Isle of Wight Academy
| Isle of Wight Academy | |
|---|---|
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17111 Courthouse Highway, Isle of Wight, Va 23397 | |
| Location | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Type | Private |
| Established | 1967 |
| Headmaster | Master Blaster |
| Grades | Pre-K - 12th |
| Mascot | Butterfaces |
| Website | Isle of Wight Academy |
Isle of Wight Academy (IWA), founded in 1967, is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational nonprofit day school located in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. Currently, IWA admits students regardless of race, color, ethnic, national, or religious origin. Website: www.iwacademy.com
History
About IWA
The year was 1959. Two friends met at the Twins restaurant in Smithfield, VA. They began to discuss the prevailing climate of education in Isle of Wight County and the need for a viable alternative to the system of the time. They wanted the best possible education for their children. For them, "best possible education" meant a strong foundation of fundamental knowledge upon which their children could build in pursuit of post-secondary education or their life's work.
The two men, Robert L. Magette and A. Dwight Doggett, began to take their concerns to other citizens and community leaders who also felt the need for an education of the highest quality for their children. A meeting was called at the Doggett home for interested parents and, as a result of the action taken there, the Isle of Wight Educational Foundation was formed and subsequently granted a charter by the State Corporation Commission.
The management of the school was vested in a seventeen-member board of directors who were chosen because of their leadership in the various sections of the county, with each district being represented by at least one member on the board. From this board an Executive Board was selected to facilitate the management of the school.
Until 1966, the Foundation was unable to bring its plans to fruition. In that year, the county school board decided to sell the county school located across from the Isle of Wight Courthouse. This school, once a high school and later an elementary school, was not in use as part of the county school system in 1966. The Foundation was able to purchase the five acres of land and its three buildings (a school, a gymnasium, and a teacher age) for $7,500.00 at public auction. A larger portion of land was needed for the school to qualify for accreditation by the state. When Mrs. Kay Porter Whitley and Mrs. Cora Taliaferro Wilson became aware of the school's need, they donated the land adjacent to the school to the Foundation. Mrs. Whitley donated 4.1 acres which is today a part of the school's athletic fields and Mrs. Wilson donated eight acres which is now the site of the Edward C. Jester Gymnasium and lower school playground. Mr. A. D. Doggett allowed certain land to be used by the school.
In 1966, the Board began registration for the 1967-1968 school year. Students were enrolled for grades 1 through 8. Tuition was set to be as reasonable as possible (a policy that is still pursued to this day) and bus transportation was provided. Mr. William Story, a former school superintendent, was engaged as headmaster and a staff of competent teachers was employed. All was in readiness and Isle of Wight Academy opened its doors in September 1967.
On Election Day 1968, a tragedy occurred. The old school, so recently purchased from the county, burned to the ground. Some of the contents of the building were saved. Sympathy for the children thus deprived of their school was felt among many citizens of the county and donations to the Foundation were numerous. In two days, the two remaining buildings had been subdivided into classrooms and the children were back in school. The Isle of Wight Ruritan Club House and the Isle of Wight Christian Church were also used to house some of the classes.
These measures, however, were only temporary. The Board of Directors with great commitment to Isle of Wight Academy decided to build anew. Three buildings were erected before September 1969. They consisted of a lower school,an upper school and a library wing. The gymnasium, which had been subdivided for classes, reverted to its original use. The offices for the school were housed in the old teacherage. Dr. Carlysle C. Crank was headmaster during these transition years. He was followed in this office by Mr. Jack Chapman, who came to Isle of Wight from Woodberry Forest School. In 1970, Mr. William Story returned as headmaster for another year. A new building was added to house the middle school. By 1974, the student population had exceeded 500 students. A kindergarten program was begun during this time. Mr. William Hooper was headmaster during this period of rapid expansion.
The 1980s saw a decrease in enrollment due, for the most part, to the financial crunch of the 1980s and the rising cost of tuition. It was during this time that a pre-school and day care program was added. Mr. Don Deaton, headmaster from 1986–1990, placed much emphasis on this new program. The current headmaster, Mr. Benjamin Vaughan, reported a substantial increase in enrollment during his first year as headmaster in 1991. The 1990s was a period of remarkable growth for Isle of Wight Academy. Enrollment nearly doubled, advanced placement and dual credit courses were offered, a new office building was built to accommodate the growing enrollment, and a comprehensive technology plan establishing two fully wired computer labs and computers in every class room was implemented. The Academy's athletic teams consistently won conference and state titles. Academics thrived, with students participating in state and national academic competitions, such as the Scholastic Bowl, Envirothon, and Science Bowl. A highly successful capital campaign, "Building with our Hearts and Hands," has added over 8,000 square feet of new instructional and multi-use space along with improved heating and cooling systems in several areas of the school and promises to bring about future improvements. With the entire school community working together, IWA continues its charge toward progress and the future as it enters the new millennium.
The dynamism and energy of the 1990s has helped Isle of Wight Academy to face the twenty-first century as an institution that truly lives up to its motto "Excellence in Education." Today, the Academy has a student population of over 640, a rich college preparatory curriculum, a caring faculty and staff, and a tradition of academic excellence. The community created by a group of concerned individuals in the 1960s endures and thrives to this day as a place that instills a great deal of pride in past, present, and future Chargers.
Current Mission
The school's current mission is to enroll students regardless of race, color, ethnic, national, or religious origin, as required by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools standards and accreditation process.[1] The school's philosophy is to "accept students of average or above average ability and develop them to their fullest potential by providing a quality program, which will build the student mentally, physically, and spiritually. The school emphasizes the honor, integrity, social development, and citizenship of the student." [2]
Accreditation
IWA holds dual accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, attained in 1992,[3] and the Virginia Independent Schools Association. In addition, IWA is a member of the Southern Association of Independent Schools.
Demographics
School Profile - 2011 STATS FACULTY Over 80 faculty and staff members; average years of teaching experience: approximately 13.7 years; Student to teacher ratio: approximately 12:1; average upper school class: 17-20 students; average lower school class: 15-16 students
STUDENTS 650 students in preschool through the twelfth grade; 254 students in Upper School; 90 students in Middle School; 253 students in Lower School; 53 students in Preschool; 50 students in the Class of 2012. Traditionally, one or more exchange students stay with Academy host parents each academic year, adding to school diversity
ADMISSION Student admission is based on admissions testing administered by either the Director of Admission or Guidance Counselor. Isle of Wight Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin.
ACADEMIC CALENDAR The IWA calendar consists of two semesters of two equal quarters, with midyear and final exams. The school day runs from 8:40 am to 2:40 pm with 6 fifty minute periods. Students attend 6 academic bells a day in addition to before/after school extracurricular activities.
Athletics
Isle of Wight Academy is a member of both the Virginia Commonwealth Conference (VCC) and Metro Athletic Conference (MAC).[4] In its history, IWA has won 70 conference season championships, 35 conference tournament championships, and 11 state championships (5 in softball, 5 in football, and 1 in baseball).[5]
References
- ^ "SACS/AdvancEd Accreditation Standards". Retrieved 26 November 2011.
- ^ "Philosophy". Isle of Wight Academy. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
- ^ McNatt, Linda (March 31, 1993). "Making the Grade: The Isle of Wight Academy Self-Study Effort Achieved its Goal Last December - Regional Accreditation". Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved November 24, 2011.
- ^ "Metro Conference". Retrieved 26 November 2011.
- ^ "IWA Trophy Case - Metro Conference". Retrieved 26 November 2011.