What an exciting summer here at the Academy! We start the 2017-18 school year off with a brand new look that is both refreshing and inspiring. The most striking change comes as a result of a tree harvesting project that was undertaken with the two-point goal of promoting the health of our forest and opening up the space around our facilities to create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

What does it mean to be Academy Prepared? It means that by the time you graduate from the Academy you will have the skills, knowledge, and experiences you need to attract colleges and earn scholarships. It means that you will learn to be a leader and build character. It means that the Academy is for you!

The Academy's STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) initiative to prepare students with 21st Century skills to compete in the global economy takes a major step forward with TWO new makerspaces.

The foundation of academic achievement is built with organizational, listening, study, and critical thinking skills. The Freshmen Success Program at the Academy helps students acquire, practice, and apply those skills to achieve their highest level of success.

The Lower School children will have a new playground space to enjoy with the start of school. With funding from the Academy's Blue & Gold Auction and private donors, the back playground project was started in early June and completed in August. The site was graded, a stone retaining wall and stairs were built, bark mulch was added, and the structures installed. A ceremony to dedicate the playground structures to former board member and music teacher, Ann Coddaire, will be held on Monday, August 28th.

An Open House for high school aged girls and their families will be held at the Academy on Nov. 5th. Visitors will be welcomed by current students, parents, alumnae, faculty, coaches, and staff. Hear from the President, tour the building and learn what it means to be Academy Prepared.

Whether driven by opportunities to compete or by personal achievement, the Lower School Athletic Program for grades 5-8 delivers quality instruction and motivation.

The Blanche M. Walsh Sports Center got a facelift during the summer of 2016. The walls were painted, the floor refinished complete with a new NDA Lancers logo and the bathrooms repaired and updated. It looks and feels like a brand new gym!

Star players and eager learners are both welcomed into the Athletics program at the Academy. Here players are not turned away; athletes actually get to compete; and teams win! In 2016-17, the Academy had 3 divisional league championship teams, 16 athletes named league all-stars, 3 athletes voted as league divisional MVPs and 2 coaches voted as league divisional Coaches of the Year.

Families with children 10 and under are invited to join us for the 2nd Annual Academy Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, October 21st from 1 to 3 p.m. featuring Halloween trunk displays, a scarecrow display, trunk-or-treating, games and activities.