Chelsea Academy

The Board of Directors has adopted Domine, ut videam as the school’s motto. These words from the Gospel of St. Luke – Lord, that I may see – are both a prayer and a reminder of what lies at the heart of education. The concreteness and richness of the phrase makes it perfectly suited for both younger and older students. We owe a special thanks to Prof. Mark Clark for his inspirational and expert help in selecting this motto.

In addition, the Board has decided to hire Petrine Construction for the build-out of the east wing (second floor) of the Human Life International (HLI) building. Petrine has a fine reputation and over twenty years of experience in commercial and residential construction in the Front Royal area. It is also the company that built HLI. We are pleased that Petrine owner Frank O’Reilly has agreed to take on this project.

Several people have inquired about the possibility of single-sex classes at Chelsea Academy. This is an issue that the Board has discussed and will likely revisit in the coming years. Traditional educational practices, as well as the most current research on brain development, point to the benefits of single-sex instruction for both boys and girls, and there are good contemporary school models – both single sex and co-institutional – that demonstrate the advantages of this approach. At the moment, separating boys and girls in the classroom is not feasible financially for Chelsea Academy, as it depends on enrollment numbers that are well beyond our early projections and goals. Yet, regardless of our enrollment, we are committed to creating opportunities for boys and girls to learn and to socialize both together and separately.

I have also been asked about admissions in recent weeks. The five-step process (outlined on our website) is meant to benefit the school, families, and students. The two-page application gives the school basic information about applicants and their families. The academic background and readiness of an applicant is determined by the grade reports and teacher recommendation in addition to the admissions test. This short (forty-minute) test is important for admissions and proper grade placement because the results can be compared against national norms. Finally, the meetings with parents and applicants provide an opportunity for the school and families to discuss goals, expectations, and other topics. The bottom line is that successful schools know their students and families, who are best served when they fully understand what to expect from a school. Our admissions process helps to ensure that the school is a good fit for students and that the school-family relationship gets off to the best possible start.

I know that tuition continues to be on the minds of many people. The tuition for Chelsea Academy reflects the public school spending per pupil in Warren County. Although not the least expensive private school option in the Front Royal area, Chelsea Academy falls considerably below the cost of at least two of the more established schools in the region. Comparatively, then, Chelsea Academy represents a great deal. I should also underline that we are committed to making the school as accessible as possible through a financial aid program designed to make up the difference between what a family can afford to pay and the actual cost of educating a student at the school.

Let me close with a suggestion for a New Year’s resolution: tell a friend about Chelsea Academy. The momentum is building on many fronts. It would be a shame if people missed out on the opportunity to be a part of this new school.

Sincerely,

Jonathan D. Brand

Headmaster
Chelsea Academy

Email: jbrand@chelseaacademy.org
Telephone: 540 635-0622