Students sign the Honor Banner during the 2026 Middle School Honor Assembly, signaling their commitment to HRA’s core values

For Abigail Whorley, Director of Middle School at Hampton Roads Academy, “the Honor System is about who we are becoming, both as individuals and as a community.” 

“Middle School gives students countless opportunities every day to make choices, some small and some significant, about how they will show up, how they will treat other people, and what they will do when no one is watching,” she said. “The Honor System gives us a shared framework for those choices.”

On the afternoon of Monday, September 14, students in Grades 5 through 8 joined with faculty members in the Svein J. Lassen Auditorium to affirm their dedication to that framework at the 2026 Middle School Honor Assembly. The event followed a similar gathering for the Upper School the previous Thursday and featured remarks by senior Honor Council co-chairs Adair Loos ’27 and Aniyah Solomon ’27, who (along with Ellie Richardson ’27) are charged with upholding the school’s Honor Code. These parallel and collaborative exercises underscored HRA’s unified commitment to integrity, responsible conduct, and moral as well as academic excellence.

“Honor is the value that defines our community,” said history teacher and Middle School Dean of Students Kerry LiBrando. “In order to ensure this value remains the foundation of our school, is it essential that there is a shared language and commitment across the grade levels and divisions.” The goal of the Middle School Honor Assembly, she explained, was to frame expectations and invite students to signal their intentions for the year ahead, both to themselves and to their classmates, by signing the Honor Banner.

As LiBrando observed, “Starting the year with a public commitment to honor sets your compass for how to approach your classes as well as your peers, coaches, and teachers.”

“The Foundations of a Strong Character”

“The bedrock, the foundation of our lives here at Hampton Roads Academy”: Head of School Jay Lasley describes honor as the character trait that unites and defines the Navigator community

The Honor System, Head of School Jay Lasley told students during the Upper School Honor Council Assembly, is “the bedrock, the foundation of our lives here at Hampton Roads Academy.”

To be a Navigator is to adhere to the three pillars of the Honor System—HRA’s core values of honesty, respect, and responsibility—not only in one’s work as a student, but in all activities both on and off campus. For students, the most visible and tangible reminders of their commitment to the Honor Code are their signatures on the Honor Banner and on each assignment they complete throughout the year, but the code provides a lodestar that extends far beyond academics. 

As Lasley noted, “Honor guides every choice we make on paper, in conversation, and yes, online.”

The framework provided by the HRA Honor Code is especially important for Navigators in Middle School, which LiBrando described as “an era when students are truly in the deep work of building their personal and social identities.” For current fifth graders and Middle Schoolers who are new to HRA, this year’s Honor Assembly marked the first time they had publicly dedicated themselves to the Honor System. The exercises allowed them to launch this chapter of their Navigator journey with a clear ethical sense of direction that will serve them well past their Middle School years.

According to Honor Council faculty sponsor and Upper School English teacher Jeremy Clover, the Honor System “helps set the foundations of a strong character that will stay with the students throughout their lives, regardless of whether they are Anchors or only stay with us for a short time.”

A Public Commitment to Honor

Director of Middle School Abigail Whorley shares a personal story with fifth through eighth graders to illustrate what it means to choose the “hard right” over the “easy wrong”

The Middle School Honor Assembly opened with remarks by Whorley to provide an overview of the Honor Code and its role in the HRA community. Drawing on her personal experience of making the hard choice to admit to an act of academic dishonesty and face the consequences during her own middle school years, the director stressed each student’s role in fostering and upholding “a culture of integrity, mutual respect, and personal responsibility.”

“Creating that culture,” Whorley said, “isn’t something that simply happens. Instead, it is a conscious, consistent decision to continually do the next best thing over and over again. It’s the decision to see our mistakes as opportunities to show up differently, to make a different choice, and to truly grow.”

Next to take the podium was Clover, who introduced himself to the Middle Schoolers in his role overseeing the Honor Council before inviting student co-chairs Solomon and Loos to address the students. Taking turns, the two seniors discussed how their younger peers can embody HRA’s core values of honesty, respect, and responsibility every day.

“As Middle School students, you are given more privileges than Lower School students,” Solomon said. “But a privilege is something you earn” by embracing “a responsibility to act with maturity and integrity.” She urged the Middle Schoolers to show respect for every person and and every opportunity they encounter on campus, as by using their school-provided iPads only for approved purposes and maintaining open communication with their teachers, who “spend hours creating a curriculum that best prepares you for your future.”

Senior Aniyah Solomon ’27 addresses the student body, joined by fellow Honor Council co-chairs Ellie Richardson ’27 (left) and Adair Loos ’27 (right)

As an HRA Anchor, Solomon explained that she could feel the difference that a culture of honor made from the moment she became a Navigator at age four. She encouraged her audience to continue this tradition through the choices they make. When challenges arise, as they inevitably will, she explained, students need not sacrifice their honor, but rather turn to the plethora of resources and support available to help every Navigator succeed.

Echoing her fellow Honor Council co-chair, Loos stressed the many ways in which the Honor Code creates a uniquely positive student experience at HRA. She emphasized the timeless relevance of the Honor Pledge that Navigators write and sign after each assessment, keeping students accountable for their learning even in the age of generative artificial intelligence. The senior also pointed to honesty and respect among the student body as they reason that HRA can maintain lockers without locks and allow students to leave personal belongings unattended without fear of theft.

As role models for younger Middle Schoolers, eighth graders are the first to sign the Honor Banner for their division

“Today, you’re going to make a promise to yourself and your teachers that you will follow the Honor Code,” Loos told the younger students. “The Honor Council and your teachers trust you, and we hope that you choose to make the right decisions this year.”

To close the assembly, the eighth graders made their dedication to honesty, respect, and responsibility official by signing the Honor Banner as leaders and role models for the rest of the Middle School student body. Fifth, sixth, and seventh graders affixed their signatures to the banner during their TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) advisory periods the following day, completing a lasting monument to honor that will hang outside the Middle School office for the rest of the year.

“Choosing the Hard Right over the Easy Wrong”

The Middle School Honor Assembly marked not a completed achievement, but rather the beginning of a yearslong process of growth for HRA’s students.

“In Middle School, honor doesn’t mean never making a mistake,” LiBrando said. “It means accepting accountability, leaning into the learning, and making adjustments to do better.”

This stage of the Navigator experience, according to Whorley, provides a safe environment in which students can “practice doing the right thing before the stakes are much higher.”

Developing confidence and agency: Whorley congratulates Middle Schoolers as they reaffirm their dedication to personal growth through adherence to the Honor System

“We want students to develop the confidence and agency to make good choices because they understand why those choices matter, rather than out of fear of a consequence,” the Middle School director said.

