Norfolk Academy | |
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Address | |
1585 Wesleyan Drive Norfolk, Virginia United States |
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Information | |
Type | Private, Day, College-prep |
Motto | ου πολλα αλλα πολυ (Greek) (Not quantity, but quality) |
Established | 1728 |
Headmaster | Dennis Manning |
Grades | 1–12 |
Gender | Co-educational |
Enrollment | 1200 students in 1–12 |
Campus | 70 acres (28 ha) |
Color(s) | Orange, Blue, White |
Athletics conference | TCIS |
Mascot | Bulldog |
Website | Norfolk Academy |
Norfolk Academy
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Norfolk Academy, 420 Bank Street, c.1840
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Location | 420 Bank St., Norfolk, Virginia |
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Coordinates | 36°51′6″N 76°17′7″W / 36.85167°N 76.28528°W |
Area | 0 acres (0 ha) |
Built | 1840 |
NRHP Reference # | 69000343 |
VLR # | 122-0018 |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | November 12, 1969 |
Designated VLR | September 9, 1969 |
Norfolk Academy (NA) is an independent co-educational day school in Norfolk, Virginia. Chartered in 1728, it is the oldest secondary school in Virginia and the eighth oldest in the United States. In 1966, Norfolk Academy merged with Country Day School for Girls in Virginia Beach, Virginia to create the current co-educational school. It serves students in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, and Suffolk.
In sports, NA competes in the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools (TCIS) as well as in the Virginia Preparatory League (males) and the League of Independent Schools (females).
The original Norfolk Academy building was designed by architect Thomas Ustick Walter, who subsequently fourth designed the dome of the U.S. Capitol. The Greek-revival building, featured on the school's current seal (at right), was modeled after the Temple of Thesus in Athens. Subsequently, the building would serve as a military hospital during the American Civil War, a Red Cross building in World War I and from 1920-1970 as the City of Norfolk's Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, and from 1973 as the City of Norfolk's Chamber of Commerce.
Originally accessible via downtown Norfolk's Bank Street, the building now sits at the intersection of East Charlotte Street and St. Paul's Boulevard. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.
The building is now Virginia's leading family theatre, The Hurrah Players
The Academy attempts to maintain high standards, both academic and ethical, for students and faculty. Norfolk Academy students are also known for their matriculation to top colleges and universities.
Students are required to research, compose, and deliver to the student body and faculty an original persuasive speech as a graduation requirement. Public Speaking skills are integrated into the curriculum from the 1st grade on.
Norfolk Academy’s German program was recognized in 2007 as the number one German program in the country among high schools. The College Board recognition for the school and German program has been earned, as the Report notes, through the performance of students on the AP German Language Exam. The ongoing exchange with the Copernicus Gymnasium, Löningen (Germany) has been in place since 1973. This exchange is the longest-running high school student exchange program between the two countries.