Salisbury Academy begins another school year with a continued commitment to engaging minds and building futures.  Recent programming and faculty and staff additions complement the school’s innovative learning environment, and will further prepare students to enter their future world as leaders.

Salisbury Academy provides quality, child-centered education to a diverse student body of junior kindergarteners through eighth-graders. The co-educational, independent school is a member of the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools and the National Association of Independent Schools. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools.

Head of School Beverly Fowler will lead the faculty and staff in continuing to further the academy’s mission of preparing well-rounded students and building upon a foundation of curriculum, community, character and faith. Prior to taking the head of school position in 2014, Fowler served in various capacities at Salisbury Academy over a 13-year period: as a teacher, head of lower school, director of admissions and academic administrator. During her tenure, Salisbury Academy has experienced substantial growth with enrollment. She has been intimately involved with the development of the curriculum and the accreditation process.

Important dates

Before school begins, there is a fifth-grade parent orientation Aug. 17 at noon which is for parents only. Family drop-in is later that day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and is open to all students and their families.

The first day of school is Aug. 19, and is a half-day for all students.

Back to School Nights are scheduled throughout the first few weeks of school from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The events are for parents only. The Back to School Nights are scheduled for Aug. 25 for junior kindergarten and kindergarten, Aug. 27 for first through fourth grades and Sept. 15 for fifth through eighth grades.

New developments

Salisbury Academy’s new developments for the 2015-2016 school year include the opening of a music conservatory and the expansion of the Project Green Space initiative that launched in March of 2015.

Headed by Dr. Dwayne Robertson, known to students and staff as Dr. Rob, the music conservatory will offer lessons in piano, beginning voice and saxophone. Lessons are open to both Salisbury Academy students and students of the larger community, and will be offered after school for students, and during school hours for adults, home-schooled children, and college students.

Since launching its Project Green Space initiative in March, Salisbury Academy has continued to develop as an environmentally friendly facility and as a school which develops conservation-minded students. Salisbury Academy continues to progress towards its North Carolina Green Schools certification, and this year will partner with N.C. State University’s College of Design to develop a campus plan for nature-based enhancements to the school.

Additional learning opportunities, traditions, athletics and after-school care

Salisbury Academy offers weekly enhancement classes including World Language instruction in French, Latin and Spanish; music, both as part of the regular curricula and in the form of private lessons at the school’s music conservatory; physical education and art.

Students at school benefit from experiential learning through frequent field trips throughout the year. Some destinations include local farms, parks and theaters; local and state museums; Camp Thunderbird and Camp Cheerio; The Biltmore Estate; Williamsburg, Virginia; Charleston, South Carolina, Washington, D.C. and the North Carolina coast.

Student activities at Salisbury Academy include Battle of the Books, Math Counts: Math Competition Team, N.C. Ecological Studies and Duke University Talent Identification Program Talent Search. The school also offers outreach programs with Abundant Living, Hanford Dole Elementary School, Rowan Vocational Opportunities, Trinity Oaks, Faithful Friends, Rowan Helping Ministries, Food for Thought and supporting soldiers who are overseas.

School traditions include weekly chapel assemblies where guest speakers offer inspirational messages on a different core virtue each month, Grandpersons’ Day, KidsBloom Festival 5K and Fun Run, Golf Tournament, Bring A Friend to School Day, holiday class parties, field day, Christmas program, pep rallies and much more.

Athletics are an integral part of Salisbury Academy. Students in the fourth through eighth grades may participate in the competitive athletic program. Fall sports include junior varsity and varsity volleyball, cross country, junior varsity and varsity co-ed soccer and tennis. Winter sports include pep squad, junior varsity and varsity cheerleading, swimming and junior varsity and varsity girls and boys basketball. Spring sports include girls soccer, baseball, golf and track.

Salisbury Academy offers after-school care (ASK) and afternoon clubs for students each week during the school year. Elizabeth Bergsma will serve as the lower school ASK director and Amy Wimmer will serve as the middle school ASK director. Bergsma has a bachelor’s in economics from Davidson College and has worked at the school since 2011 in the front office, as a substitute and teacher assistant and with the ASK program. Wimmer earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Virginia. Her two children, Alex and Elle, are both Salisbury Academy graduates.

The Academy will have its first day this year on Aug. 19. The school is continuing to accept students for enrollment in classes that are not yet full. Tuition assistance is available for families who qualify. For more information about Salisbury Academy, visit www.SalisburyAcademy.org.