During HRA’s Year of Resilience, this process of productive struggle informed by HRA’s Honor Code takes on new significance.

“Sometimes resilience means choosing the hard right over the easy wrong, especially when telling the truth, admitting a mistake, or taking responsibility feels uncomfortable,” Whorley explained. “And when students do get it wrong, resilience is having the courage to own that choice, learn from it, repair what needs to be repaired, and move forward. We talk a lot in Middle School about failing fast and failing forward. A mistake doesn’t have to define a student, but what they do next matters.”

“That’s what we want our Middle Schoolers practicing now,” she added: “not perfection, but the courage and character to make good choices, take responsibility for themselves, and grow from the moments when they fall short. The Honor System gives them a framework for doing that with increasing independence as they move through HRA and beyond.”

To kick off the 2026-2027 school year, Middle School student support specialist and varsity football head coach Rodney Taylor (left) joins Director of the Student Support Center Lisa Thatcher (right) as the SSC expands its services beyond the Upper School

The beginning of the 2026-2027 school year marks a new chapter for Hampton Roads Academy’s Student Support Center (SSC), an invaluable campus resource that empowers student excellence.

Having helped more than 70 Upper Schoolers boost their academic performance and develop personalized strategies for success since it opened its doors last August, the SSC will now expand its services to the Middle School with a slate of executive functioning skills courses for students in Grades 6 through 8, among other resources tailored to the developmental needs of Navigators at this stage of their education.

To provide targeted instruction and mentorship for HRA’s Middle Schoolers, Director of the Student Support Center Lisa Thatcher and Upper School Spanish teacher Noelle Rennolds will be joined by a new member of the SSC faculty, Middle School student support specialist Rodney Taylor, who also serves as head coach of the Navigator varsity football team. Taylor’s arrival coincides with the start of Abigail Whorley’s tenure as Director of Middle School and history teacher Kerry LiBrando’s appointment as Middle School Dean of Students, filling out a leadership team that shares the SSC’s focus on providing students in this division with the skills and confidence they need to excel in Upper School, in college, and beyond.

As Upper Schoolers return to the SSC this fall and Middle Schoolers visit it for the first time, they will step into a space that not only offers a wider range of services, but has also been physically transformed.

A bright, modern space designed around student needs: Thatcher excitedly surveys the transformed SSC

Thanks to generous support from former trustee and past Navigator parent Trip Ferguson ’67 and partnerships with current parents Lee Lockwood (a flooring professional as well as a former trustee) and Ruth Deibler (an interior designer), new carpeting and LED lighting were installed throughout the SSC over the summer. In late August, HRA added tables with whiteboard surfaces, comfortable chairs, and a banquette bench spanning the full length of a wall in room 2113. In the coming years, Thatcher envisions further renovations to optimize the student experience in the facility, including individual study booths and acoustic panels for the walls of the SSC. The director explained that she plans for students’ preferences and needs to guide her innovation within the space.

“The reimagining and ongoing expansion of the Student Support Center reflects the HRA community’s shared commitment to ensuring that all students—at every level—receive the personalized resources they need to achieve their goals and take ownership of their college-preparatory experience,” said Head of School Jay Lasley. “During our Year of Resilience, the SSC will play a critical role in helping our students grow into confident scholars who embrace setbacks as opportunities for improvement.”

Successes in Year One

The SSC is entering its second year with significant momentum on which Thatcher and her team are eager to build.

Though the program was without precedent at HRA, Upper School students and families enthusiastically welcomed the launch of the SSC, with approximately 40% of the entire student body in Grades 9 through 12 using its services and achieving an average GPA increase of 13% in the first year alone.

Pivotal to these impressive outcomes was the staff of six specially trained peer tutors who earned community service credit as they assisted their fellow Upper Schoolers in sessions ranging from 15 minutes to an hour before and after school or during study hall and flex periods. Thatcher delighted in observing older students review an assignment they had completed in one of their classes the year before and “translate it to teen-speak,” meeting tutees where they were.

Two tutors also provided homework help for Lower Schoolers, creating what Thatcher hopes will prove to be the foundation for a more robust interdivisional peer tutoring program. The preexisting Homework Club offered through HRA’s Extended Care Enrichment, the director suggested, could provide a framework for such collaboration as the SSC continues to grow.

Learning strategies for managing work in school and beyond: students practice “juggling” responsibilities during an SSC orientation activity

During the spring 2026 semester, the SSC carried out a successful pilot program with the powerful, research-based educational platform MindPrint Learning. Beginning in January, students already utilizing the Center’s services completed the online MindPrint assessment, generating a personalized profile with insights into how each student learns best and resources to optimize academic performance based on one’s present strengths and areas for improvement.

Among the many promising results the SSC achieved, Thatcher pointed to “the atmosphere that the students have built in the guided study halls” as the most significant success story. Proctored by Thatcher and Rennolds, these study halls helped new Navigators and those attending for “grade recovery” develop valuable organizational skills as they prepared for upcoming assignments and exams. With guidance from educators who provide active mentorship, Thatcher observed, the students “are academically maturing, figuring out how they learn best, and really caring about their results.” Most importantly, they have capitalized on every resource available to them and dispelled any stigma around seeking support.

“That is, hands-down, the greatest thing that could’ve happened in this first year,” Thatcher said.

The SSC director is a firm believer in the motto “What is necessary for a few is good for all.” Other members of the HRA community heartily agree. Assistant Head of School and Director of Upper School Ben Rous has cited the SSC’s guided study halls as a potential model to emulate division-wide. Parents of students whose GPAs have risen above the threshold for “grade recovery” have expressed interest in having their children continue to utilize the SSC’s services, hoping to build on the exceptional benefits they have experienced in the past year. In addition to helping students improve their grades and study habits, the SSC has provided a roadmap for navigating collegiate-level student support resources once they advance to the next stage of their education.

Phase Two: Expanding to the Middle School

Incoming ninth graders complete the MindPrint assessment, generating personalized learner profiles to inform their Upper School studies

For the Upper School, the SSC’s second phase began during this August’s ninth-grade orientation. Launching what Thatcher described as “a much more intensive MindPrint experience,” each member of the incoming freshman class completed the platform’s online assessment and entered the Upper School with an individualized learner profile to inform their study habits for the next four years and beyond. These students will have the opportunity to reinforce crucial learning skills through MindPrint’s BOOST courses during Advisory periods throughout the year, and their teachers will be able to use their profiles to tailor their instruction to the various learning styles represented in the classroom. Within four years, every Upper Schooler will benefit from MindPrint’s unmatched insights and resources.

