Education is the foundation character building that helps to develop individual perspectives, opinions, and aspirations. A school is the sacred ground where a child takes its inaugural stride towards a world of enlightenment, puts its first step towards the world, and competes in the inaugural race of life. School days are also the most crucial stage of an individual’s life. Being the second home, it imparts knowledge, nurtures habits and creates impactful visions for a child.
New Hope Academy (NHA), in its commitment to both academic excellence and character development, serves as a pillar of support for parents in their quest to nurture morally grounded children. Simultaneously, it passionately fosters an atmosphere of intercultural harmony. Established upon principles that resonate universally across various faiths, New Hope Academy acknowledges that the shared belief in the divine parenthood transcends boundaries, paving the way for the unity and interconnectedness of humanity.
Joy Morrow, Founding Principal of the Academy makes sure to maintain the quality of education as well as the ethics imparted. Within the halls of New Hope Academy, the institution is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of educational achievement, ensuring that students are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful future. However, it extends beyond the realm of academics. New Hope Academy recognizes that character education plays a fundamental role in shaping the values and ethics of its students, thereby empowering them to become responsible and compassionate global citizens.
As the Academy embraces these timeless values, it endeavors to inculcate in each student a sense of moral clarity and an appreciation for the diverse tapestry of human cultures. By doing so, New Hope Academy strives to make a positive impact not only in the academic development of its students but also in the broader context of global harmony and unity among all people.
The Most Unique Venture in Maryland
NHA promotes a distinctive educational approach that is exclusive and matchless, far ahead of the traditional schools it focuses on enhancing the foundation of the students by nurturing it with the five key skills that is consistently found in well-rounded, content, and successful individuals. These skills incorporate critical thinking, problem-solving, the ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse range of people, exceptional communication capabilities, and the adept application of creativity in their pursuits. It nurtures these crucial skills in the students’ curriculum as a vehicle.
Character education and leadership training programs that are the guiding forces lie primarily in its educational framework. It introduces advanced methods of learning like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program, complemented by ample opportunities for students to explore arts, sports, and creative courses. It believes that learning should be an exciting adventure. A minimum of six field trips annually for every grade, ranging from PreK 3 to 12th grade is also organised by the Academy.
It makes the most of its location, which is ideal given that Baltimore, Annapolis, the Chesapeake Bay, the Catoctin Mountains, and Washington, D.C. are all about an hour’s drive away. The area is brimming with cultural, historical, and ethnic diversity. Field trips to the Smithsonian museums and galleries, NASA, Gettysburg, the National Zoo, the Baltimore Aquarium, live performances, athletic events, parks, monuments, and historical sites are just a few of the places students visit. In addition to improving the curriculum, these outings encourage parent involvement by providing chaperoning opportunities, strengthening bonds and connections within the NHA community.
With certification from the Maryland State Department of Education, NHA can serve students in PreK–12 as a non-public school. In addition, the school has obtained Homeland Security’s SEVIS certification as an I-20 school, allowing for the acceptance of overseas students. In order to further foster a sense of global consciousness and awareness among its students, it integrates projects like The Gambia Project into its educational initiatives, emphasizing a worldwide perspective.
Enhancing the Academics Strategically
At New Hope Academy the course planning is concrete and helps in wholesome development of the students. Fundamental subjects like Reading, Writing, and Math are paid high significance, as a foundation of the school’s educational approach. They have crafted their curriculum to ensure a comprehensive and well-rounded foundation in these areas.
When it comes to mathematics, it uses the Saxon Math PreK-Alg II curriculum, which is similar to the demanding math curricula found in Europe and Asia but places more emphasis on mastery. What makes New Hope Academy unique is the determination to perform the best so that children would get the benefit. It goes above and beyond the typical 45 minutes to devote a full hour of training each day on mathematics.
Additionally, it blends students from 7th grade through AP Calculus into mixed-age classes in a novel way that challenges each student while avoiding overwhelming them. A key component of their math teaching methodology is having students fix their own mistakes on assignments and assessments, which promotes a better comprehension of problem-solving strategies.
