New Hope Academy

New Hope Academy, which includes New Hope International High School, is an academically-oriented K–12 private school, certified by the Maryland State Department of Education and federally (SEVIS) approved to enroll international F-1 students, with a fully licensed preschool program for ages 3–5 years.^[1][2] Located on an 8-acre (32,000 m²) campus in Prince George's County, MD (near Washington, D.C.), this former public school^[1] houses a computer lab as well as at least 3 computers in every classroom, a science lab, a math manipulative based program, a foreign-language studio, an art studio, a gymnasium and a professional quality dance studio. It also has before- and after-school care, a summer day camp for elementary-aged students, and extracurricular activities.

The school's approach to

Philosophy and goals

Founded in 1990, New Hope Academy accepts children of all faiths, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds.^[1] The school was founded by parents concerned with the education of the whole child - intellect, creativity, character, etc., who felt that the public school approach excluded any religious or spiritual dimension in education. The school attempts to include prayer, and moral focus in a way that it believes conforms to universal expressions of faith; the school community says it regards these as an important part of children's development.^[3]

Religion classes are not offered at New Hope Academy, but the school says an environment has been created that affirms religious values and supports parents in their efforts to raise moral children. Parents at New Hope have created a character education program that includes a theme of the week designed to be universal to all faiths, promoting virtues such as responsibility, self-discipline, honesty, forgiveness, respect, kindness, etc. There may be instances where a teacher "promotes" the viewpoint of a particular religion without making it sufficiently universal to all faiths (although they try otherwise), but the New Hope community is not so afraid of this occasionally happening that they decide never to talk about important issues relating to the religious dimensions of morality and ethics or of religious practices. Rather these are viewed in the context of appreciating various cultures^[3] and respecting races and religions.^[4] New Hope faculty, staff, and students represent over 20 faiths and more than 35 nationalities. The school has always been racially diverse also, but its initially majority white composition has evolved into a majority black composition because of the demographics of the area.

In addition to the emphasis on the cultivation of personal integrity, academic excellence and mastery of technical skills are sought. The school philosophy includes helping children see themselves not only as separate and unique individuals, but also as a part of a larger whole. From the family to the world level, children are encouraged to perceive themselves as existing in relationship with others and to understand that their actions have meaning and consequence.^[5]

Curriculum

The curricula include math, science, social studies, language arts, fine arts, physical education, music, foreign language, computer studies, and others. Optional classes in the after-school enrichment program are offered in activities ranging from drama, dance, and science to sports and martial arts.

The school believes that hands-on experience facilitates deeper comprehension of a subject. Math manipulatives and science labs, for example, are utilized in all grades.^[5] Teachers encourage students to explore and to learn through the use of appropriate formats which include cooperative learning, self-discovery, and self-motivated learning.

There is a system of "mentoring" within the school where older children work with and assist younger children, designed to foster the social development and learning of both older and younger students.^[5]

Academics

The school believes that acquiring reading skills and being exposed to good literature are critical for success in learning. It teaches a phonics-based reading program, beginning with phonemic awareness in preschool. Most students start to read in kindergarten and read classic novels by 4th and 5th grade. Students begin writing short stories in kindergarten and by third grade are usually articulate and familiar with writing.

Math is taught with manipulatives until the fourth grade. The school has adopted the Saxon Math Program, which emphasizes constant review and practice of all concepts embedded within the program. Students score well above average in every grade level on standardized tests.^[6]

Teachers often make use of projects, science experiments, hands-on learning, and monthly field trips. Students also participate in the Jason project, the National Geography Bee, and a school wide science fair each spring. In 2008, New Hope Academy students won laptop computers by placing first in the biomedical-themed game show competition at the annual technology youth summit sponsored by the Patriots Technology Training Center.^[7]

New Hope Academy students have a strong academic record of performance on the SAT (Stanford Achievement Test), a national standardized test. Their scores put the school in the top 10% nationally, outperforming Prince George's county public schools by a wide margin.^[6]

This academic performance may reflect in part the higher levels of education and affluence of the average family involved, but on the other hand the school tries to address fully the needs of students with learning disabilities, many of which went undiagnosed in the public schools from which those children came. The school integrates children with learning disabilities into the same classes with other students, including talented and gifted pupils.^[4]

