Norfolk Collegiate Viewbook

A GREAT EDUCATION. AN EVEN BETTER EXPERIENCE.

NORFOLK COLLEGIATE. SO MUCH MORE THAN A GREAT EDUCATION.

Talk to the teachers, staff or families at Norfolk Collegiate. Ask them about their school. You’ll see a gleam in their eyes and a smile crease their faces.

You see, it’s hard not to love this place.

Shadow students as they move from class to class. Yes, they too are smiling, but in their case it is a precursor to laughter.

That’s right, laughter and learning can go hand in hand. It allows students to fully embrace their education.

Parents and students at Norfolk Collegiate know they are getting a great education. Like magic, it seems, they are getting an even better experience.

Welcome to Norfolk Collegiate!

MORE THAN A SCHOOL. A FAMILY.

TEACHING WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

ACADEMICS

For 70 years, Norfolk Collegiate has blended a supportive, hands-on learning environment with challenging coursework.

After all, the quality education and experiences that our students receive at Norfolk Collegiate, and their successes in college and beyond have made Norfolk Collegiate one of the area’s premier college preparatory schools.

Norfolk Collegiate was selected by the College Board as an AP Capstone™ school – the first in Hampton Roads to receive this designation. The rigorous, research-based program builds on our extensive catalog of AP courses and provides additional advantages for our students as they prepare for college.

We also understand that while teaching our students the things they need to know is important, instilling a true love of learning will serve them for a lifetime.

Balancing a traditional collegepreparatory curriculum with innovative, forward-leading techniques that leverage each student’s strengths, learning style and interests distinguishes our school from others. Investing in technology while incorporating group projects, interdisciplinary studies and small classes gives our students the experiences, motivation and tools to succeed.

As independent thinkers and problemsolvers, our students matriculate at top colleges in Virginia and across the nation, poised for success at the next level.

“Without Norfolk Collegiate, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with trying new things. Not only does Collegiate give every student opportunities, but students feel comfortable taking those opportunities.”

— GABRIEL ALLEN

Norfolk Collegiate has fully embraced the makerspace movement in education and has outfitted each division with the spaces necessary for our students to explore their passions. Our MakerLabs are playgrounds for the imagination, where developmentally appropriate tools and resources enable students to turn their ideas, dreams and musings into reality.

Want to build a better electric guitar? It’s a perfect project for the MakerLab. Have an idea for a new invention? Fire up the 3D printer and create a prototype.

Located near the production spaces of the Hackney Theater, MakerLab 3 also serves as an amazing set design studio for student productions.

Norfolk Collegiate has fully embraced the makerspace movement in education…

Our MakerLabs enrich the learning environment for all of our students in every grade and discipline. Workshops and special courses, some of which are available for parents and the wider community, provide opportunities for every student to explore and create. All of this hands-on learning and doing builds something else, too; an amazing sense of confidence, accomplishment and unlimited possibility.

“Every day I come to school, I know I have no worries but to get an education and that people will be there to help me achieve my goals in and out of the classroom. Collegiate gives me tools to become a better person every day.”

— MILES EDMOND ‘18

FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS

It’s not uncommon to see the star athlete take to the stage during a performance in the spring musical or sing a solo in the school’s a cappella group. From a young age, our students are encouraged to pursue new opportunities in the arts.

Beginning in the lower school, our Oaks explore the fundamentals in the arts to support their continual growth. Our students are engaged in building a foundation that will translate smoothly into their middle school experience.

As students progress, they are encouraged to branch out and take on additional leadership roles in their respective programs.

At the middle and upper school, two- and three-dimensional art forms, large and small ensemble groups and dynamic theater productions take center stage. After all, our Meredith Center for the Arts was designed with our students in mind. Our stately center houses our professional theater, communication arts suite, galleries, chorus room and more. In addition to student productions, the Hackney Theater hosts cultural events from across the region, bringing thousands of visitors to our campus every year.

SETTING THE STAGE FOR ARTISTIC INSPIRATION OF ALL KINDS.

