Nansemond-Suffolk Academy

3373 Pruden Boulevard

Suffolk, VA 23434

29 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 10, 2024

We love this school with the majority of our experience being with the Harbour View Campus. The classroom size and instruction has allowed our children to thrive and grow while also receiving additional support in areas that are more challenging for them. They look forward to going to school every day and we attribute that to the school environment that feels like an extension of our family. All staff and teachers get to know teachers whether they are directly teaching them or not.The opportunities to experience activities and events at both campuses increases the community and culture experience. Our children particularly love the chances they’ve had to interact with older students and the learning partnerships that are created. Highly recommend!! If cost is a concern, they do have opportunities for financial support that would be worth exploring.
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2024

My son has been attending the Harbourview campus for the last two years and he loves coming to school to learn everyday. This school has made him passionate about reading books, exploring different sports, and has even peaked his interest in learning basic math already in pre-K. The teachers and classrooms are very well organized and provide a great learning environment for kids to explore their creativity. The teachers and administration are very personable. They are excellent about communicating what goes on in the classrooms on a daily basis by posting pictures on the protected social media page, sending flyers home every week about school events, and keeping parents up to date on the learning objectives and curriculum. The school provides a lot of opportunities to let parents be hands on with their child’s education. The teachers and administrators generally care about how your child is performing both at school and what goes on in their home and family life.This school has been such an integral part in my son’s development in his early education. The before and after school programs and the summer program has offered my family lots of flexibility for work schedules and peace of mind knowing that our child is being well taken care of during the day.It is definitely an investment sending our child to private school. For our family, I know we made the right decision by seeing how happy my son is to go to school everyday, seeing how excited he is to learn, and building a sense of community with his school.
Submitted by parent on June 21, 2023

This school, like any school, is what you make of it. It offers academic programs for the extremely academically gifted students and those who are regular students. My daughter moved to the school in 2nd grade from a Catholic school that had not yet taught her to read. She was behind when she started at NSA. She has been fostered and nurtured by her teachers. She just finished her 9th grade year and is at the very top of her class academically. She loves her teachers and her group of peers. Middle school teaches focus and how to study. High school takes off immediately with the academics. If your kid puts the work in and makes good decisions, the school will help them work towards their dreams. Coming from a public school, I have never seen a more devoted upper school guidance counselor and college counseling group.
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2023

It’s no secret that many reviews that paint a negative pictures come from tgose who have bad experiences. But I feel this school does to much to try to cover up what actually goes on there. From the racisim to bullying. The administration and teachers turn blind eyes. It’s also no secret that there is a group out there that believe these negative reviews are nothing more than the ranting of a few disgruntled parents, and thus should be dismissed as such and ignored but they aim to recruit those of color and then allow our children to be mistreated, there safety is of no concern (there was several threats of school schooyings and the child still walks the hall today). When you try to pull your child for safety concerns they still hold ypu to the contract and even when paid they refuse to give your child the items they are obligated to such as yearbook, shirts, etc.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2023

NSA is one of those places that looks good on the outside but is unorganized and chaotic behind closed doors. This school lacks quality administrators, educators, and accountability for their actions. NSA does not truly care about your child…. they only care about upholding a false image at the end of the day.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2023

I was happy that we were fortunate enough to send our kids here after being stationed in Norfolk, however, my middle schooler decided to leave after her first year and go to public school (a first for her) due to the bullying, favoritism, and safety concerns she had seen that had gone unaddressed. From the bigotry to the racism that the kids display that comes off as a joke to them but is red flags for those of the communities that will cause them issues as they go through life. My son elementary stayed for another year but we had to pull him abruptly due to increasing concerns and challenges. I am not sure what the issue is here as we are not natives but it seems that the school only cares about the money, they do what they can to try to make things look good on the outside but the children there are really not getting the social-emotional support they need. Bullying and exclusion are a big issue starting from elementary school on up and they don't take safety seriously. From not taking action on physical contact to only sending an email when a whole active shooter list was found.
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2022

I was initially very proud to send my daughter here, however after 5 years of increasing concerns and challenges, I FINALLY decided to listen to what I as feeling and made a change. The primary issues stem from the fact that this is a legacy school where last names and money matter most. Favoritism is rampant and blatant. Bullying and exclusion by these “special” students IS NOT addressed. In short, if you’re not alumni, your child will not matter much at NSA.I’m not able to recommend. The staff is quite professional and does a fine job of putting on a great show. The overall presentation and environment is very polished which allows things to appear better than they are, however there are many issues underneath the surface. In summary, you don’t always get what you pay for, so my if you’re looking for a good private school, education and environment for your children —– keep looking.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2022

The administration has no integrity and fails to live up to the school’s “Honor above all” motto.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2021

