigned (chosen) to the student and contacts the parents.The teacher is chosen based on how well they know the student and whether the student identifies well with the teacher, rather than just having the student's advisor be their advocate.

Norfolk is a well-endowed school with an impressive campus that supports their students admirably.

Besides this school visit, CC and I have been enjoying learning more about the history of our country while here on in the east coast.I've mentioned this before on previous blog entries and mention it again as we had the opportunity to recently visit Monticello, James Madison's home, Colonial Williamsburg, and the White House.

We visited Colonial Williamsburg on a gorgeous day (temps in the 70's …YEA!!).We witnessed a fascinating speech by Thomas Jefferson (reenactment) in the back yard of the Governor's mansion.He talked about his views on education and religion, among other topics.He opened it up to questions after the speech where he answered questions about national health care reform, slavery, and his opinion on having an African American (or a woman) as President of the United States.He did a fabulous and humorous job of staying in character while answering these contemporary questions.This was certainly the highlight of the visit for me.

Monticello is an impressive piece of land near Charlottesville, Virginia.The tour showed that Thomas Jefferson certainly was a lot more sustainable in his lifestyle than most would think.He was also a 'gadget' man as there were a lot of ingenious inventions that were used in his house.The main clock above the front entrance was run completely by a weight system that even showed the day of the week. The past Presidents of our country sure know how to live once they leave office.

For those of you who have been on the White House tour in Washington, D.C. may be interested to find out that the tour now is a self-guided tour.We walked through the many of the rooms of the White House, including the room on the east side of the building that was used the day before for the signing of the 'National Health Care.'The media circus surrounding that event was long gone.

Our school visits for the Mid-Atlantic area are completed and we will now head down to the outer banks of North Carolina at the end of the week to spend time with CC's family.Her dad, Douglas, has rented a house on the beach where he, CC's brother (and family) and CC's sister will meet up with us to relax for a week.After that, we will head up to the NE (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, etc.). We have plans to visit a few schools in the Boston area while we are there. I certainly hope that this blog entry finds you all well.Please feel free to comment or say hi by either emailing me or by pressing the comment button below.