News & Events

Norfolk Academy launched a brand refresh this fall with a tagline drawn directly from the school's Philosophy & Objectives and a new logo that joins others school insignias.

The new logo, a crest with “NA" and the date of the school's charter, 1728, is inspired by the school's architecture: The top of the crest follows the curve of the main arch that welcomes students onto the campus. Passing under the arch, they walk past the fountain toward the Pit and the James B. Massey Jr. Leadership Center. The logo replaces one with a box-chain design, loosely inspired by the Pit, that came into use in 2019, along with the “Valued Voices. Exciting Choices." tagline. 

The new crest will join Norfolk Academy's other well-loved insignias: the interlocking NA, our official Bulldogs, and the school seal with an image of the Greek Temple school building in downtown Norfolk, which all remain in use.

The new tagline, “Rooted in Honor. Growing in Wisdom and Understanding." reflects the core principles that shape life at Norfolk Academy, arising from the student-led Honor System. The approach begins in first grade, when students are introduced to the core tenets, “I tell the truth. I do my own work. I do not take things that belong to others." In upper elementary school, students begin writing and signing a pledge on all of their graded assignments, and even on some homework: “I have acted honorably in the completion of this assignment." That practice continues through Graduation. 

The precise phrase, “rooted in Honor" comes from the first sentence of the school's Philosophy. The second phrase is midway through, encapsulating the fundamentals of the school's approach to learning: “We are committed to fostering academic freedom, trusting that both students and faculty will be inspired to explore, learn, and share, always striving toward wisdom and understanding." Those words sum up the purpose of pursuing knowledge, seeking to help students use what they learn to make a better word, now and into the future.

The brand refresh will roll out over the next few months with a new website arriving this winter.