My son left the public schools in Chesapeake, Virginia for a variety of reasons. We are so glad that he was able to attend the upper school at Nansemond Suffolk Academy. He has enjoyed the multiple sports, small class sizes, and the help with college prep and college admissions assistance. The ratio has been 12:1 in all of his classes. The lunchroom is not overcrowded, and food is often cooked to order. Everything about this school is reasonably priced. When my son went to public school the lunch schedule started at 10:30am and ended at 1:00pm due to crowding issues. This is before COVID-19. Children with disruptive behavioral issues are shown the door. The school requires students to participate in extra-curricular activities which is good for development and college transcripts. The coaches are fair and reasonable. There are no "drill sergeants", and the students are not degraded. There is a simple dress code and honor code. The class scheduling is very progressive and unique. Please ask the admissions director about the way they schedule classes. It is a wonderful idea. It has an open campus setting, and kids develop a sense of independence. Each student needs to bring their own laptop. There are no thieves in the school, no hallway brawls, and each student wants to be there. I think the negative reviews are from unhappy people or they are fake. Every administrator, counselor, and teacher communicates the status of their students. Call them and take a tour during the school day.
Submitted by parent on December 17, 2019

AWFUL!!! Bullying is a huge problem that they choose not to deal with! "HONOR ABOVE ALL"
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2019

2 out of 10. A 1 for the teachers who care and are stuck because they need a job and a 2 for the good education.
Submitted by other on April 29, 2019

My overall experience is mediocre. I will say do your research on the school and its administration. This school clearly lacks diversity as you can see by the demographics and does not necessarily treat everyone equal. Also, I find that this school is all about who you know and if you're in the know you are fine, but if you are not in the "clique" you are not treated with the most upmost respect. Turnover rate is not at its best. I have witnessed a few kids leave mid year to attend another school. I do believe this school has potential, but they need to be consistent across the board and make immediate change for the better.
Submitted by other on April 16, 2019

Overall my experience was terrible. I was lied to and insulted by teachers and administration, falsely accused of various things, and they attempted to rob me through coercion to support some "annual fund" thing. I'd like to mention that I switched over to a public school mid-year and I like it a lot better. I am more independent, doing better in school, and I don't feel like killing myself every morning when I wake up. I'm not really someone who cares about school, but from an educational perspective public school is way better. The work is easier, teachers and students are friendlier, there are more classes, offered, and they have better resources in general
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2017

Do yourself and your child/children a favor and research the top private schools in Virginia to see where NSA ranks among others in the Hampton Roads area.
Submitted by parent on November 27, 2015

We have the children currently enrolled. Our oldest, a junior, has been a student since pre-k 4. Honestly can say there is no school we would rather send them to.Top notch education. Safe. Family atmosphere.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2014

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy is truly dedicated to developing each student to be the best he or she can be. Through academics, athletics and arts, every single child has the ability to excel in their own individual way. Teachers care about the students and take the time to make sure each child is receiving the best education possible. From PreK-12 grade students are developed in a warm loving environment where they can feel free to explore new opportunities and be who they want to be. Each child has the opportunity to play a sport, participate in the school drama, try an elective course or volunteer for a club or organization - the possibilities are endless. I choose to send my child here because of the opportunities my child will be afforded in a safe, loving environment. We are proud to be NSA Saints!
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2014

Honor above all is Nansemond-Suffolk Academy's motto and it is an ideal in which my family believes. The faculty and staff are committed to providing an excellent, well rounded college preparatory education for our children. My husband and I are proud our children are members of the Saints family and consider sending our children to NSA an extremely worthy investment.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2014

Nansemond Suffolk Academy is one of the best Independent schools in the area. They have a mission statement that reads, "Honor above all." I firmly believe that they strive to achieve this. It is a well balanced school with Academics geared toward college preparation. They offer a wide variety of sports and some are offered even at the JJV level. I also am very impressed with the arts and marching band. Not many schools of this size offer so much and do it so well for the price. I have 2 children in upper school that have been attending since the 7th and 8th grade. They have been greatly supported and guided by the teachers and administrative staff. They also have a very strong Alumni base and almost all of the students, faculty, and board give to the Annual Fund. That says that they believe in their own school! I am very pleased.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2014

I am an alumna of the school, and more recently, I am a new NSA parent. I was so pleased to come back to the place that had such a positive impact on my education and childhood to find that NSA is still such a community-oriented, education-centered, family. While this aspect has remained the same since my time at NSA, everything else has greatly changed! The campus has expanded to include a middle school building, there are extra practice fields on the back 40 acres of the campus, and a new media center, just to name a few. In addition, students are doing great things in the classrooms - 3D printing/program design in the middle school, one-on-one iPad work in the Pre-K, and even an economics class in the Upper School, whose year end project centers around the popular "Shark Tank" show. I had a chance to sit in on this class and was amazed at what the students could invent as well as support with real life analysis techniques used in the business world. It's amazing to see what students can do who are charged by their teachers to strive for excellence! I'm so glad to have my children here and can't wait to see what NSA offers in the future!!
Submitted by other on September 29, 2014

I have never felt more welcomed to a school in my entire life. Every single school has its flaws and it is always hard to remember when reading reviews that most everyone who is writing a review has had a poor experience. I hope my review helps those that are looking into private schools in the area. I truly believe that NSA is a top school with amazing teachers and strives everyday to bring in new educational experiences to their students. They partner with many outside vendors and colleges to broaden the scope of how child learn in todays society. The school allows the faculty to step outside of the box with how they teach. Where else can you go and use professional engineering software to create 3D models of fish in a science class, and then print it off on a 3D printer? NSA's middle schoolers can say they have. If you are looking for an intellectual and stimulating learning experience, look no further.