The greatest transformation for the SSC this year, however, will be its expansion into the Middle School. In response to overwhelmingly positive parent feedback on Middle School counselor Ashley Spruill’s fifth-grade course InFOCUS, helping new Middle Schoolers learn how to learn through an exploration of organization systems, conflict resolution, self-advocacy, and resilience, the SSC has introduced similar executive functioning skills classes for Grades 6 through 8.

This year’s offerings, taught by Coach Taylor, include the quarter-long courses School Skills for sixth graders and Level Up for seventh graders, along with the semester-long eighth-grade class My Notebook, pioneered by Thatcher during her time as the Middle School counselor (1996-2020). During his TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) periods, Taylor will also work in the SSC with students with learning accommodations.

Navigators meet with members of the team who will support them through their college-preparatory experience (standing, left to right): Director of College Counseling Elizabeth Cavallari, Upper School counselor Elizabeth Rous, SSC director Thatcher, and Coach Taylor

Taylor, an educator with extensive experience as a middle school teacher and counselor as well as a mentor to student-athletes, helped Thatcher design a curriculum rich in experiential learning, employing games to simulate challenging learning situations and spur reflection on setbacks students might face in their school work within a low-risk environment. Across its Middle School classes, the SSC will introduce students to the reading comprehension improvement application ReadTheory, teach note-taking techniques, and discuss how to keep lockers clean and binders organized.

“The Student Support Center should be a place where students can make mistakes, ask questions, try different strategies, and learn without feeling judged,” Taylor said. “I want students to develop the confidence to approach a challenging assignment, a busy week, or an unexpected problem with a plan rather than feeling overwhelmed. I want them to understand that executive-function skills are learnable skills, not qualities that you either have or don’t have.”

As Taylor joins her team, Thatcher is excited to see him work closely with the Middle School faculty to help students understand how they learn best. “Being able to do that when you’re 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 years old is such a gift,” she said. “And then they’ll build on that as they get into Upper School.”

The Path Ahead

While guided study halls, peer tutoring, and the rollout of MindPrint Learning in the Upper School laid the foundation for the SSC to expand to the Middle School, Thatcher now hopes executive functions courses for sixth through eighth graders will provide a model for similar offerings for older Navigators.

Organization, time management, and the ability to take ownership of one’s own learning are among the most sought-after skills for college and career success. As part of a cohesive college-preparatory experience that begins the moment a student joins the Academy, HRA aims to strengthen these abilities early and reinforce them as students approach graduation.

The SSC will continue to play an important role in this vision as it grows further in years to come. The Center’s team plans to launch their third phase as soon as the 2027-2028 school year, with the addition of a dedicated Lower School reading specialist who will extend the facility’s services to all three of HRA’s divisions.

With Thatcher at the helm, the Student Support Center is poised to become one of the most impactful facets of the Navigator experience. “Her work there is immeasurable,” Lasley said. “I’m so excited to think about the future of this program under her leadership, because we’re just getting started with it. As we remain focused on cutting-edge academic programming for all of our students, we will continue to cultivate opportunities for them to develop academic confidence and resilience.”

HRA Assistant Director of Athletics and award-winning soccer coach Chris Mills huddles up with the varsity boys team on game day

As Hampton Roads Academy’s varsity boys soccer team launches into the fall 2026 season, these talented players could not be in better hands.

During the past school year, soccer coach and Assistant Director of Athletics Chris Mills demonstrated the extraordinary impact that dedicated educators and coaches can have on student-athletes by earning TCIS Coach of the Year honors for both the varsity boys and varsity girls soccer teams. This remarkably rare distinction reflects not only competitive excellence, but also his commitment to developing confident, resilient, and principled young people.

Mills’ twin Coach of the Year awards, for which he was selected by the other coaches in the conference, are a testament to his leadership, integrity, and character across two outstanding seasons.

In fall 2025, he coached Navigator varsity boys soccer to a No. 5 state ranking in their division. Both senior Zachary Busch ’26 and sophomore Bryce Wedding ’28 were awarded All-Conference honors, with Busch going on to earn All-State recognition and commit to play soccer at Emory University’s Oxford College.

A leader and mentor in action: Coach Chris Mills on the pitch

Then, this past spring, varsity girls soccer posted an impressive 9-3-1 regular-season record, achieved a No. 4 state ranking, and advanced to the TCIS semifinals. Three players—sophomores Madison Davis ’28 and Cailynn Monnoyer ’28 and freshman Ainsley Lowe ’29—earned All-Conference honors. The team ultimately advanced as far as the VISAA state semifinals, with both Davis and Lowe achieving All-State recognitions.

According to Director of Athletics Laura Stoner, Mills is “a spectacular coach in every way, not only in his knowledge of the game and the way he prepares the athletes in terms of their skillset, but also how he prepares them strategically to put them in a position to win on game day.”

“The community of coaches he works with, both in the fall and in the spring, respect him for a lot of reasons,” she added—“not only his background and his success rate, but also the quality of character that comes with Chris Mills.”

A Remarkable Coaching Record

Prior to joining HRA, Mills coached at Virginia Wesleyan University for 16 years. His extensive background at the collegiate level made him an immediate asset to HRA when he came aboard as assistant athletic director and boys soccer coach in 2023. In his leadership role, he has proven himself to be an invaluable partner for Stoner, who described him as someone she can trust to deliver consistently exemplary work on behalf of Navigator Athletics. “He is a team player who is ready to jump in and help out with whatever needs to be done at any point in time,” she said.

Indeed, during his time at the Academy, Mills has not shied away from taking on greater responsibility. In spring 2026, after three seasons as head coach of varsity boys soccer, he gladly took the reins of the varsity girls team as well.

Girls varsity star Madison Davis ’28 takes a corner kick

In addition to his duties at HRA, Mills has served as head coach of the semi-professional Virginia Beach United soccer club for the past three years. He has had a transformational impact on the program, recruiting talented players, helping attract the third-largest crowd in league history, and leading his team to its first-ever playoff appearance. “The opportunity to coach at all different levels and different age groups is fun and enjoyable,” Mills said, and he has drawn on lessons from both his collegiate and his USL League Two coaching to cultivate winning varsity teams.

HRA student-athletes have attributed his success as a coach to his strategic flexibility and his talent for motivating players. “His greatest strengths are his ability to stay calm in the moment and uplift the team,” said girls soccer standout Davis, who credits Mills with helping her secure a commitment to play for the University of Alabama as a rising junior this past summer.

“One thing about Coach Mills that really resonates with you when you play under his leadership,” said Busch, a boys soccer team captain in his senior year, “is the immense belief he has in both the team and each individual player.” This faith, the recent graduate said, inspired his team to give their all in their first game of the fall 2025 season against the formidable First Flight High School and fight “tooth and nail” to a 2-1 victory, followed by a series of wins that carried them to the state quarterfinals.