For Reading, it relies on extensive data-driven research to implement a phonic-based reading program from PreK3 through 2nd grade. Additionally, the exceptional staff provides extra support by dividing classes into at least two reading groups, catering to both foundational needs and challenges for advanced students. It utilizes various supplementary materials to enhance comprehension, vocabulary, reading speed, and fluency. From 2nd grade to 12th grade, students engage in a collective reading experience by delving into a novel each quarter, followed by analytical discussions.
For Writing, it starts the preparation early on, using a curriculum designed by an occupational therapist known as “Handwriting Without Tears” to strengthen hand muscles, enabling correct pencil grip. They guide students through the Zaner-Bloser printing method, followed by cursive writing. Starting from journaling and sentence writing in kindergarten, students progress to writing book reports, short stories, poetry, and various writing styles in elementary school. As students advance into middle and high school, they tackle research papers, mastering MLA format, citation usage, and an array of writing styles and essay formats.
It expands its curriculum by adding speciality classes, which start in kindergarten. Weekly classes in five specialty areas—Art, Music, Physical Education, Foreign Languages (Spanish and Korean), and Technology—are taught by teachers with expertise or a degree. In addition, students in the Upper School can select two electives, each meeting twice a week for a longer period of time—85 minutes each day. These elective courses, which offer a wide range of alternatives from fitness and dance styles to music composition, robotics, and several other interesting disciplines, are the product of teachers and students working together to provide students a well-rounded educational experience.
The students also get opportunities of acceptance in prestigious universities and earn many significant scholarships. Most of the graduates pursue engineering, medicine, science, and tech fields, because of their strong math skills.
The Interesting Chapters of Technology and Innovation
NHA understands the need of the hour and the urgency to promote technology and technical knowledge in students to make them efficient in the competitive world. Spanning from kindergarten to 12th grade, in every classroom, from the earliest stages to the most advanced, interactive whiteboards are a fixture, enhancing the learning process through dynamic and engaging presentations.
Each student, regardless of their grade level, is equipped with a Chromebook, an invaluable tool that is an integral part of their daily lessons and extends into their homework assignments. This seamless technology integration into the learning process gives students the resources they need to excel in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
In addition to utilizing technology in their core curriculum, students have dedicated technology classes, which occur one to three times a week. This dedicated time allows students to delve deeper into technology, honing their skills and knowledge.
The journey into the world of technology begins early at New Hope Academy. Kindergarten students embark on their tech education by learning the foundations of coding, setting the stage for their technological development. By 3rd grade, students expand their technical repertoire, mastering essential software such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe Photoshop. They also learn to design charts and graphs, which proves invaluable during their participation in science fair projects.
As students’ progress into the middle school years, they advance their skills further, mastering the art of website development by 7th grade. The foundation laid in these early years paved the way for more advanced opportunities in steps 8 through 12. During this period, students can explore a range of advanced technology and elective courses. These courses encompass robotics, video game design, animation, and Advanced Placement (AP) offerings, such as AP Computer Principles and AP Computer Science.
This comprehensive approach to technology integration ensures that New Hope Academy students are not only proficient but also well-prepared for the technological challenges and opportunities that await them in their academic and professional journeys.
NHA’s Inclusive Culture
Ms Joy shares, “As principal of NHA, I am committed to each student gaining the skills they need academically to be successful in life, but more importantly, I want them to be people of integrity and good heart.” At the heart of NHA’s educational philosophy is a strong emphasis on character education. While the institution refrains from teaching specific religious doctrines, it warmly encourages the free expression of faith, permitting moments of prayer and meditation.
It shines bright as a vibrant and diverse community comprising individuals from various racial, ethnic, and belief backgrounds, including Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, and agnostic. As far as inclusivity is concerned, the school encourages gatherings that often commence with a prayer, allowing each person to express their faith according to their traditions.
Character education at NHA adopts a weekly theme, instigating guided discussions among students. Topics encompass virtues such as empathy, honesty, trustworthiness, good sportsmanship, integrity, resiliency, and the value of learning from one’s mistakes. The foundation of NHA’s culture lies in the “Golden Rule,” advocating treating others as one would like to be treated. Expressions of appreciation and gratitude are warmly encouraged, fostering a positive and appreciative atmosphere.