“A quality education is a top priority for our children, and we consider it an honor and privilege to be a part of this stellar institution.”

— CAPT. RICH MCDANIEL, PARENT

ATHLETICS

At Norfolk Collegiate, we believe a wellrounded school experience includes a healthy emphasis on team sports and fitness, strength and conditioning. All students, from pre-kindergarten to Grade 12, benefit from our athletic program.

Beginning in the lower school, our students participate in physical education and intramurals, with a focus on fitness and nutrition.

In the middle school and upper school, athletics are a core component of the educational experience. Beginning in sixth grade, students are able to participate in numerous interscholastic competitive athletics. Our philosophy encourages participation and growth at the younger levels with a healthy emphasis on competition,

achievement and personal and team excellence at the junior varsity and varsity levels.

Completed in 2015, our $2.6 million athletic facility houses two stunning, full-sized turf fields pre-lined for soccer, field hockey and lacrosse. Six state-of-the-art lighting fixtures and high-visibility scoreboards allow student-athletes to continue competition into the evening hours. Our athletic facility seats 500 friends and family, and a batting cage allows our baseball and softball teams to practice year round. Our facilities provide our student-athletes and the local athletic community a venue unmatched by any other school in Hampton Roads.

Photo courtesy of Jim Morrison, jmwriter.com

SHAPING THE STUDENT BODY.

YOUR SPORT?

WHERE LAUGHING AND LEARNING COME TOGETHER. LOWER SCHOOL.

Our Outdoor Learning Lab ensures our students don’t feel cooped up in the classroom.

At Norfolk Collegiate, the uniqueness of every young student is celebrated by our talented, dedicated teachers. In their own way, each student is filled with potential, curiosity and enthusiasm – and each has so much to learn and to offer in the years ahead.

Our lower school’s challenging, stimulating programs incorporate the latest technology and advanced teaching approaches to lay the foundation for academic success.

Innovative initiatives like our Outdoor Learning Lab – where students learn from a working chicken coop, greenhouse, vegetable gardens and

a koi ponds with hydroponics – bring home lessons in ways that textbooks simply cannot.

Character development starts in pre-kindergarten with our lower school core values and continues as our students journey through Collegiate.

In short, from the beginning we focus on each student not only as part of the Collegiate family, but also as an individual with distinct interests, skills and varied paths to success. We encourage and celebrate every one of those successes along the way.

Classes in the iMac and PC labs introduce our youngest Oaks to keyboarding, graphic design, coding and digital video production.

Video newscasts and weather reports are produced by the lower school students several times each week.

…the uniqueness of every young student is celebrated by our talented, dedicated teachers.

THE ENCOURAGEMENT TO STRETCH AND TAKE RISKS. THE FREEDOM TO LEARN AND GROW. MIDDLE SCHOOL.

In grades six through eight, Norfolk Collegiate students experience lively learning in the humanities, math, science, technology, athletics and leadership. During these critical years, we support and guide students as they move naturally on to paths of their emerging talents and interests. Their journey sees the transition from the lower school core values to an emphasis on our middle school core values. Students participate in our advisory program, where they are mentored by dedicated teachers as

they engage in character development, community service and philanthropy.

Middle school explores a wide range of intellectual, physical and social differences as students develop at their own pace. Our teachers focus on personalized instruction while working closely with families to develop students who take responsibility for their own learning.

We challenge our middle school students to think critically, develop strong values and interpersonal skills as they explore new ideas.

POWERED BY POTENTIAL BEING REALIZED. UPPER SCHOOL.

During their senior year, students have the opportunity to travel throughout the United States and internationally on LEAP Term trips.

In the culminating years of a Norfolk Collegiate education, our students transform from adolescence to young men and women ready to take on the world.

Our learning community enables students to explore their interests and challenge themselves in a variety of ways. From AP Capstone™ to MakerLabs to LEAP, we help our students develop as independent thinkers and problem solvers. Throughout these years, activities fostering interpersonal skills, social

responsibility, leadership, service and philanthropy are emphasized. Our advisory system and college counseling program provide the support necessary to guide each student to success. Our promise is to prepare young adults for college and beyond. We build skills and confidence through real-world experiences and inspire a lifelong love of learning. Every graduate is a promise kept.

