News & Events

Middle School students are ready to volunteer for projects with Norfolk Academy's partner organizations in Hampton Roads.

On September 10, students learned about the more than one dozen opportunities to volunteer that they'll have this school year. And there's more to this project than just volunteering. Students will collaborate with these partner organizations, identifying problems and issues they will then work on. In all, there will be at least six sessions spread out over the course of the year. 

The concept of serving the greater community is the same as PAWS for a Cause projects that Upper School students and alumni remember. But after the pandemic halted community service for a bit, the effort was reimagined to have students work more directly and become more involved with the partners.

As an example, administrators at Point O’View Elementary School asked NA's Middle School students to help design a more engaging recess experience. Students brainstormed, pitched, and received enthusiastic support for their proposal, and will work this fall on a soccer field at POV.

“Our partnership with Norfolk Academy’s middle school students, solving a challenge question at Point O’View Elementary, allowed for a deeper dive into a design thinking process," Point O'View principal Ryan Goldburg said. "Our team collaborated with middle school students to solve a problem unique to our school and the students also volunteered in our classrooms. This unique partnership provided both student populations the opportunity to develop a sense of belonging, while nurturing an understanding among all students. We are looking forward to next year!"