Transparency and accountability are established here. When challenges or issues arise, the administration addresses them openly, often involving classroom discussions to resolve concerns. It maintains a strict stance against bullying, sexual harassment, mean-spirited teasing, or any form of disrespect towards staff. Repeat offenses or acts of violence are taken seriously and may lead to dismissal.
In the interest of minimizing unnecessary drama and fostering personal growth, NHA discourages romantic relationships within the school. This practice extends from the professional world, where adults are restricted from having romantic relationships with coworkers. It follows suit by not permitting romantic relationships or public displays of affection on campus, with the emphasis placed on building deep and meaningful friendships among students.
NHA strives to not only educate minds but also nurture compassionate and responsible individuals who carry the values of integrity and respect into their future.
Creating a Safe and Pleasant Space for Learning
The student body of New Hope Academy is varied, with 15 percent receiving assistance through a 504 Plan. These individualized plans cover a wide range of needs, including social emotional conditions like anxiety and depression or medical issues like diabetes or sickle cell. Learning disabilities like dyslexia, slow processing speed, ADHD, or high-functioning autism spectrum disorders are also addressed. This all-inclusive strategy demonstrates the school’s dedication to meeting the needs of many kinds of students.
Furthermore, NHA recognizes the unique talents and abilities of approximately 20 percent of its students, who would qualify for talented and gifted (TAG) programs. The school embraces the diversity within its student body, acknowledging that everyone has strengths and growth areas. This philosophy fosters an environment where students learn to collaborate effectively with peers of differing abilities.
It does not maintain a special education team. As a result, if a student has been recommended not to be mainstreamed, the school may not be the most suitable program for them. The institution is dedicated to creating an inclusive and accommodating learning atmosphere.
To promote meaningful communication between families and educators, NHA requires parents to attend semi-annual parent-teacher conferences and back-to-school nights. These events facilitate a strong connection between parents and teachers, aiding in the understanding of academic expectations, homework, and behavioral standards. In cases where students exhibit concerning behaviors, struggle academically, or encounter mental or emotional health challenges, it convenes Student Guidance Team Meetings. These meetings involve parents, all of the student’s teachers, and the entire administrative team, ensuring a comprehensive approach to addressing the student’s needs, which may include counseling for issues like depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation, or past trauma.
NHA extends its educational impact beyond the classroom, sponsoring Boy Scout Troop 1212, which has produced 55 Eagle Scouts. Moreover, the school organizes an annual three-week trip to Gambia, Africa, primarily aimed at older students, staff, and parents, providing a unique cultural and educational experience.
The school offers various graduation options, including early graduation after the 11th grade. Through partnerships with local colleges, NHA seniors can engage in concurrent enrollment, take college-level courses for credit, or pursue internships during their 12th-grade year. This approach demonstrates its commitment to achieving well-rounded, accomplished, and culturally aware graduates.
All-rounder in the Educational Sphere
Ms Joy believes, “The most critical factor in having an excellent school is the caliber of teachers you hire.” Based on this ideology NHA carefully selects qualified individuals who have an excellent grasp of curriculum content, know how to successfully manage a class, and model compassion, kindness, forgiveness, a sense of humor, demonstrate integrity, and exude a deep passion for what they teach.
The academy engages community experts to address Upper School students on various topics, including mental health, micro-aggressions, suicide prevention, and more, creating an environment that encourages student activism and social responsibility. The school actively supports charitable initiatives, organizing clothing drives for the homeless and promoting international awareness through the NHA Gambia Program.
It boasts exceptional facilities, including a Tae Kwon Do studio and a professional dance studio, offering comprehensive programs for students from PreK-3 through high school. Highlighted by the notable achievements of the varsity boys and former varsity girls’ basketball teams, NHA’s sports encompass a variety of disciplines, including tennis, soccer, girls’ volleyball, track, and other sports.
The student government arranges a range of social events, from dances and parties to end-of-year trips and proms. High school students have the opportunity to partake in science trips to Florida or Costa Rica, or even embark on international adventures through “Youth for Understanding.”
It ensures that students take standardized tests like the Terra Nova, PSAT, and SAT at various grade levels. The school consistently achieves an impressive college acceptance rate, with last year’s nine graduates receiving substantial scholarship offers. The commitment to continuous improvement is evident in the school’s rigorous staff development programs, which include two weeks of teaching training in August and additional days during the school year.