There’s that common thread and community feel that Norfolk Collegiate provides. It’s what also makes Norfolk Collegiate unique. We are part of an extended family here.”

“Norfolk Collegiate has always given me a sense of community and connectivity both during my time there and after graduating.

— KATIE KIEFNER NONEMAKER ’96

COLLEGE COUNSELING

We believe the journey from our hallways to those of higher education institutions across the United States is more than an application. Our counselors strive to ensure that each Oak finds a college that is the right fit for that Oak. This individualized process starts during the freshman year and increases at a reasonable, steady pace until our Oaks cross our stage at graduation and begin the next phase of their academic careers.

Understanding the college exploration and admissions process requires the guidance of our knowledgeable experts who mentor and advocate for each student. Our counselors visit colleges and universities, attend conferences and participate in numerous boards to stay on top of this dynamic, evolving landscape. They offer a series of tailored seminars, visits with admissions officers and college workshops to help students and their families navigate the complexities of college admissions.

Here, students take ownership of the process and work closely with our counselors to ensure they are not only continuing their education at great schools, but also at institutions that are the right fit for them.

We are proud of every student’s choice. We celebrate our Oaks’ journeys, which have led them to a wide variety of colleges and universities across the United States, including:

Boston University

College of Charleston

College of William & Mary

Duke University

Elon University

George Mason University

James Madison University

Randolph-Macon College

United States Naval Academy

The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

University of California, Irvine

University of Georgia

University of Mary Washington

University of Richmond

University of Virginia

Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Military Institute

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

Wake Forest University

Washington College

WE TAKE THE COLLEGIATE PART OF OUR NAME SERIOUSLY.

INDEPENDENT THINKERS LEARNING AND DOING TOGETHER. STUDENT LIFE.

Every student has unique passions and abilities. Norfolk Collegiate students are encouraged to participate in a wide array of student life opportunities in academics, arts, athletics and extracurricular activities.

Guiding students to develop a strong moral compass through a school-wide code of honor begins at pre-kindergarten. This core value of integrity is part of everyday life, from friendships to social activities, and it is incorporated into a student-led Honor Council in the middle and upper school.

To further develop their sense of community, responsibility and involvement, students also may participate in a variety of extracurricular activities and elective courses. From enrichment offerings at the lower school to more than 50 clubs and sports at the middle and upper schools, students can choose to participate in organizations and teams that will expand their experience and develop their leadership skills.

Student life at Norfolk Collegiate means learning the benefits and responsibilities of being part of an amazing, supportive community.

A LONG HISTORY OF BRIGHT FUTURES. SCHOOL HISTORY.

For almost 75 years, Norfolk Collegiate has been one of the leading educational institutions in Hampton Roads.

Founded as Carolton Oaks School in 1948 – initially a kindergarten and preschool – the school continued to grow. In 1973, the name was changed to Norfolk Collegiate School to reflect the college preparatory mission that had developed.

Over the years, the institution has flourished and grown – and continues to do so:

• The site of the current lower school was acquired in 1973.

• In 1988, the upper school was built on Granby Street.

• In 1995, athletic fields and tennis courts were added.

• In 1999, the lower school was built.

• In 2005, the middle school was completed.

• In 2010, the school was equipped with Wi-Fi and SMART Boards to meet the needs of today’s learners.

• In 2013 (the school’s 65th anniversary), the Meredith Center for the Arts opened.

• In 2015, the school added its $2.6 million athletic complex.

OUR ADMISSIONS TEAM

Stacy Nixon

Assistant Head for Advancement snixon@norfolkcollegiate.org

Brian Owens

Associate Director of Admissions bowens@norfolkcollegiate.org

Alicia Schlarb Enrollment Coordinator aschlarb@norfolkcollegiate.org

For more information, or to schedule your private tour, please call (757) 480-1495.