In 1958, a group of parents had the idea to found an independent school in our community. On February 13, 1959, the public was invited to an informational meeting at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Newport News. A committee, meeting at the home of Mr. William H. Ferguson, Jr. in Newport News, decided to proceed with the school. Mrs. Pauline Trimpi, who would later become the first secretary of the Board of Trustees, consulted with her neighbor, the Newport News tax assessor, on trends in property development. Spreading out a map on her kitchen table, they predicted that a future central site on the Peninsula would be near the proposed Interstate 64 at Oyster Point. Within six months, a 72-acre parcel of land was purchased—with the help of Mrs. Woodroof Hiden Hussey—for $500 an acre, and the school was built.

Dr. Russell Buxton was the first chairman of the Board of Trustees. The first headmaster, Mr. Robert Herzog, was the former Assistant Head at Norfolk Academy. Initial funding consisted of $30,000 raised from patron subscriptions, and a $75,000 loan from First National Bank, which was guaranteed by trustees individually. Parents, trustees, and friends donated books for the library, trees for the landscaping, coat racks, and boardwalks extending from the school building to the dirt parking area.

The first graduating class of six students were awarded their diplomas by Congressman Tom Downing on June 6, 1961.

The multipurpose room was built in 1962, along with three faculty houses on Academy Lane. In 1964, a fourth faculty house was built. In 1965 the library was expanded to accommodate 18,000 books. The following year, the tennis courts were resurfaced and art, music, drama, and the school newspaper were added.

The school earned accreditation by the Virginia Board of Education in 1971, and enrollment grew to 319 by 1972. HRA rented space in the Jewish Community Center for physical education classes until the first gym, now known as the Joseph Carpenter Gym, was completed in 1973. Enrollment passed 400 in the fall of 1974, but then began to decrease. In 1973, financial gifts were provided for the completion of the library and three athletic fields. In 1974, the parking lot was paved for the first time. The Advancement Office was established in 1976, and an endowment fund was established in 1977. In 1979, a gift of $60,000 for the tennis courts was announced. By that year, enrollment had dropped to 343, and a commission was appointed to study ways to improve the school’s image and recruitment.

In 1979, A Middle School was established under the direction of Larry Cunningham. Enrollment reached 396 in 1980.

In 1980, Martz and Lundy were retained as fundraising consultants, and in June of 1981, the trustees established a goal of $750,000 for the Silver Anniversary Campaign. The Parent’s Association was established in the fall of that year, and a business manager was hired. In May 1983, the campaign met its goal in gifts and pledges, and any excess was designated for the purchase of computers. Enrollment in September of 1983 stood at 414.

In February of 1984, Nancy Davis established the school’s parent volunteer program. In March, the contractor of the $260,000 administration wing was selected; and in December, the Apple computer lab was equipped.

The first Grandparent’s Day was held in 1985. The Costa Rica exchange program and the Navigator Club were also established. Plans were made to build an auditorium, with the announcement of an anonymous gift of $250,000.

In 1987, the state announced plans to purchase HRA property to allow improvements to Oyster Point Road, and in 1989, the auditorium construction began with a campaign total of $1,018,000.

The trustees launched the New Wing campaign in 1990, and the $1 million state-of-the-art Arts and Sciences wing was completed in time for the opening of the school year in September of 1992.

Planning for a library and new Upper School began in 1995 under the “A Future Based on Excellence” campaign. Lights on the football field were installed that same year. The Phillips Commons and the library and classroom wing of the Upper School opened during the 1997-1998 school year. In the summer of 1998, the former library was converted into the Lecture Hall along with the addition of the adjacent kitchen and two music rooms. In 1999, the first Day of Caring was held.

The parking lot was expanded in 2003 followed by a track resurfacing in 2004. In December, the Charles R. Spencer, Jr. Gymnasium was dedicated. Three of the four faculty houses were demolished. The fourth house still stands and is the current home of The Advancement Office.

In 2005, Hampton Roads Country Day School approached HRA about renting space on the campus for a newly-formed school consisting of grades PK-5. The 1959 Wing was renovated to accommodate the Middle School which allowed HRCDS to take over the former Middle School.

Bleachers and a press box at the football field were put into service for the 2005-06 school year under a project driven by the Navigator Club and the Parents Association. Enrollment reached a record high of 538 in 2006–679 counting HRCDS.

In 2008, HRCDS merged with HRA to become a Pre-K-12 school. A new baseball field was constructed and opened in the spring of that same year, and the old baseball field became home to the softball team.

The first day of school, August 28, 2009, kicked off the 50th year of HRA.

On January 7, 2020, the new dining fall and Lower School wing were officially opened for use! The new dining hall seats 400 students, teachers and faculty and features a professional kitchen. This exciting addition also includes a hydroponics lab where students can grow their own food that connects the dining hall to the Lower School wing.

Ready to experience the Hampton Roads Academy difference? If you have a question that you do not see answered, contact our Office of Admissions. A member of our team will contact you shortly.