Chelsea Academy

Almost midway through our second year, Chelsea Academy continues to flourish in ways too great and varied to contain in a brief letter, but I do hope this update conveys a bit of the vitality that characterizes Chelsea.

Two highlights of the first semester best capture the energy and adventurous spirit of Chelsea students. The first was our second annual Fall Hike. On October 9, students, faculty, and a few parents took on the challenge of hiking Old Rag Mountain, one of the most popular and spectacular day hikes in the northern Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains. It is also one of the most rigorous. Over seven-miles long, Old Rag trail begins with a long, steep stretch of switchbacks and ends with an even longer, gradual descent along an old fire road. But, for Chelsea students, the most appealing part of the hike was the middle: the craggy mountaintop that involves climbing through narrow passageways and over huge granite boulders to the peak. For all of us, young and old, the payoff was a stunning 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Given that every single person in our group completed the hike, we also felt a sense of individual and collective accomplishment by the end of the day.

A second highlight of the semester was our production of "The Jungle Book," a play based on the Rudyard Kipling stories. Over the course of a month, more than thirty students devoted themselves to this project, building and painting the set, learning their lines, and rehearsing after school. Each of the three shows sold out in advance, and each show provided a delightful and playful retelling of the tale about Mowgli. The many contributions from parents and faculty members - with everything from designing the set and painting the backdrop to making the costumes, selling tickets, and donating bamboo shoots - made the production a full community event.

Looking ahead to next school year, we anticipate increased enrollment with the addition of grade eleven and more students in grades six through ten. To accommodate this growth, we will add space in the wing of HLI that we currently occupy. This spring work will begin on converting the north side of the east wing ground floor into three additional classrooms, including a specially designed science lab.

In closing, please accept my best wishes for a Blessed Advent and Joyous Christmas season. We remain grateful for the many blessings that Chelsea has received, and your prayers and support are appreciated. St. Thomas More, our patron, pray for us.

Sincerely,

Jonathan D. Brand

Headmaster

Chelsea Academy

Front Royal, Virginia

www.chelseaacademy.org