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- Denise Schmidt, Parent – Grade 7, Alumni – 2007 |
FAQ
Hampstead Academy offers programs for Nursery School through Grade 8 – students ages 3 - 15. 
In 2007 –2008 the school will continue to operate at full capacity with approximately 260 students, 200 attending Grades 1-8 and 60 attending pre-school.
In addition to being approved by the New Hampshire State Department of Education and Health and Human Services, Hampstead Academy is fully accredited by New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The school has active memberships in many professional organizations including The New England League of Middle Schools and the Independent Schools of Northern New England to name a few. Hampstead Academy was granted re-accreditation by NEASC in 2003.
Classroom teachers are degreed and certified. Most are working toward, or have already attained Masters' Degrees or higher. Additionally, most of our assistant teachers hold undergraduate or graduate degrees. Subject area teachers are highly qualified in their fields with undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degrees. As we seek to provide state-of-the-art programming for all of our students, the continuing education of our entire staff is an on-going essential component of Hampstead Academy's program.
Hampstead Academy's curriculum is designed to best serve the average to above average to gifted learner. Priority placement is granted to those already enrolled in the school. For potential candidates, a preliminary visit by parents and students is required. If the possibility for future placement exists, the process will continue with a careful review of previous school records, followed by an extended visit by the student. Depending on the grade level, students will be evaluated in their reading and math abilities. When a mutually beneficial "match" between the candidate and our program seems feasible, the applicant will be accepted into the program as space allows.
Generally, yes, but please be aware that we cannot always guarantee placement. Priority is given to those already enrolled and their siblings and "on time" registration is a must. Your child will be accepted if it is determined that the program is able to meet his/her needs and space is available.
Students are placed in appropriate programs based on previous school experience, recommendations from teachers, other involved educators, and interviews with parents and students themselves. Please note that within Grades 1 – 8, there are a variety of ways we organize our classes each year to meet the needs of our students. It will take 8 years to progress through 8 grades. A first grader may begin their 8 years in Grade 1 or a combination Grade 2/1 based upon enrollment, boy/girl ratios, group dynamic and recommendation. A second grader may progress to a straight grade 3 or a 4/3-combination classroom. Careful consideration is given each year to the optimum placement of each student. Classes are organized to reflect the needs of the child and the class as a whole. It is our goal to maintain 24 students per grade level 1 – 8. These 8 levels are divided into 12 groups allowing for our low student/teacher ratio.
The majority of our students reside within a radius of approximately 25 miles of the school, including more than 20 communities. However, as our reputation continues to grow, so also do inquiries and registrations from all across the United States via our website – www.hampsteadacademy.org.
The "whole" child comes to school, not simply the intellect. We view each child as an individual with varying degrees of intelligence in numerous areas - linguistic, logical, musical, spatial and interpersonal to name a few. Our focus is the maximization of each child's potential, while concurrently building an awareness of social responsibility and values. As well as addressing academic needs, we seek to foster physical, emotional and social growth, along with strength of character, as each child progresses along the developmental continuum.
Briefly, students need to be skilled in the basics of oral/written/visual communication, reading and mathematics, science and technology. Future workers must be able to think critically, logically and analytically. They must be skilled in technical reading and writing and know how to use information systems. They need to appreciate and enjoy art, music and drama, as well as be knowledgeable in history, geography and current events They need to know how to take care of their own physical and mental well being while developing concern for others. Additionally, they must acquire the training necessary to communicate in a second language. Hampstead Academy's curriculum and staff address these needs with expertise and competence, in a nurturing environment of caring and concern.
Because we know that children are gifted/talented in numerous ways, to varying degrees, and that they possess multiple intelligences, their needs and abilities are addressed and evaluated on a regular basis. Individualized programming provides exposure and training for diversity. Student’s progress at their own pace and an assortment of enrichment experiences is offered as part of our curriculum.
Formal Computer Education begins in Grade One. The students become familiar with a wide variety of software programs and learn word-processing and keyboarding in the early grades. They proceed through databases, file programs, spreadsheets and learn Basic programming at the upper levels. Students become adept in using Microsoft Word, Publisher, Power Point, and Excel as well as the Internet to research curriculum topics. The computer is basically used a tool to retrieve and sort information and enhance learning.
Students are formally evaluated on a trimester basis, including three parent conferences. Mid-term progress reports are also issued. Additional conferences may be arranged at any time throughout the year at the discretion of parent, teacher or student. Continuous communication among staff, parents, students and administration is strongly encouraged through the use of e-mail, telephone and newsletters.
