New Hope Academy
| New Hope Academy | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
7009 Varnum Street , 20784 | |
| Information | |
| Type | Private School |
| Established | 1990 |
| Color(s) | Blue, Green, and Gold |
| Website | www |
New Hope Academy, which includes New Hope International High School, is an academically oriented pre-school through high school private school, founded in 1990, and located on a former public school[1] 8-acre (32,000 m2) campus in Landover Hills, Prince George's County, MD (near Washington, D.C.).[2][3]
Licensing and accreditation
The school is certified by the Maryland State Department of Education and federally (SEVIS) approved to enroll international F-1 students,[1][4]
Philosophy and goals
The school accepts children of all faiths, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds.[1] The school was founded by parents concerned with the education of the whole child - intellect, creativity, character, etc., who felt that the public school approach excluded any religious or spiritual dimension in education. The school attempts to include prayer, and moral focus in a way that it believes conforms to universal expressions of faith; the school community says it regards these as an important part of children's development.[5]
Curriculum
The curriculum includes math, science, social studies, language arts, fine arts, physical education, music, foreign languages(Spanish and Korean), ESL (English as a Second Language), computer studies, and others. Optional classes in the after-school enrichment program are offered in activities ranging from drama, dance, Robotics, and science to sports and martial arts (Taekwondo).
There is a system of "mentoring" within the school where older children work with and assist younger children, designed to foster the social development and learning of both older and younger students.[6]
The school teaches a phonics-based reading program, beginning with phonemic awareness in preschool. Most students start to read in kindergarten and read classic novels by 4th and 5th grade. Students begin writing short stories in kindergarten and by third grade are usually articulate and familiar with writing.
Teachers often make use of projects, science experiments, hands-on learning, and monthly field trips. Students also participate in the Jason project, the National Geography Bee, and a school wide science fair each spring. In 2008, students from the school won laptop computers by placing first in the biomedical-themed game show competition at the annual technology youth summit sponsored by the Patriots Technology Training Center.[7]
On the SAT (Stanford Achievement Test), a national standardized test, the school is in the top 10% nationally.[8][9]
Religious affiliation
The religious affiliation of the founders of the school, 12 mothers from the same church - is the Unification Church, but it is not a church school and no religion classes are offered. Nevertheless, the Unification Church (and its founder Sun Myung Moon) is controversial. The school was set up using a "community of religions" model of allowing expression of faith instead of banning them. Most of the students and even most of the faculty are not Unification Church members.[1] Rather they represent a variety of religious beliefs and practices. The school is legally independent of the Unification Church, governed by a board of directors set up by the founding mothers, which consists of people who have varying current relationships to the Unification Church as well as members of other religions.[5][9]
Challenges
The aging building, a former public elementary school built in the 1940s, had a leaky roof until a second mortgage was taken out in 2003 to pay for $600,000 in renovations which included replacing the roof, various upgrades, automated library services, and a new science lab.[4] Even so, not every physical aspect of the school was renovated, but the school as part of its mission to serve Prince George's County deliberately seeks to keep tuition costs low.[10]
References
- ^ a b c d "Dream school gives parents New Hope", by Nicole Barnes, Journal staff writer, Prince George's Journal, Feb. 25, 2000
- ^ Home. New Hope Academy. Retrieved on August 26, 2018. "New Hope Academy 7009 Varnum Street Hyattsville MD"
- ^ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Landover Hills town, MD." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 26, 2018.
- ^ a b "Young researchers resume study at renovated lab", by Tyisha Manigo, New Carrollton Gazette, Feb. 12, 2004.
- ^ a b New Hope Academy: Statement on Faith, Devotions, and Traditions
- ^ New Hope Academy: SA K–12 private school in Prince George's County, MD (an introduction to the school)
- ^ "Wonder of science on display at annual technology summit: Competitions, workshops and exhibitors plug youth in to potential careers", by Jonathan Stein, staff writer, The Gazette, May 1, 2008. See also New Hope Academy students win Patriots Technology Summit Challenge! and Patriots Technology Training Center.
- ^ New Hope Academy: School Profile
- ^ a b "New Hope Academy offers value-based program", The Prince George's County Sentinel, by Claire Chapman, Sentinel Staff Writer, January 18, 1996.
- ^ New Hope Academy: Tuition and Fees
External links
- New Hope Academy (school web site, main page)
- School statement on faiths (on school web site)
- School faculty (on school web site)
- School curriculum (on school web site)