Newbury Academy

Newbury Academy is a virtual school, an alternative private high school serving students in grades 9-12, still based in the area of Dumont, New Jersey, but now also serving the Brick Township, New Jersey area. Since 2008, all classes are conducted online, with teachers making weekly visits to the students' homes.

History and profile

The school was created to provide a safe, attentive environment for students who experience difficulties in traditional school settings. It was founded in 2001 by faculty member Jane E. McKinley, daughter of Graham C. Newbury and Jane Cunningham Newbury, for whom the school was named. Classes at Newbury Academy are based on New Jersey state core curriculum, and are limited to a maximum class size of three. The school caters to individual student needs. All students are accepted, including those with neurological disorders, school phobia, attention deficit disorder, mild autism, or various learning disabilities. The education at Newbury Academy includes regular excursions to historical sites and other local areas of interest. Classes were held at 344 Washington Avenue in Dumont until the end of the 2007-08 academic year. Since September 2008, all classes are conducted online.

Mission statement

Newbury Academy is dedicated to freeing the high school student from frustration and failure, and helping each student set a course for independence, accomplishment of skills and self-determination; where learning is an adventure.

Faculty

The teachers at Newbury Academy are experienced, trained teachers, and meet all requirements to teach their courses in the state of New Jersey. Full-time teachers include:

• Mrs. Dori Williams has been teaching in New Jersey since 1995 in a number of different capacities. She is serving as the director of the school and handles all administrative procedures. She teaches Physics, Health and Digital Photography and facilitates the Spanish and Japanese independent studies.
• Mrs. McKinley started teaching in 1965 and has since helped nurture the education of thousands of students, especially those with learning disabilities. She teaches English and French.
• Mr. McKinley recently received national honors, having scored in the highest 15% of all-time for examinees of the Praxis test for secondary social studies teachers. He teaches US History and Algebra.

Part-time teachers:

• Ms. Carter (music) is a critically acclaimed musician who has played in Carnegie Hall^[1]. She teaches piano and flute and can help those interested with voice lessons.
• Ms. Gribbon (art) is a textile artist who has been commissioned for numerous murals and has had work displayed in several galleries.

Additional information

• The first graduating class was in 2005. Of the graduates, two went on to study at Rutgers University, one completed his assistant pharmacist certification and has been employed by a local pharmacy, and another became a teaching assistant at Newbury Academy.
• In May 2006, Newbury Academy accepted its first student granted with out-of-district placement. Tuition is paid by the sending school district.

References

External links

• Newbury Academy
• families.com
• Data for Newbury Academy, National Center for Education Statistics