"Respect others, including yourself. Respect property, including your own - at all times"
Hampstead Academy offers a variety of in-school and after-school sports activities. The program includes Basketball, Soccer, Cross-Country, Baseball, Fencing, Track, Swimming, Skiing, Volleyball, Fencing and Golf. With a full court gymnasium, Basketball, Baseball and Soccer are expanding and competitive games with local schools are now incorporated into the program. In all cases, cooperative team spirit and physical fitness are primary goals. The school is in the process of developing a play field on the property adjoining the school.
We are very involved in "Destination Imagination", an international competition that promotes creative/cooperative problem solving skills. Our students have consistently won Regional and State championships to proceed to World Finals nine times in the past thirteen years. Of particular pride, our teams received the "Renatra Fusca" award on seven occasions given for outstanding creativity. Most of our Upper school students were invited this year to participate in the John Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY) program based on exceptional mathematical and/or verbal reasoning abilities as measured by national achievement test scores of 97% and above. Additionally, our students consistently achieve high awards in Lego League, National Geographic competitions, NH Art Council, NH MathCounts, NH Math League, Spelling Bees and the NH Young Inventors Convention. Three times in the past few years, our students have been awarded the Robert Frost Poetry Contest for Rockingham County. We are most proud of our student’s good character.
National achievement test score results consistently prove that standards of academic excellence, individualized programming, low student/teacher ratios and emphasis on personal responsibility and strong character result in outstanding Stanford Achievement (SAT) scores. Our latest (Total Reading/Total Mathematics) percentiles are as follows: Grade 3, ( 87%/ 92%); Grade 4, (88%/88%); Grade 5, (87%/82%); Grade 6, (90%/84%); Grade 7 (92%/91%); Grade 8, (88%/84%) Gates MacGinite Reading Testing was given to students in Grades 1 & 2. Gates MacGinite scores are as follows: Grade 1 (87%) and Grade 2 (85%). Please note that we test and include all students. Matriculating students are accepted into prestigious private high schools such as Phillip's Exeter and Andover, St. Mark’s, New Hampton, St. Thomas, Bishop Brady, St. John's Prep, Derryfield, Brewster, Kimball Union, Tilton, Holderness, Concord Academy, Procter, Gould, Suffield, Governor’s, Brooks, Pingree, Central Catholic, Trinity, Westover, Bishop Guertin and Berwick, as well as advanced classes in public high schools.
A 5% discount is allowed for families with two or more children in the school. This deduction is applied for each additional student from within the same family. Your selected tuition payment plan allows for an additional discount.
Parent participation is encouraged via daily interaction, field trips and special events. Parents are invited to sign-up to volunteer during Orientation Day, which is held prior to the first day of school in the fall. The school has a very active Parent Teachers Association and Advisory Board.
Daycare is available for Hampstead Academy elementary students only. Hours: 7:30-8:00 AM/2:45-5:15 PM. Parents sign up for daycare during Orientation Day. Daycare is for those students who require routine care and is contracted for the year. Daycare information can be found on the website under "Parents and Students" – click "Forms".
Our new Hampstead Academy bus transports students on a daily basis from points in Windham, Londonderry and Salem. This bus is also used for field trips and sporting events. Safeway Transportation of Kingston, transports students from the Exeter, Statham, Hampton and Kingston areas. Bus transportation is contracted and billed by the trimester. Resident Hampstead students have access to public school bussing. Many of our students are transported by private vehicle. We strongly recommend the formation of car pools to minimize traffic and maximize time. Carpool lists are available at Orientation in the foyer of the main building. Bus information is on the website under "Parents and Students" – click "Forms".
Yes, presently there is an in-house scholarship fund available to worthy students who have attended Hampstead Academy for at least one year and who may be experiencing financial difficulties. Funds are awarded based on overall academic excellence and good character. Information regarding student loans at the elementary level is available in the office.
We have a full summer program for students of all ages. Information for the summer program can be found on the website under "Parents and Students".
Hampstead Academy is located on 320 East Road, Hampstead. For more information or questions please feel free to contact us. |
One need only attend a Hampstead Academy graduation ceremony to see the
influence that the school impacts on each and every student. A tribute, both personal
and individual, honoring each graduate provides the insight into the mission that the
school strives to achieve. The traits and characteristics verbalized in the tribute
are the result of the respectful atmosphere where peer and teacher/student relationships