Teachers are selected not only for their experience and academic background, but also for their sensitivity to the needs of children. They are expected to know when to challenge and when to support, when children needs to be encouraged to seek their own answers and when they need someone to direct them. There is a policy to make classes "reasonably sized" (21 children or less), which the school believes allows teachers to address differences in children's learning styles and to give them individual attention.^[5] The teachers are experienced; most have master's degrees, especially in the higher grades.^[8]

The school believes that involvement of parents is critical its success. Parents are viewed as the "first educators" and are encouraged to work closely with the teachers to support their child's academic success and personal development.^[5]

Religious affiliation

The religious affiliation of the founders of the school, 12 mothers from the same church - the Unification Church - who took on the ambitious project, is not a prominent issue or a source of concern in the day-to-day workings of the school, because it is not a church school and no religion classes are offered. Nevertheless, the Unification Church (and its founder Sun Myung Moon) is controversial. The school was set up using a "community of religions" model of allowing expression of faith instead of banning them. Most of the students and even most of the faculty are not Unification Church members.^[1] Rather they represent a variety of religious beliefs and practices. The school is legally independent of the Unification Church, governed by a board of directors set up by the founding mothers, which consists of people who have varying current relationships to the Unification Church as well as members of other religions.^[3][4]

See "School statement on faiths" in External links section below for more information.

Challenges

As with any institution, there have been problems to overcome. Because of parents addressing a variety of issues in the first few years after the school's founding, it survived, which would not have been the case otherwise.^[1] The aging building, a former public elementary school built in the 1940s, had a leaky roof until a second mortgage was taken out in 2003 to pay for $600,000 in renovations which included replacing the roof, various upgrades, automated library services, and a new science lab.^[2] Even so, not every physical aspect of the school was renovated, but the school as part of its mission to serve Prince George's County deliberately seeks to keep tuition costs low.^[9] Most classrooms, for example, are not air conditioned; on particularly hot days classes sometimes go to the large Multi-purpose room, which is air conditioned. Along with the advantages of a small school for academics and for community-building, New Hope Academy is at a disadvantage when it comes to resources such as sports teams, choirs, band and orchestra. The school partners with local organizations to provide such activities for students.

Enrollment

• Pre-School age 3-5: 35 students
• Elementary grades K-6: 90 students
• Middle School grades 7,8: 31 students
• High School grades 9-12: 45 students

Average class size: 14 students

SAT (Stanford Achievement Test) results

Spring 2008:

• Reading 78th percentile
• Math 81st percentile

High school requirements for diploma

New Hope International High School requirements for a diploma:

• English 4 credits
• Social Studies 3 credits
• Math 3 credits
• Foreign Language 2 credits
• Lab Science 2 credits
• Character Education 2 credits
• Health 1/2 credit
• Fine Arts 1 credit
• Physical Ed. 1/2 credit
• Technology 1/2 credit
• Elective 1½ credit

Total: 20 credits

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Dream school gives parents New Hope", by Nicole Barnes, Journal staff writer, Prince George's Journal, Feb. 25, 2000
2. ^ ^{a b} "Young researchers resume study at renovated lab", by Tyisha Manigo, New Carrollton Gazette, Feb. 12, 2004.
3. ^ ^{a b c} New Hope Academy: Statement on Faith, Devotions, and Traditions
4. ^ ^{a b c} "New Hope Academy offers value-based program", The Prince George's County Sentinal, by Claire Chapman, Sentinel Staff Writer, January 18, 1996.
5. ^ ^{a b c d e} New Hope Academy: SA K–12 private school in Prince George's County, MD (an introduction to the school)
6. ^ ^{a b} New Hope Academy: School Profile
7. ^ "Wonder of science on display at annual technology summit: Competitions, workshops and exhibitors plug youth in to potential careers", by Jonathan Stein, staff writer, The Gazette, May 1, 2008. See also New Hope Academy students win Patriots Technology Summit Challenge! and Patriots Technology Training Center.
8. ^ The Faculty of New Hope Academy: "Get to know the teachers"
9. ^ New Hope Academy: Tuition and Fees

External links

• New Hope Academy (school web site, main page)
• School statement on faiths (on school web site)
• School faculty (on school web site)
• School curriculum (on school web site)