Enrichment at the Academy

Bulldog Swim is an after school program for those students wishing to become stronger and faster swimmers. This will teach proper technique in all four competitive strokes, starts, and turns. This program is open to 2nd-6th graders who can successfully swim 25 yards in freestyle and backstroke.

Bulldog Swim Session Times: 3:15-4:45 pm. One, two, and three day program options available. (Selection made during online registration).

Sessions meet on Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday beginning Tuesday, March 10 through Thursday, April 16. Please see the calendar below for full schedule.

Director: Mike Zmuda, Norfolk Academy Swim Coach

                                                 PROGRAM IS FULL

Participants in Literature to Life Drama Club will share in almost every facet of producing a play as we bring much-loved literature to life! We will work together to develop scenery, props, costumes, and the play itself. This dynamic program will help young thespians take to the stage and shine as we present the story, Spaghetti on a Hot Dog Bun. This story about “having the courage to be who you are" will empower participants and viewers alike to always do the right thing and be proud of who they are. You won't want to miss out on this life-changing performance!

Director: Valerie Thornton

Classes begin March 10 and meet on Tuesdays/Thursdays. Please click on calendar for full schedule.

In this six-week program, students will learn the basics of sewing and will progress into more advanced designs and creations. They will understand the importance of straight lines, patterns, and everything in between. They will also learn how to operate, care for, and use the sewing machine appropriately. This fun program teaches sewing while encouraging your child to think creatively! Sewing machines and supplies are included, but for children with their own machine, this is a great opportunity to learn more about it, so they are encouraged to bring their own!

Director: Itjse Rowson

Class begins Wednesday, April 1 and runs through Wednesday, May 6.

Session times are 3:20-5:20 pm.

Please see the calendar below for full schedule.

Please join us for a swashbuckling good time!

YPTP will fight pirates, swim with the mermaids, and even try to outrun a “tick-tocking” crocodile! Peter Pan is a timeless children’s tale and we will bring it to life on stage. The children will help in every aspect of the production alongside our fabulous cast of grownups! We will sing, dance, and even fly...Well, we will feel like we are flying, at least. Hope you will join us.

Director: Becky Peterson

Class begins January 21 and meets Tuesdays/Thursdays.

Please see the calendar below for  complete schedule.

Members of Chess Club will meet once a week to learn the game of Chess. They will practice specific strategies, use Chess clocks, and play games, culminating in a tournament.

Session Times: 3:20-4:30 pm

Session Dates: Mondays, March 9, 16, 23, April 6, 20, 27, May 4

Director: Mr. Phil Call

Join Dr. Galler as Minute to Win It meets EDI in this new and exciting program! Participants are sure to have a great time as they compete to solve EDI challenges in both a team and individual setting! This fun and thought provoking program will surely provide a good time to all!

Session Time and Dates: 3:30-5 pm
Wednesdays, March 18, 25, April 1, 8

Students in EDI Makey Makey Arcade will design and build exciting interactive game controllers! The fun won't stop there! Using their creations, students will compete for high score in games like Snake, Run, DDR, and more! More importantly, in this program students will learn and reinforce skills in wiring and engineering design!

Session Times: 3:30-5 pm
Tuesdays, March 17, 24, 31, and April 7

According to “The Peace of Mind" core curriculum, mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to our thoughts, our feelings, and what is happening around us. It also includes putting space between our reactions and our responses. Through the Peace of Mind program, students will begin to understand how to speak, act, listen, and move mindfully. They will acquire a basic understanding of the brain, and will be given tools to help them manage emotions and other essential skills to navigate an increasingly complex society.

Director: Maureen Speers, MSW

Class meets Mondays, March 16 through May 11.

Time: 3:20-4:30 pm

Please see the calendar below for full schedule. 

According to “The Peace of Mind" core curriculum, mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to our thoughts, our feelings, and what is happening around us. It also includes putting some space between our reactions and our responses. Through the Peace of Mind program, students will begin to understand how to speak, act, listen, and move mindfully. They will acquire a basic understanding of the brain, and will be given tools to help them manage emotions and other essential skills to navigate an increasingly complex society.

Director: Maureen Speers, MSW

Class meets on Wednesdays, March 18 through April 29.

Please see the calendar below for complete schedule. 

Are you curious? Do you love puzzles? Are you eager to learn the engineering and logic behind computer programs? Then Computer Programming using Python is for you! Python is open-source and one of the fastest growing computer programming languages. During these sessions, students will work through self-paced learning modules to learn new skills, and develop a deeper understanding of computer science. Join us as we take our skills to the next level and write our own computer programs! (No prior coding skills required).

Director: Mr. Taragan

Classes begin on January 8th and finish January 29. They meet on Mondays and Wednesdays. Please click on calendar for full schedule.

Did you know that French is the second most influential language in the world, and that it is spoken on every continent? Children will enjoy our fun and fully immersive small French After School Program especially designed for young learners. French After School offers an educational, active, and intercultural experience for the children. Young students learn French with playful activities and explore the language through thematic projects and real-world tasks that immerse them in French language and Francophone cultures.

Children will learn new words and language structures, using them in fun, age-appropriate activities like arts and crafts, songs, dance, games, and stories. Children will have the opportunity to use their language skills to prepare them for future interactions in the real world.

Director: Alliance Francaise of Hampton Roads Instructors

Class begins January 7 and finish on January 30. They meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please click on calendar for full schedule.

