SALISBURY —  Salisbury Academy begins its 25th year with a continued commitment to engaging minds, building futures and nurturing the whole child. Recent resource and faculty additions complement the school’s innovative learning environment and further enhance a community environment where children are inspired to love learning.

Salisbury Academy provides experiential, child-centered education to a diverse student body of junior kindergarteners through eighth-graders. The co-educational, independent school is a member of the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools and the National Association of Independent Schools. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools.

Head of School Beverly Fowler will lead the faculty and staff in continuing to further the academy’s mission of developing lifelong learners and building upon a foundation of curriculum, community, character, and faith.

After breaking ground on an Outdoor Learning Space in May 2017, construction is under way and phase one of the space will be near completion for the start of the 2017-2018 school year. Salisbury Academy’s Outdoor Learning Space will provide an experiential environment that connects children with nature, encourages them to take risks and inspires students to investigate, explore, analyze and create. Features of the space will include learning gardens, outdoor classrooms, a dynamic mix of play spaces and a dry creek bed and bridge.

Further enhancing the resources for students, faculty and staff, Salisbury Academy adds a part-time guidance counselor and pediatric occupational therapist to its team. The addition of a guidance department will provide academic and emotional support to students and will serve as an additional avenue for staff development and parent support. As an additional resource for professional development, a part-time occupational therapist will provide insight to faculty through classroom observation and engaged discussion of teaching practices and approaches in today’s learning environment.

Salisbury Academy offers weekly enhancement classes including world language instruction; music, both as part of the regular curricula and in the form of private lessons at the school’s music conservatory; physical education and art. Students benefit from experiential learning through frequent field trips throughout the year. Some destinations include local farms, parks and theaters, local and state museums, Camp Thunderbird, the Biltmore Estate and the North Carolina coast, among others.

Student activities include robotics, Battle of the Books, the Envirothon, N.C. Ecological Studies and the Duke University Talent Identification Program. The school also offers outreach programs with Abundant Living, Rowan Vocational Opportunities, Trinity Oaks, Faithful Friends, Rowan Helping Ministries and a number of other local nonprofits.

School traditions include weekly chapel assemblies where guest speakers offer inspirational messages on a different core virtue each month, Grandpersons’ Day, an N.C. Heritage Day, the Bloom gala, Kidsbloom festival, holiday class parties, field day, a Christmas program, pep rallies and much more.

Athletics are an integral part of Salisbury Academy. Students in the fourth through eighth grades may participate in the competitive athletic program. Fall sports include junior varsity and varsity volleyball, cross country, junior varsity and varsity co-ed soccer and tennis. Winter sports include pep squad, junior varsity and varsity cheerleading and junior varsity and varsity girls and boys basketball. Spring sports include girls soccer, baseball, golf and track.

Salisbury Academy offers after-school care every week during the school year.

The academy’s first day will be Aug. 23. The school is accepting applications for the 2017-2018 school year for junior kindergarten through third grade, with limited space available in upper grades. For more information about Salisbury Academy visit www.SalisburyAcademy.org or call 704-636-3002.

Back to School Dates

New parent orientation: Aug. 17 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (parents only).

Fifth- and eighth-grade parent orientation: Aug. 21 at noon (parents only).

Family drop-in: Aug. 21 from 5 to 6 p.m.

First day of school: Aug. 23 (half day for all students).

Back to School Nights

Junior kindergarten and kindergarten: Aug. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. (parents only).

Grades one through four: Aug. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. (parents only).

Grades five through eight: Sept. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. (parents and students).