Shaping Better Players and Better Leaders

For his own part, Mills hastened to give credit to his “high-level players,” like Busch and Davis, who stepped up as leaders on their respective teams.

The prospect of receiving two Coach of the Year awards in one school year was never on Mills’ radar. Ever humble despite his accomplishments, he remarked, “I just want to make sure I put the players in a good position to be successful and also have a positive experience.”

This reaction came as no surprise to Stoner. “As competitive as he is, he always makes sure to maintain a ‘better athlete, better person’ approach to what he does,” the athletic director said. “He creates a positive team culture wherever he goes.”

A proud Coach Mills celebrates with senior Zachary Busch ’26 at his May 2026 collegiate soccer commitment ceremony

As Mills explained, this culture begins with meaningful connections between players and their coach. “I think one of the biggest things is the relationships that you build with your athletes,” he said. “If they know that you as a coach care about them as more than just an athlete, then they’re willing to work harder for you to be successful.”

Close connections with students, moreover, provide a model for how players ought to comport themselves and relate to their teammates.

Coach Mills “helped shape me into a leader,” Busch said. “He emphasized the importance of rallying the team and setting the standard, especially on a team with many underclassmen looking to seniors for guidance.”

Through meaningful relationships, high expectations, and unwavering encouragement, Coach Mills continues to help students discover confidence, resilience, and leadership that extend well beyond the pitch. As he begins a new season of varsity soccer coaching, his investment in young people reflects the very best of an HRA education, an experience made possible by a community that believes in providing exceptional opportunities for every Navigator.

This story originally appeared in the summer 2026 edition of the Navigator Impact Magazine. To stay up to date on the game schedule for varsity soccer and other sports, check the Navigator Athletics calendar.

Head of School Jay Lasley formally opens the Year of Resilience at Convocation

Though the end of summer is always bittersweet for students and their families as they return to school, Hampton Roads Academy is thrilled to launch a new year for a one-of-a-kind learning community.

On Wednesday, August 26, HRA welcomed students in all three divisions back to campus to kick off the 2026-2027 academic year. To start the morning, the full Middle and Upper School student body gathered in the Svein J. Lassen Auditorium for the tradition of Convocation. Initiated 15 years ago by former Head of School Peter Mertz, the annual assembly is an occasion for Navigators to embark on the next chapter of their educational journey with a sense of shared purpose and rededicate themselves to the pursuit of excellence, not only in academics, but also in athletics, the arts, and character.

This year’s Convocation, featuring a special performance of the Alma Mater by the eighth- through twelfth-grade a cappella group Nowhere to Hide, marked the official beginning of HRA’s Year of Resilience. As Head of School Jay Lasley explained in his remarks to the students, resilience—the ability to overcome adversity, confront challenges head-on, and adapt in the face of obstacles—is an essential character trait with a direct line to fulfillment and success, not only during one’s time in school, but throughout one’s life.

“Any time there is change, any time there is growth or improvement or learning,” Lasley told the students, “resilience is a part of that experience. Resilience is a part of leadership.”

Navigating Challenges

All smiles as Lower Schoolers arrive for the first day of the 2026-2027 school year

College professors, employers, and other members of the wider community frequently report that they can immediately recognize a Navigator. HRA’s students are confident, capable leaders and problem solvers who embrace difficult situations as opportunities for growth.

This defining quality is no coincidence. “We expect a lot out of our students,” Lasley explained. “HRA is an academically demanding place, and we don’t apologize for that. It builds resilience.”

In the past several years, repeated disruptions have tested the resilience of students, families, teachers, and society as a whole. From a global pandemic in 2020 to the emergence and rapid evolution of generative artificial intelligence since late 2022, a series of monumental challenges has upended old assumptions about education and work and introduced profound uncertainty. For the foreseeable future, young people’s prospects of personal and professional success will hinge on their ability to remain resilient and undeterred as they navigate a constantly changing world.

Empowering Excellence

Student Council Association President Luke Sablan ’27 encourages his peers to venture outside their comfort zone and seize opportunities to grow more resilient

HRA is uniquely positioned to foster this crucial character skill because of the wealth of opportunities it unlocks for every student.

Every day in the classroom, HRA’s rigorous curriculum pushes students to practice resilience as they critically think through difficult material and discover unexpected passions. In the Lower School, the youngest Navigators learn to work through frustration and avoid becoming discouraged as they develop their reading abilities, study tough new words before a spelling test, and navigate the transition from one grade to the next, especially the progression to Middle School. Starting in fifth grade, students grow through the triumphs as well as the missteps that inevitably accompany the gradual process of becoming more independent, meeting heightened academic standards, and taking greater ownership of one’s education.

In the arts, the daunting task of exhibiting one’s work for the community or preparing to face the eyes of an audience on stage teaches students to overcome their fears and find confidence within themselves. Similarly, as they take on active roles on sports teams across three athletic seasons, HRA students learn not to let one disappointing play distract them from the next or one loss break their focus on improving for games to come. Many Navigators benefit from all these opportunities to cultivate resilience because they are talented musicians, actors, and athletes as well as scholars.

Finally, as students prepare for the ups and downs of the college search during their Upper School years, opportunities for independent research and real-world internships and professional shadowing through the REACH Initiative challenge each Navigator to explore unfamiliar avenues and begin the hard work of charting a fulfilling future. This process demands resilience, and every HRA graduate launches their next adventure fully equipped not simply to endure, but also to thrive, amidst the discomfort of charting their path.

In a concise and inspiring speech to his peers at Convocation, Student Council Association President Luke Sablan ’27 encouraged his peers to develop resilience by embracing all the opportunities—and all the challenges—HRA has to offer.

“There will be difficult classes, tough games, stressful days, and moments when we make mistakes,” he explained to his peers. “But one bad grade doesn’t define your year, one loss doesn’t define your season, and one bad day doesn’t define you. What matters is how you respond.”

Sablan concluded his remarks by exhorting his fellow Navigators to take chances in the year ahead. “Join a club, go to a game, meet someone new, or step outside of your comfort zone,” he said. “And when something doesn’t go as planned, don’t be afraid to get back up and try again.”

Cultivating Resilience as a Community

Nowhere to Hide performs an a cappella rendition of the Alma Mater to close the Convocation exercises

If HRA opens doors for students, they do not walk through them alone. Navigators emerge from diverse challenges more confident and resilient because they are supported by a community that is invested in their success.

This community includes exceptional teachers, many of whom also serve as coaches, who provide individualized attention and mentorship to each student in their small classes. It includes devoted families, who partner with faculty members from their first Back-to-School Night through Commencement to ensure that every Navigator feels not only challenged, but also known, throughout their time at HRA. And it includes the many friends of the Academy who generously donate and volunteer to provide resources and experiences that empower excellence for all.

