Dear Parents of Future Riverhawks,

The goal of Cardinal Newman Academy is to enable our students to realize their potential and become the great men and women God created them to be.

Of course, we impart deep and rigorous academic knowledge and skills. But our fundamental intent is to help each student grow into a life of virtue, with appropriate intellectual, emotional and spiritual balance.  The entire Newman education derives its real value and meaning from its foundations in the Catholic faith and ultimately in the relationship with God.

In the Catholic tradition, we aim to educate all dimensions of our students. We educate the Mind with rigorous academics. We educate the Will in the Virtues rooted in Catholic and Classical traditions. We educate the Passions to be managed in a traditionally healthy way. Prayer is a routine feature of school life.  Daily Mass is just down the hall and is well-attended (we are located in the Church of the Epiphany). So there is ample encouragement for students to develop and live their spiritual lives.

We promote Service to others as a core spiritual value.  One prominent example is our Junior year commitment to a service learning project focused on weekly visits with residents of St. Francis Manchester. But, we also promote the belief that an attitude of Service should permeate every action of our lives.

We have quite a lot of fun as a community.  Our Riverhawks sports teams, where everyone gets a chance to play, compete against other small schools. This year we have girls’ volleyball, boys’ soccer, and will have basketball for both genders. We might have Track in the Spring.  Throughout the year we have fun activities like a whole-school cake decorating competition, hikes and retreats.

We support parents, the primary educators, through our dedicated Catholic teachers, in helping our students grow into full lives of holiness as young adults. But, while not all Cardinal Newman students are Catholic, the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church are fundamental to the philosophy and purpose of our school. The joyful faces of our non-Catholic students suggest that the joy flowing from our faith is contagious!

If this sounds like it might be what you are seeking for your child, then please send me an email ([email protected]) to request a visit for yourself or schedule a shadow day for your child. We have an open house for parents and prospective students on Tuesday, October 3 from 6:30 to 8pm. We’ll also be at the St. Mary’s High School Fair with some students on Tuesday evening, September 28 from 6 to 7:30pm.  Then, we’ll be at the Richmond Family Magazine Education Expo at the Dewey Gottwald Center of the Science Museum of Virginia on Sunday afternoon, October 8 from 1 to 4pm.

But, if you’re already convinced, just click on the Admissions button on the top Menu and start downloading forms!

I hope to meet you soon!

Blessings,

Martin Ahrens, Ph.D
Head of School