Hampton Roads Academy

At Hampton Roads Academy you will find an atmosphere of community and learning that is unmatched and unmistakable. While our mission states that we prepare students intellectually, artistically, physically and morally for the rigors of higher education and of life, we do so by living within a culture of honesty, respect, and responsibility. HRA students believe in themselves, find value in others, and carry these sophistications out into the world as they grow. They emerge with the skills and confidence they need to make a difference in a complex and ever-changing world.

The hallmark of HRA is its cultivation of a community of compassion and excellence that nurtures the whole student. This community is achieved through a top quality academic program, personal attention to each student, and an environment which is safe both physically and emotionally. Every student is encouraged to explore a variety of experiences, academic and extra-curricular, from the science labs, to the playing fields, to the stage. At HRA, each student is valued for, and encouraged to cultivate their individual strengths.

We know that our students’ success is built upon the relationships developed in our community. HRA is proud of our dedicated, talented faculty who know the students as individuals, who guide them as role models as well as teach them and inspire them to think creatively, communicate effectively and work collaboratively. Our graduates go to highly competitive colleges and universities, confident in their abilities and ready to meet the challenges of higher education and life. Hampton Roads Academy, an inclusive community of service and compassion, prepares students to excel intellectually, artistically, physically, and morally in higher education and in life.

Students are challenged by an academically demanding curriculum and supported by a caring, compassionate community. The goal of the Lower School is to develop students intellectually, artistically, physically and morally. Therefore, faculty and staff incorporate a comprehensive, instructional approach supporting the Academy’s core values of Honesty, Respect and Responsibility. Students understand and internalize the qualities that help them grow into caring, successful and productive citizens.

The extensive curriculum is enhanced by the wealth of cultural and enrichment opportunities available throughout the Hampton Roads area. Students are also offered the opportunity to become involved in community service, clubs and extra-curricular activities sponsored by teachers and parents. College counseling at Hampton Roads Academy begins, in essence, the moment a family chooses to enroll their child at the Academy. As a college preparatory school, the curriculum is structured in order to prepare all students for success at the college or university they ultimately choose.

The College Counseling Office works with students and their families to guide them through the college search and application process. This process begins in the ninth grade as faculty advisors work with students in planning appropriate courses. Advisors also work with students as they learn to balance academics with a range of extra-curricular activities and athletics. College Counselors meet with students and host periodic parent information sessions throughout the ninth and tenth grade years. Formal college counseling begins in the junior year when students and their parents attend the annual College Night program where families are introduced to the process and the year ahead. Each junior and his or her parents have an individual meeting with a college counselor early in the spring semester to create an initial list of colleges. Over the next year and a half, students and parents continue to work closely with the college counseling staff from the first meeting through graduation. The college counselors serve as resources, guides, and advocates for students and families as they navigate the process of investigating colleges and universities, applying to schools, and making the final decision of where to attend.