In the coming year, thanks to donor contributions and in response to parent demand, HRA’s Student Support Center will expand its services to the Middle School, offering personalized academic assistance and strategies to help every student learn how they learn best and optimize their performance—at HRA, in college, and beyond. This invaluable resource, which opened its doors just one year ago, has already played a major role in promoting a culture of resilience in the Upper School and will now lay a foundation for even more Navigators to turn setbacks into opportunities for improvement.

“Purposefully connected”: seniors extend a warm welcome to HRA’s newest Middle Schoolers, the fifth-grade class

At the close of the Convocation exercises, Lasley called on the seniors of the Class of 2027 to set the pace for their peers.

“Be our leaders every day,” the Head of School said. “Be purposefully connected every day, because your schoolmates will be watching. They need you to be beacons of kindness. They need you to be role models of how to be joyful and connected contributors in this school community. They need you to show them how to be resilient when times are challenging—when growth is occurring.”

Lining the administration hallway after the assembly, the seniors symbolically stepped into their role as examples to their fellow Navigators by greeting their younger peers with cheers, applause, and high fives, starting with the fifth graders, just beginning their Middle School journey.

HRA invites every member of the Navigator community to join us this year in celebrating resilience, leaning into challenges, and supporting our students as they grow into better learners, leaders, and people every day.

Director of Lower School Susanne Swain ’78 welcomes class flag bearers to the stage at the first Lower School Leadership Assembly of the 2025-2026 school year

On the afternoon of Friday, September 26, Hampton Roads Academy’s Lower School proudly continued a ten-year-old tradition with the first Leadership Assembly of the 2025-2026 academic year.

Led each month by members of the Lower School Student Council Association (SCA) and including many Navigator families as well as the student body and faculty, the assembly “pulls us together as a community,” according to Director of Lower School Susanne Swain ’78. “It gives the visitors—the parents and grandparents—a peek into our school’s values and how we reinforce those values as we go through the year.”

This month’s Lower School Leadership Assembly, entitled “Stitched Together: The Year of Connections,” provided an opportunity for HRA administrators and SCA officers to share their perspectives on the theme that will inform the life of the entire school throughout the year. The program reinforced for our youngest learners the role they have to play as leaders of a community whose strength lies in our connections to one another.

“Friendships, Kind Hearts, and a Caring Community”

Students in Lindsay Morena’s Pre-Kindergarten class follow their flag bearer into the auditorium

The day of the assembly, this crucial lesson was front-and-center from the very start. Students arrived in the Lower School Commons in the morning to see their class quilts, featuring squares to which they had all signed their names, prominently presented and tied together, thanks to the efforts of Lower School substitute teacher Lisa Hartman, Peninsula Piecemakers, and Colonial Piecemakers. This display, Swain explained, demonstrated to students that “as a community, we are linked together.”

Students also received custom-made Year of Connections pins to display on their backpacks as a visual reminder of the meaning of the yearlong theme.

The assembly itself began that afternoon in the Svein J. Lassen Auditorium with the presentation of the colors, after which second grader and Lower School SCA Secretary/Treasurer Lydia McCallie ’36 led the Pledge of Allegiance. Following Swain’s welcome remarks, students who had been granted the honor of serving as class flag bearers and leading their classmates into the auditorium brought their class flags onto the stage as Head of School Jay Lasley called roll.

Lower School SCA President Sophia Barbosa ’34 addresses her peers

Next to take the dais was Lower School SCA President Sophia Barbosa ’34, who delivered a thoughtful speech on the theme of connections.

“When we connect, we build friendships, kind hearts, and a caring community,” Barbosa told her peers, stressing the importance of “small daily gestures, such as smiling at someone, eye contact, and showing interest in getting to know another student.”

“These daily connections with students, teachers, and everyone we come into contact with are the fabric that makes HRA a special place,” she said.

After Barbosa completed her remarks, Lower School SCA Vice President Shreyan Paul ’35 spoke on the importance of HRA’s core values—honesty, respect, and responsibility.

“These core values aren’t only to be used at school, but also can be used anywhere,” the third grader said. With this trio of principles as a lodestar, he explained to his fellow Lower Schoolers, “[we can] improve ourselves and make a better world around us.”

Like the Honor Council Assemblies for our Middle and Upper School, this presentation served to help Lower School students understand what our community stands for and how they can be ethical and responsible learners at HRA.

Celebrating Each Member of the Navigator Community

As a demonstration of our students’ and parents’ investment in the HRA community and commitment to outstanding character, the program included a gracious acknowledgment of families who had lent a helping hand in tending the Lower School Garden over the summer. These generous volunteers included the Pruitt family, the Prohaska-Moon family, the White family, the LiBrando family, the Dunn/Lomonaco family, and Lower School grandparent Dabney Morgan. HRA is deeply appreciative of all their contributions. 

The Lower School community also proudly welcomed its newly elected second-, third-, and fourth-grade SCA representatives:

Toward the end of the assembly, the Lower School chorus, led by music teacher Erika Caulford and accompanied on piano by HRA senior and former Lower Schooler Zack Patten ’26, came to the front of the room to sing the Academy’s Alma Mater. The program then concluded with the monthly recognition of student birthdays. This “little one-on-one touch,” Swain said, “lets each child know we remember their special day.”

Critical Leadership Skills: Learning by Doing

The Lower School chorus performs the Hampton Roads Academy Alma Mater

The monthly Lower School Leadership Assemblies are not simply community events. They also provide young students with an invaluable introduction to such important skills as speechwriting, speaking or performing in front of an audience, and assuming a position of responsibility within a community. Believing that students acquire these learned skills through practice, the Lower School faculty make an effort to extend every student an opportunity to appear on stage in one capacity or another over the course of the year, whether as a flag bearer, a speaker, a choir singer, or a participant in a group performance.

As Junior Kindergarten teacher and Lower School SCA faculty advisor Jordan Gray explained, “It is important for even the youngest students to take on leadership roles because it allows them an opportunity to develop pride and confidence within themselves. Students at every grade level look forward to getting the chance to be a flag bearer and represent their class in front of the whole Lower School community.”

Fourth-grade teacher Savannah Whitten, who shares advising duties with Gray, underscored the vital role that Lower School Leadership Assemblies play in our students’ education.

“I believe these early leadership experiences help students understand the value of teamwork, initiative, and accountability, skills that are essential for success in Middle School and beyond,” she said. “They also empower students to see themselves as capable leaders, laying a strong foundation for future growth.”

