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Our History | A Letter from the Director | Student Handbook General Information | Tuition | Programs | Daily Schedule | Storm Days Our History
Bedford Academy began in September of 1996 as an enriched Primary program with a maximum enrollment of 16 students. The original goal of the program was to provide these young students with a solid educational base during their first year of school. The parental demand for the Primary program was so significant that a second Primary class was created. Parents continued to express a desire for Bedford Academy to offer grades Primary to Six. The expansion of the program and building of the new school at 5 Brookshire Court, Bedford was a direct response to those many parental requests. Plans were made and put in motion with the hiring of an architect and contractor. The first sod was turned during the spring of 2000 and construction began with a target date of September 6th, 2000. From the beginning of the project there was tremendous interest on the part of parents wishing to enroll their children in Bedford's first private school as an educational option apart from the public school system. Nancy Wallace, founder and Director of Bedford Academy initiated an extensive staff selection process that yielded a superior teaching staff, which embraced the philosophy of an enriched education. The primary goal of the teaching staff was to create a learning climate that was safe, nurturing and challenging. Great attention was directed to ensure that there was a strong line of communication between the home and school. The foundation was set with the Academy mission statement, Empowerment Through Knowledge, as the guiding light for future growth. With the construction of its new South Wing classrooms and Academy Hall gymnasium in the fall of 2005, Bedford Academy once again entered another new and exciting stage. The junior high grades of Seven to Nine were introduced through a three year phase into the previous elementary school aged school population. At the center of this expansion was the implementation of the Academy Edge Program which provided each junior high student with a Dell laptop computer. The Academy building and grounds were transitioned into a wireless learning environment to allow the students immediate Internet hook up while on the school property. This initiative drew tremendous interest from parents who were seeking an educational experience for their child that featured use of the most current educational technology on the market. The renowned elementary and junior high French program was further enhanced with the creation of its own classroom space within the South Wing. The remaining classrooms in the new wing came to house the junior high classrooms. A courtyard space was created outside the building for the sole use of the junior high students to use during their recess and lunch hour periods. The Academy Hall gymnasium quickly became Halifax's premier site for youth basketball and home for the Bedford Academy Broncos. The formation of the intramural house program involved every Academy student in vigorous physical activity several days a week. The tremendous team spirit of the Argyle, Moray, Fife and Lanark houses resounded throughout the hallways of the Academy and gymnasium. The Band and Drama programs were able to evolve into a greater level of performance capability with the acquisition of portable staging. Such a structure allowed for more versatility and range. With the final completion of its building expansion Bedford Academy now stands poised to enhance the full delivery of all its programs. Providing each student with the opportunity to learn in a safe, nurturing environment where they are valued as individuals.
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© 2002-2003 Nancy Wallace, Bedford Academy. All rights reserved. |
[email protected] |
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