This is the place to learn the sport of Field Hockey! During these five fun-filled sessions, varsity players will teach your daughter the important skills of the game so she can be successful! The sessions will always end with game play. We ask that the girls bring their own mouth guard, shin guards and water bottle. We have sticks that they can borrow. Girls in grades 1-6 can participate and they can bring friends from other schools. We will divide them according to age so they are with their friends! Hope you can join us! Play takes place in the pavilion so please-sneakers only. 

Director: Coach Werkheiser

Sessions meet on Saturdays, beginning January 11 and finish on February 8. Please click on calendar for full schedule. 

This is the place to learn the sport of Field Hockey! During these five fun-filled sessions, varsity players will teach your daughter the important skills of the game so she can be successful! The sessions will always end with game play. We ask that the girls bring their own mouth guard, shin guards and water bottle. We have sticks that they can borrow. Girls in grades 1-6 can participate and they can bring friends from other schools. We will divide them according to age so they are with their friends! Hope you can join us! Play takes place in the pavilion so please-sneakers only. 

Director: Coach Werkheiser

Sessions meet on Saturdays, beginning January 11 and finish on February 8. Please click on calendar for full schedule. 

Participants in Literature to Life Drama Club will share in nearly every facet of producing a play as we bring much-loved literature to life! We will work together to develop scenery, props, costumes, and the play itself! This dynamic program will help young thespians take to the stage and shine as we present the story, Spaghetti on a Hot Dog Bun. This story about “having the courage to be who you are" will empower participants and viewers alike to always do the right thing and be proud of who they are. You won't want to miss out on this life-changing performance!

Director: Mrs. Thornton

Classes begin March 10 and meet on Tuesdays/Thursdays. The Literature to Life performance is Thursday, April 23. Please click on calendar for full schedule.

In this eight-week program, students will learn the basics of sewing, and will progress into more advanced designs and creations. They will understand the importance of straight lines, patterns and everything in between!  They will also learn how to operate, care for and use the sewing machine appropriately. This very fun program teaches sewing in the most creative way while encouraging your child's creativity!

*Sewing machines and supplies are included, but for children with their own machine, this is a great opportunity to learn more about it so they are encouraged to bring their own!

Director: Itsje Rowson

Class begins Wednesday, January 8, and concludes on February 26 . Please click on calendar for full schedule.

SOLD OUT!  If you would like to be added to the wait list, please email Anita Pozin. 

Please join us for swashbuckling time!

YPTP will fight pirates, swim with the mermaids and even try to outrun a “tick-tocking” crocodile! Peter Pan has been a timeless children’s tale and we will bring it to life on stage. The children will help in every aspect of the production alongside my fabulous cast of grownups! We will sing, dance, and even fly….Well, we will feel like we are flying, at least. Hope you will join us.

Director: Mrs. Peterson

Class begins Tuesday, January 21 and meets Tuesdays/Thursdays. YPTP performance is schedule for Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26. Please click on calendar for full schedule. 

Board a 15-passenger NA Van and head to York River State Park. We will look for 5 million-year-old fossil seashells on the banks of the York River and walk the trails of York River State Park. We will eat lunch in the State Park Visitors Center and enjoy hot chocolate out on the trail.

Director: Mr. Carroll

Saturday, February 1,  8:30 am-4:00 pm

Students will make, and take home, an air plant ornament, create a decorative succulent pot, a cut flower arrangement and plant several other plants including a bromeliad, a spider plant, a snake plant, and the purple mystery plant. Students will also learn more about plant care and get to know the different types of plants in the Lower School greenhouse. We will also create many extra decorative succulent pots that we will care for in the greenhouse before selling them at the Field Day plant sale. We will hang out with the animals in Mr. Carroll’s room between planting time, including Twinkle the bunny.

Director: Mr. Carroll

Date: Saturday, January 11, 9:00 am-3:00 pm

What a great way to spend a Friday night-hanging out with Mr. Carroll while learning and laughing! Join us for Science Movie Night as we view “The Biggest Little Farm." In addition, our evening will include a pizza dinner, outdoor fun, and also get a little time with the classroom animals!

Director: Mr. Carroll

Date: Friday, January 10. 3:20 pm-8:30 pm

What a great way to spend a Friday night-hanging out with Mr. Carroll while learning and laughing! Join us for Science Movie Night as we view “Apollo 13." In addition, our evening will include a pizza dinner, outdoor fun and also get a little time with the classroom animals!  

Director: Mr. Carroll

Date: Friday, January 24. 3:20 pm-8:00 pm

We will enter First Landing State Park from Shore Drive, park at the Trail Center and commence to hike as far as possible while learning about this beautiful maritime forest. Students should dress accordingly.

Director: Mr. Carroll

Date: Thursday, December 19. 1 - 5:30 pm

More details

We will enter First Landing State Park from Shore Drive, park at the Trail Center and commence to hike as far as possible while learning about this beautiful maritime forest. Students should dress accordingly.

Director: Mr. Carroll

Date: Friday, December 20. Noon - 4:30 pm.

More details

According to “The Peace of Mind" core curriculum, mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to our thoughts, our feelings, and what is happening around us. It also includes putting some space between our reactions and our responses. The Peace of Mind program explores mindfulness through playful and tangible games, activities, books and art! Students will begin to understand how to speak, act, listen, and move mindfully. They will acquire a basic understanding of the brain, and will be given tools to help them manage emotions, and other essential skills to navigate in an increasingly complex society.

Director: Maureen Keefe Speers, MSW

Email MSpeers@norfolkacademy.org for more information!

Class meets on Wednesdays, beginning January 8 and concludes on February 26.  Please click on calendar for complete schedule.