By signing the Honor Banner, students demonstrate their dedication to the core values of Hampton Roads Academy and pledge to conduct themselves with honesty, respect, and responsibility in all pursuits

On the morning of Thursday, September 11, our Navigators rededicated themselves to the proposition that Hampton Roads Academy is more than simply a school. It is a community whose members share a commitment to moral as well as academic excellence.

The annual Honor Council Assembly, held in the Svein J. Lassen Auditorium, provided an occasion for all Upper School students to join together with faculty members and pledge adherence to the HRA Honor System, a framework of integrity and ethical conduct for the entire school. Directed by the student and faculty leadership of the Honor Council, which plays an indispensable role in administering and enforcing the school’s Honor Code, the assembly took on new meaning in the context of the 2025-2026 Year of Connections. As active participants in a learning community, HRA students achieve growth in character as well as scholarship through collaboration with, and accountability to, one another.

“I love this assembly,” said Upper School English teacher and Honor Council faculty advisor Jeremy Clover. “Each year, when we gather to reaffirm the Honor Code, I see our students not only pledging their commitment to honesty and respect, but also embracing the responsibility of being part of something larger than themselves.”

Head of School Jay Lasley amplified this message in addressing the students, highlighting the Honor System’s role in a holistic education that nurtures principled young adults.

“We indeed are fortunate to be in a school community that values the responsibility of honor, this cornerstone that shapes and molds us for the rest of our lives,” he said. “It takes courage. It gives us purpose. It defines who we are.”

More than a Code of Conduct

Honor Council Chair Lexi Trudeau ’26 addresses her peers

Applying to every member of the HRA community, from the youngest students in our Lower School to the Head of School himself, the Honor System rests on four pillars: personal accountability, intellectual maturity, creative thinking, and respect for honesty, integrity, and truth.

These values inform every facet of the life of the school. To underscore the importance of honesty and individual effort in all academic pursuits, students are required to sign an Honor Pledge for every assignment, which reads, “I pledge, on my honor, that I have neither given nor received unauthorized help on this work.” The Honor Council upholds this promise by guarding against and adjudicating possible violations of the Honor Code.

Beyond the classroom, the influence of the Honor System is no less palpable. “There isn’t a single lock on our lockers,” Honor Council Chair Lexi Trudeau ’26 reminded her peers during her remarks at the assembly. “Backpacks are scattered throughout the campus, unattended and unharmed. Phones and iPads are left to charge for hours without someone stealing them. The Honor Code pledges its students to ensure a safe environment here on campus.”

A Unifying Commitment

As Trudeau observed in her speech, each member of the school community is committed not only to embracing the Honor Code in their individual conduct, but also to supporting every Navigator’s efforts to do the same. She assured the freshmen in particular, “If ever in doubt, ask questions and seek help. The upperclassmen and your teachers are here to guide you.”

In the spirit of this community project to maintain the Honor System, the Honor Council chair followed her remarks by leading the faculty in promising “to uphold the principles of the Honor Code, the Honor Pledge, and the integrity of our school.” The presidents of the senior, junior, and sophomore classes—Cam Hall ’26, Luke Sablan ’27, and Madison Davis ’28—then led their classmates in affirming the same. Trudeau administered the oath to the Class of 2029.

Honor Council faculty advisor Jeremy Clover, joined by Lexi Trudeau, shakes ninth graders’ hands after they sign the Honor Banner

Starting with the ninth graders, all Upper School students made their commitment official by signing their names to the Honor Banner. Middle School students will follow suit at an assembly on Monday, September 15, during their TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) advisory periods. This schoolwide tradition signals that the Navigator family is united by its dedication to the philosophy of the Honor System—within the walls of the Academy and beyond.

For Trudeau, the Honor System represents the crux of what HRA stands for. “A Navigator is someone who is honest and truthful in both their words and actions, someone who listens to their classmates and teachers and treats them with respect, and someone who takes responsibility for their decisions,” she said. “In summary, a Navigator is someone who upholds our sacred Honor Code and demonstrates the core values of Hampton Roads Academy: honesty, respect, and responsibility.”

“It builds the foundation and connection for a strong home-school partnership,” she said, “and shows that student success is a team effort.”

Next week, Hampton Roads Academy will set this team effort in motion by welcoming its students’ families to campus for Back-to-School Night. The event, held at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, September 3, for the Lower School and the same time the following evening for the Middle and Upper Schools, reflects the central role that the faculty-family relationship plays in the learning experience at HRA.

Just as our small class sizes allow our teachers to forge robust bonds with their students, our tight-knit school community invites parents and other family members to take an active part in each Navigator’s education. During the Year of Connections, we will celebrate the relationship between families and faculty members that helps to extend our students’ growth, both as learners and as individuals, beyond the walls of our classrooms.

Building Bonds

Upper School science teacher Lauren Oaks welcomes families to her classroom with a chemistry demonstration on Back-to-School Night

Back-to-School Night inaugurates this crucial relationship for the year ahead. As HRA Kindergarten teacher Josephine Kovalcik explained, “This event is an initial gathering of families that will launch each classroom community as a collaborative, informed, and supportive unit.”

After welcoming families into their classrooms, our teachers lay the groundwork for this collaboration in several ways. On the most basic level, they introduce families to their goals and expectations, the material and skills students will master over the course of the year, and key dates to remember. Some teachers also provide tutorials in navigating OnCampus, HRA’s online learning management system, to equip parents and guardians to support their children’s studies at home.

Many instructors view Back-to-School Night as an opportunity to model the life of their classrooms by displaying samples of student work and recreating class activities.

AP Literature teacher and Dean of Student Life Laurie Hager, for example, likes to pose the same question to families that she asks her twelfth-grade students on the first day of school: Why does the study of literature matter? “My hope is that this practice models my values as an educator,” Hager said. “I am curious to know what my students (and their parents/guardians) think, I value their insights, and I actively work to create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome and ‘heard.’”

Ninth-grade biology teacher Katie Schwizer, likewise, often includes a science demonstration that her students experienced earlier in the week. More importantly, she uses the evening session with families to highlight areas where students have struggled in the past and “clue parents in on what they can do at home to help their child start the year off on the right foot, and perhaps with a little extra confidence.”

Most crucially of all, Back-to-School Night allows our faculty members to connect with families at a personal level.

“Back-to-School Night offers teachers and parents the opportunity to connect face-to-face, fostering trust and open communication,” said Middle School history and Latin teacher Christine Joyce. “This allows for a partnership that supports student success throughout the school year.”

Achieving Excellence through Community

A hallmark of Hampton Roads Academy is the sense of community that pervades every aspect of the educational experience. The relationships that begin at Back-to-School Night communicate to our families that they and their children will be embraced by this community—now and always. And with their teachers and families aligned behind them, our students know that they do not walk their academic paths alone.

