Norfolk Academy
Norfolk Academy (NA) is an independent co-educational day school in Norfolk, Virginia. Chartered in 1728, it is the oldest private school in Virginia and the eighth oldest school in the United States. In 1966, Norfolk Academy merged with Country Day School for Girls in Virginia Beach, Virginia to create the current co-educational school. It serves students in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, and Suffolk.
| Norfolk Academy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
1585 Wesleyan Drive , Virginia United States | |
| Information | |
| Type | Private, Day, College-prep |
| Motto | ου πολλα αλλα πολυ (Greek) (Not quantity, but quality) |
| Established | 1728 |
| Headmaster | Travis Larrabee |
| Grades | 1–12 |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Enrollment | 1200 students in 1–12 |
| Campus | 70 acres (28 ha) |
| Color(s) | Orange & Blue |
| Athletics conference | TCIS |
| Mascot | Bulldog |
| Nickname | Bulldogs |
| Rivals | St. Christopher's School, Cape Henry Collegiate School |
| Website | www |
In sports, NA competes in the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools (TCIS) as well as in the Virginia Preparatory League (males) and the League of Independent Schools (females).
History
Norfolk Academy | |
 Norfolk Academy, 420 Bank Street, ca. 1890 | |
   | |
| Location | 420 Bank St., Norfolk, Virginia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°51′6″N 76°17′7″W |
| Area | 0 acres (0 ha) |
| Built | 1840 |
| Architect | Thomas U. Walter |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000343[1] |
| VLR No. | 122-0018 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | November 12, 1969 |
| Designated VLR | September 9, 1969[2] |
The original Norfolk Academy building was designed by architect Thomas Ustick Walter, who subsequently became the fourth Architect of the Capitol. The Greek-revival building, featured on the school's current seal (at right), was modeled after the Temple of Thesus in Athens. Subsequently, the building was a military hospital during the American Civil War and a Red Cross building during World War I. The building was used from 1920 to 1970 as the City of Norfolk's Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and from 1973 as the headquarters of City of Norfolk's Chamber of Commerce.[3][4]
Originally accessible via downtown Norfolk's Bank Street, the building now sits at the intersection of East Charlotte Street and St. Paul's Boulevard. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.[1]
Academics and student life
Students are required to research, compose, and deliver to the student body and faculty an original persuasive speech as a graduation requirement. Public speaking skills are integrated into the curriculum starting in the first grade.
Athletics
Norfolk Academy teams compete in the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools, the League of Independent Schools, and the Virginia Prep League.
Athletic venues include multiple gymnasiums, an aquatic facility, tennis courts, baseball and lacrosse fields, and track-and-field facilities.
Notable alumni
- Hardy Cross (1899), engineer[5]
- Glenn Youngkin (1985), 74th Governor of Virginia (2022–present)[6]
- Angela Hucles (1996), sports executive and former professional soccer player[7]
- Mark Williams, NBA player for Charlotte Hornets, played college basketball at Duke University, transferred from Norfolk Academy before senior year[8]
References
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
- "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
- "Chamber puts 170-year-old Norfolk building up for sale". The Virginian Pilot, 2008.
The building, based on the Greek Temple of Thesus in Athens, was designed by Thomas Ustick Walter, the man who later designed the dome of the U.S. Capitol. Along with its use as a school, the building served as a military hospital during the Civil War, and a Red Cross building in World War I. Around 1920, Norfolk used it for roughly 50 years as the city's Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
- Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission Staff (July 1969). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Norfolk Academy" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. and Accompanying photo
- Weingardt, Richard, "Engineering Legends: Great American Civil Engineers : 32 Profiles of Inspiration and Achievement", 2005, Pages 124–125
- "Glenn Youngkin '85 Helps Create Nonprofit Aimed At Supporting Unemployed Workers". Norfolk Academy News. Norfolk Academy. June 30, 2020. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- "Angela Hucles '96 Joins United Soccer League As Top Consultant". Norfolk Academy. February 19, 2020.
- "Former Norfolk Academy star Mark Williams selected 15th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA Draft". The Virginian-Pilot. June 24, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
