A Year at The Academy
By Jody Steele
Featured above: Isabelle Rogers, Second Grader, and Charlotte Rogers, Toddler Class.
As the school year wraps up, it is heartening to know that The Academy at Ocean Reef has had an extraordinary year. The enrollment of students expanded for a number of reasons. Children of Member grandparents and parents were suddenly without a traditional in-person school environment and Zoom became a new way of life in many homes. Applicant for admission began to rise early in the Spring of 2020 as families discovered that an accredited school with a strong academic curriculum and after school sports program was an option.
Planning for all…
Jerome Murphy, Head of School, along with his capable faculty and staff, shifted into an active team ready to welcome new students and families for the 2020-2021 Season at The Reef. A well thought out back-to-school plan was designed and included numerous safety protocols and precautions intended to help sustain a yearlong appropriate educational program for all students. A new toddler program serving children aged 2-3 was added to meet the needs of incoming families. Class enrollment was intentionally limited across all grade levels, leading to waiting lists in many grades throughout the school year.
A welcome to new students…
With all in place, The Academy eagerly greeted over 20 new families and 40+ new students in September of 2020. The excitement was “over the top” as happy children streamed into the building met by teachers ready and eager to teach in person. Every family has their own story and there are many ready to share their joy of what happened next…one of these experiences follows…with more to come.
Arriving from Boston…
The Rogers family (Alex and Alexis) had first visited Ocean Reef in January 2019 for a business conference. They immediately “fell in love” with The Reef during a chilly and rainy week and soon purchased a home. Not knowing what was ahead, they planned to spend vacation weeks and holidays with their three children at The Reef. After their oldest was enrolled in virtual learning classes in Boston (in pretty much a closed down city), they made the big move. They are now year-round residents and are ever grateful to The Academy for creating a “new normal” family experience for them in the midst of a very tough time. Isabelle, in second grade, has enjoyed developing skills in golf, tennis, and pickleball and making friends of all ages. Alexis shared that the academic program and the teachers are superb and Friday afternoons at the beach with other Academy families has been fun for the entire family. Summer camp at The Reef as well as The Academy’s new Toddler Summer University are all part of their upcoming plan while Alex Rogers continues to work remotely for the time being.
Celebrations for now…
Jerome Murphy and staff are bursting with pride as the school year comes to a close. Plans are already under way to prepare for two special end-of-year events, Field Day and Closing Ceremonies. As Mr. Murphy notes, “Validating and celebrating our children’s achievements at the end of the school year is such an important part of The Academy experience. Our children, parents, and staff have gone through a lot this year, and we look forward to celebrating our accomplishments together in June…IN-PERSON.”
The Academy at Ocean Reef is a coeducational independent school for Toddlers – Grade 8 serving the entire Ocean Reef community. For more information on enrollment in the Summer Toddler Program or 2021-2022 school year, call 305-367-2409 or visit oracademy.org.