A sense of belonging within a community that encompasses school and home is vital at all grade levels. For Lower School students, a strong teacher-family partnership signals that their education is part of a long-term journey, in which they will be supported every step of the way, through Middle School and beyond.

For those in Grades 5 through 8, this partnership provides an invaluable structure in a period of increased curricular rigor and significant social and developmental changes. According to Middle School English and reading teacher Karen Massengill, “maintaining an open line of communication between parent and teacher is important in ensuring consistency and success in creating independent learners, thinkers, and young adults.”

Once students encounter greater academic challenges in our Upper School, coordination between home and the classroom is perhaps more vital than ever.

“It’s important to stay in touch with parents, so that together, we can encourage the students to build skills that foster independence while providing a warm safety-net in which to catch them, should they slip along the way,” Katie Schwizer said. “My hope is that this partnership invites and encourages parents to stay a part of their students’ life at school well beyond ninth grade. I want students to get the sense that the adults in their lives, both at home and at school, are working together for their benefit.”

As a twelfth-grade instructor who works closely with HRA’s college counseling team, Laurie Hager has the privilege of observing firsthand the growth that this collaboration promotes, as students approach graduation and become ever more responsible and self-reliant. She views senior parents’ bittersweet final Back-to-School Night as an occasion to encourage “proactive student-to-teacher communication, which anticipates professional interactions with their future university professors.”

From our Navigators’ earliest classroom experiences to their first steps into a larger world beyond HRA, families are indispensable partners in helping students feel safe taking risks, holding themselves to a high standard, and striving for excellence in all their pursuits. The faculty of Hampton Roads Academy could not be more thrilled to embark on this journey with families at this year’s Back-to-School Night.

Summer may be coming to an end, but Hampton Roads Academy is excited for a new beginning as we welcome back our students and families for the 2025-2026 school year.

In the coming year, the Year of Connections, we will celebrate the relationships that bind us together and connect the work our students do in the classroom to the lives they will build as citizens of a wider world. Connection is what makes it possible for HRA to fulfill the mission that has guided us since we opened our doors nearly 70 years ago: providing a holistic education that prepares students to embrace their curiosity, explore their creativity, and excel intellectually, artistically, physically, and morally.

“In the face of ever-evolving technology, it’s the human connection that remains the nucleus and heartbeat of our school community,” said Head of School Jay Lasley in his remarks at this year’s Convocation on August 27. “‘Community’ is an intentional word in our mission statement. It connotates connection—between teachers and students, between teachers and parents, among the faculty, and certainly among you all, the student body.”

Achieving Excellence through Connections

HRA students forge their paths with the support of a vibrant, diverse, and intergenerational Navigator family. Our parents and alumni are committed to the success of our students, enthusiastically contributing their time, energy, and generous gifts to help provide cutting-edge resources and unparalleled experiences on campus and beyond.

Our small class sizes allow students to form meaningful relationships with our experienced teachers. Receiving personalized attention at every stage of their academic careers, from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, HRA students develop the skills to tackle challenging courses and succeed after graduation. Moreover, because our faculty members form connections with students as coaches on the athletic field as well as instructors in the classroom, they come to know multiple sides of each Navigator and are deeply invested in helping them thrive in all their pursuits.

“Some of the best connections I have here are with teachers, faculty, and coaches,” Student Council Association President Colten Fulcher ’26 told his peers at Convocation. “Advocate for yourself, make connections with the people around you, and remember the support systems that surround you here at HRA. … They all want you to succeed.”

One of the secrets to our success in preparing students for higher education and adult life is the way in which our school community embraces and weaves together the experiences of our three divisions. Our Lower School lays an academic and social foundation for greater challenges and opportunities in Middle School, which in turn builds students’ independence and skills in preparation for a demanding Upper School curriculum.

Time-honored traditions such as the Gateway Program at the end of Grade 4 and the Crossing Ceremony at the end of Grade 8 affirm that, as students advance from one division to the next, they remain part of the same Navigator family. This year, we are delighted to continue a new tradition initiated by the Class of 2025, the First Grade-Senior Buddies program, which forges close connections between our oldest students and some of our youngest through a shared love of reading.

With strong relationships as a foundation, the classroom experience at HRA works in tandem with a wealth of co-curricular opportunities to nurture the whole student. Our students distinguish themselves not only as scholars, writers, and critical thinkers, but also as artists, performers, musicians, players on 33 award-winning athletic teams, and members, creators, and leaders of over 50 clubs and extracurricular organizations. Cumulatively, Navigators complete 4,000 hours of community service every year. In the Upper School, students can enrich their education through summer travel, college-level research projects tailored to their interests, and an array of internships and mentorships coordinated by our REACH Initiative. This diverse assortment of opportunities allows HRA students to take ownership of their learning, explore new avenues, and connect their studies to fulfilling endeavors beyond the halls of their school.

Looking Forward

In the year ahead, Navigators at all grade levels will be challenged academically, trusted to hold themselves to the highest standard of character under the HRA Honor System, and encouraged to seize opportunities for learning and growth on campus and in their communities.

We invite both new and returning students and families to lean into this rigorous and rewarding experience. And to our alumni, we say, once a Navigator, always a Navigator. Join us for Homecoming and Noodle Night, turn out for class reunions, and pay forward everything you gained at HRA to the current generation of students and many generations to come.

Through connections, Navigators build the skills and the confidence to chart new waters and travel farther than they ever thought possible. HRA is a community like no other, shaping the leaders and trailblazers of tomorrow.

Mr. Lasley left the very next cohort of leaders, the Class of 2026 with a call to action: “I am counting on you. The student body is counting on you. This school community is counting on you. The future of society is counting on you.”

As summer draws to a close and the excitement of a new academic year begins, Hampton Roads Academy (HRA) is thrilled to welcome back its students and their families for the 2024-2025 school year. Nestled in Newport News, Virginia, HRA is more than just a school—it’s a vibrant community dedicated to developing exceptional character, fostering creativity and nurturing curiosity. This year is particularly special as it marks our “Year of Kindness,” a school-wide theme that embodies HRA’s core values. Kindness will serve as our guiding north star, reminding us daily how we interact as a healthy, vibrant and supportive community.

A Commitment to Excellence

At Hampton Roads Academy, the philosophy is rooted in the belief that education extends beyond the classroom. The school is committed to nurturing the whole student through a rigorous and comprehensive academic program. This year, the “Year of Kindness” theme will permeate every aspect of the school, emphasizing the importance of kindness in all interactions. The curriculum continues to emphasize honor, integrity and personal growth, ensuring that each student is valued for their unique strengths while being part of a supportive and thriving community.

