An excellent, international, K-12 private school in Prince George's County, MD: New Hope Academy

New Hope Academy is an academically strong private school, fully certified by the Maryland State Department of Education, which includes a four-year high school, grades K-8, and a fully licensed preschool program for ages 3-5 years. Located on an eight-acre campus in Prince George's county, MD (suburban Washington, D.C.), this spacious former public school houses a computer lab as well as high-end 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. We offer before- and after-school care, a summer day camp for elementary-aged students, and a variety of extra-curricular activities.

PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS:

Founded in 1990 by parents concerned with the education of the whole child - intellect, creativity, character, etc., New Hope Academy welcomes children of all faiths, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds. In contrast to public schools that have excluded any aspect of a spiritual dimension in education, we take an inclusive, international approach, and value attention to God, prayer, moral focus, and universal expressions of faith within the school; we believe that these are an important part of a child's development.

Religious instruction is not offered at New Hope Academy, but we have created an environment 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 universal to all faiths, promoting virtues such as responsibility, self-discipline, honesty, forgiveness, respect, kindness etc. New Hope faculty, staff, and students represent over 20 faiths and more than 35 nationalities. See our Statement on Faith, Devotions, and Traditions for a fuller explanation of this unique approach to supporting religiously diverse families in their children's development.

In addition to the emphasis on the cultivation of personal integrity, academic excellence and mastery of technical skills are promoted by careful attention to each child's creativity and innate desire to learn. Each child is given ample opportunity and resources to learn and to create. The school believes teachers need to be qualified not only based on knowledge of subject matter, but in ability to cultivate curiosity, interest, learning, and overall intellectual growth in students. (See section on teachers below.)

An important aspect of our program is to help 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 need to perceive themselves as existing in relationship with others and to understand that their actions have meaning and consequence.

CURRICULUM:

Our curricula include a wide variety of subjects: math, science, social studies, language arts, fine arts, physical education, music foreign language, computer studies, and others. We also offer optional classes in our after-school enrichment program in activities ranging from drama, dance, and science to sports and martial arts.

Hands-on experience facilitates deeper comprehension of a subject. Math manipulatives and science labs, for example, are utilized in all grades. Teachers encourage students to explore and to learn through the use of appropriate formats which include cooperative learning, self-discovery, and self-motivated learning. We promote a system of "mentoring" within the school where older children work with and assist younger children. This fosters the social development and learning of both older and younger students while building bonds of heart between them.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE:

We believe acquiring reading skills and being exposed to good literature are critical for success in learning. New Hope teaches a solid 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 very articulate and familiar with the written word.

Math is taught with manipulatives until the fourth grade. We have adopted the Saxon Math Program, which emphasizes constant review and practice of all concepts embedded within the program. Standardized tests show a high level of students' computational abilities school-wide.

Teachers often extend learning beyond the textbook by making 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.

New Hope's excellent academic record is exemplified by its performance on the SAT (Stanford Achievement Test), a national standardized test. Our students on every grade level are able to do academic work at a level significantly higher than students in the average American school, and the outperformance of Prince George's county public schools is even more dramatic.

TEACHERS:

Our teachers are selected not only for their experience and academic background, but also for their sensitivity to the needs of children in a changing and increasingly complex world. They 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. Reasonably sized classes of 20 children or less allow teachers to address differences in children's learning styles and to give them the individual attention they need.

PARENTS:

Critical to the success of New Hope Academy is the involvement of parents. Parents are viewed as the first educators and work closely with the teachers to ensure their child's academic success and personal development.

New Hope Academy has administered the Stanford Achievement Test each spring to all students in grades K-8 for the past five years, Our school-wide average has placed us in the top 10% nationwide of all the schools that elected to take the test. If you are interested in enrolling your child or in finding out more about New Hope, please come to our school tour led by principal Joy Morrow (most Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m.; please call to confirm). Our phone number is: 301-459-7311. We hope that you will consider joining us in this exciting educational project which is providing children with a foundation for realizing their fullest potential, for becoming people who can create a better world.

---

There shall be no discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the admission of children, in the employment of faculty, or in the administration of policies.

TUITION AND OTHER DETAILS: For information about test scores, subjects offered, enrollment, and other details, please see our school profile page. For more information about tuition, please see our tuition page.

HOURS: School Day: . . . 8:30 am - 3:30 pm (Children may arrive by 7:15 am) With Before- & After-Care: . . . 7:15 am - 6:00 pm After-Care Program: . . . 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm

---

Go to the main high school page.
Go to the Statement on Faith, Devotions, and Traditions.
Go to the "meet the teachers" pages.
Contact us.

HOME PROFILE HIGH SCHOOL PRESCHOOL DANCE / DRAMA CONTACT