With small class sizes and a focus on personalized attention, the dedicated faculty members are able to provide each student with the support they need to succeed. HRA prioritizes creating a healthy, supportive environment where students can flourish physically, emotionally and academically. This approach allows the school to cater to the individual needs of each student, encouraging them to explore a variety of academic and extracurricular experiences—from the playing fields to the stage, all while practicing kindness as a fundamental value.

Why Choose Hampton Roads Academy?

As the Peninsula’s only independent school for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, Hampton Roads Academy offers a unique educational experience that sets it apart. The school is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and holds membership with the National Association of Independent Schools. This recognition ensures that HRA adheres to the highest standards of educational excellence.

Students benefit from a broad range of opportunities that go beyond traditional academics. Athletic programs allow students to engage in competitive sports, fostering teamwork, physical fitness and the spirit of kindness in competition. The comprehensive Arts program provides avenues for students to explore and showcase their visual and performing arts talents. Furthermore, the REACH (Real-world Experience and Academic Choices) Initiative encourages students to apply their learning in real-world contexts, demonstrating their commitment to community service, personal development and the kindness that transcends all backgrounds.

Supporting Every Student

At Hampton Roads Academy in Newport News, VA, each student is unique, and the school strives to provide a supportive environment that caters to individual needs. The commitment to personalized attention ensures that every student receives the guidance and support necessary to excel. Whether it’s through tailored academic assistance, emotional support, or extracurricular involvement, HRA is dedicated to helping each student reach their full potential, with kindness as a common denominator.

HRA also believes in making its exceptional education accessible to all families. Through tailored tuition assistance, the school strives to ensure that financial considerations do not stand in the way of a quality education. HRA is proud to offer a range of resources and support to meet the diverse needs of its community, always guided by the spirit of kindness.

Embracing the HRA Community

As students are welcomed back for the new school year, HRA is excited to see the familiar faces of returning students and to introduce new families to the HRA community. The school is more than just a place of learning—it’s a family where students, parents and faculty come together to support, inspire and practice kindness towards one another.

HRA invites you to explore how its vibrant community in Newport News, VA, can support your child’s growth and development. Discover the admissions information and take the first step toward becoming part of this supportive and kind community. Experience firsthand how HRA’s commitment to academic excellence, character development and community engagement makes it a special place for learning and personal growth.

Looking Forward

As HRA kicks off the 2024-2025 school year, there is anticipation and excitement for the opportunities and experiences that lie ahead. The school looks forward to a year filled with academic achievements, personal growth and memorable moments for every student at Hampton Roads Academy in Newport News, VA, all under the guiding theme of kindness.

To all returning families, welcome back! And to new families, HRA extends a warm welcome to the community. Together, let’s make this school year one of the best yet, filled with success, growth and a shared commitment to excellence and kindness.

Schedule Your Tour in Newport News, VA Today!

At Hampton Roads Academy, top-tier academics are combined with character development to equip students for a successful future. The school fosters critical thinking, effective communication, collaboration and exploration of new opportunities. The goal is to nurture innovative and compassionate leaders ready for an ever-changing world. Serving students from Newport News, Poquoson, Hampton and Williamsburg, VA, HRA invites you to schedule a campus tour to discover how its unique environment can support your child’s growth and inspire them to reach their full potential.

Here’s to a fantastic year ahead at Hampton Roads Academy—where every student is encouraged to explore, achieve, thrive and practice kindness!

Welcome to Hampton Roads Academy

Hampton Roads Academy in Newport News, VA is more than just an educational institution; it’s a place where character, creativity and curiosity are nurtured every day. Our updated website provides an in-depth look at our school’s philosophy, history and mission. It’s designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of how we foster well-rounded students who are prepared to excel both in and out of the classroom. We hope you will discover how our unique approach to education helps students grow into innovative and compassionate leaders.

Admissions: A Personalized Approach to Education

Our admissions section has been revamped to better highlight how we support and develop each student. Hampton Roads Academy emphasizes honor, integrity and personal growth through a rigorous academic program. With small class sizes and a supportive environment, we ensure that every student receives personalized attention. Our approach allows students to explore a wide range of academic and extracurricular experiences, from sports and arts to leadership opportunities. Explore our admissions page to see how HRA can be the ideal environment for your child’s development, learn about the application process, upcoming admissions events and how to apply!

Academics: Excellence and Innovation in Education

Hampton Roads Academy is dedicated to providing an exceptional academic experience that prepares students for the future. Our new Academics section details how our comprehensive curriculum fosters creativity, critical thinking and lifelong learning. From our Lower School to our Upper School, we offer a curriculum designed to challenge and inspire students, equipping them with the skills needed for success in college and beyond. Learn more about our academic offerings and discover how we support each student’s unique journey.

Athletics: Building Character and Teamwork

Athletics play a vital role in our school community, and our website now highlights the breadth and depth of our sports programs. At Hampton Roads Academy in Newport News, VA, sportsmanship, teamwork and dedication are at the heart of our athletics program. With opportunities from Middle School through Varsity levels, we cater to every athlete’s passion and skill level. Our athletes have achieved recognition at various levels, and many continue their careers at prestigious institutions. Discover how our athletics program helps students build resilience, leadership skills and a lifelong love for sports.

Student Life: Enriching Experiences Beyond the Classroom

Student life at Hampton Roads Academy is vibrant and engaging, and our new website showcases the wide range of activities and programs available. From fine arts to after-school programs and summer camps, there are countless opportunities for students to explore their interests and develop new skills. Our dining services also play a crucial role in promoting student well-being with nutritious and delicious meals. Learn more about how HRA’s student life programs contribute to a well-rounded and fulfilling school experience.

Stay Informed: The Latest News and Achievements

Our “In the News” section keeps you connected with the latest updates and achievements from the HRA community. Whether it’s celebrating academic successes, athletic victories, or other significant milestones, this section is your go-to source for staying informed about the exciting happenings at our school. Come and be a part of the celebration as we honor the remarkable achievements of our students, faculty and alumni.

New Website: Apply and Schedule a Tour in Newport News, VA Today!

Interested in becoming part of the HRA family? Our new website makes it easy to apply and schedule a campus tour. Hampton Roads Academy serves students in Newport News, Poquoson, Hampton and Williamsburg, VA. We encourage prospective families to visit and experience firsthand the dynamic and supportive environment that makes HRA unique. Taking a tour is the perfect way to see how our school can support your child’s growth and help them reach their full potential.

We are thrilled to share our new website with you and hope it enhances your experience with Hampton Roads Academy. Whether you are exploring our school for the first time or are a valued member of our community, we invite you to explore the many features of our updated online presence. Here’s to a new school year filled with opportunities, growth and success!

Visit Hampton Roads Academy today to learn more and see how our new website reflects the excellence and spirit of our school.