At Hampstead Academy, we believe social-emotional learning (SEL) is just as important as academic achievement. Students learn best when they feel safe, connected, confident, and understood.

SEL is woven into the fabric of our school day through classroom community-building, collaborative learning, reflection, conflict resolution, and opportunities to develop empathy, resilience, self-awareness, and responsible decision-making.

In addition, Hampstead Academy has a dedicated School Counselor/SEL Specialist who provides preventative, developmentally appropriate support for students across all grade levels. Through classroom SEL lessons, small-group instruction, individual counseling, and collaboration with teachers and families, our counselor helps students build the skills they need to navigate challenges, develop healthy relationships, and thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Our goal is to help every student become not only a successful learner, but also a kind, confident, and emotionally healthy individual.

We believe assessment should support learning, not simply measure it. At Hampstead Academy, we use a combination of classroom assessments, project-based learning, student portfolios, teacher observations, and nationally normed assessments such as MAP Growth to gain a comprehensive understanding of each student's progress.

Our standards-based report cards focus on students' mastery of specific learning standards rather than traditional letter grades, providing families with a clear picture of what students know and are ready to learn next. Students also use rubrics and success criteria to understand expectations, reflect on their own growth, and set meaningful goals throughout the learning process.

This balanced approach allows us to celebrate progress, identify areas for growth, and personalize instruction so every student continues to move forward with confidence.

“Educating children by age group assumes that the most important thing they have in common is their date of manufacture.” - Sir Ken Robinson

Each child is unique in so many ways and so should be their educational journey. Children vary in strengths both academically and developmentally, so in each classroom, children just enjoy being together. At Hampstead Academy, we place students in classrooms by similar ages where they receive instruction at their level and make friends with students of different ages, much in the same manner they'll experience in the real world.

At Hampstead Academy, each student's progress is carefully monitored through an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), which is developed collaboratively and reviewed regularly throughout the school year with input from teachers, students, and parents. The ILP serves as the foundation for personalized instruction, ensuring that learning is tailored to each student's pace, strengths, interests, and areas for growth.

Teachers and school leaders work closely together to monitor progress, adjust learning goals, and provide appropriate support and enrichment as students develop. Whether a student is ready to take on more advanced challenges, strengthen foundational skills, or deepen their understanding through real-world application, the ILP helps ensure that instruction remains responsive to individual needs.

Through this ongoing process of assessment, reflection, and collaboration, Hampstead Academy is committed to fostering continuous academic growth and preparing every student with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed at the next stage of their educational journey.

Technology is a valuable tool in both education and in most every career imaginable. We leverage available technology for the benefit of our students utilizing it at age- appropriate levels to enhance personalized learning.  Younger grades may use computers for learning keyboard skills or do activities in reading and math from google classroom.  Older students would use their computers more often for research, problem solving, creating presentations or engaging in some online learning activities assigned to them by their instructor.

Balance is one of our core beliefs. While students use technology for meaningful academic purposes, much of their learning happens through discussion, experimentation, outdoor exploration, building, designing, creating, and collaborating with classmates. We believe some of the most powerful learning happens away from a screen. We also believe students should know how to use technology thoughtfully and responsibly while also developing strong interpersonal, creative, and hands-on skills.

Students who leave Hampstead Academy continue their educational journeys in a variety of public, private, charter, and independent schools, where they continue to thrive academically and socially. Families often tell us that Hampstead Academy students are confident, self-directed learners who communicate effectively, advocate for themselves, and adapt well to new learning environments. We are proud to have played a role in each student's educational journey and love staying connected with our alumni and former families as they celebrate new milestones and continued success.

At Hampstead Academy, parents are kept informed through multiple channels that ensure transparency and engagement. Pre-K students receive developmental progress reports that highlight growth in key areas, while students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 receive standards-based report cards. In addition, all students have an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) that is reviewed multiple times throughout the year. The ILP tracks academic growth, sets goals, and guides instruction, providing a personalized view of each child’s progress.

Ongoing communication is central to our approach. Parents are encouraged to check in with teachers at any time and participate in scheduled parent-teacher conferences to discuss growth, goals, and next steps. We also emphasize student ownership: children are encouraged to reflect on their own learning and share their progress with their parents, helping them articulate achievements, challenges, and goals.

If you are a New Hampshire resident, we encourage you to take a look at Education Freedom Accounts by New Hampshire Department of Education. This program allows eligible students to direct state funded education adequacy grant toward select educational programming of their choice. For more information, click: NH Education Freedom Accounts - Children’s Scholarship Fund – New Hampshire

Yes. At Hampstead Academy we offer tuition assistance to ensure that: (1) deserving students have the opportunity to receive a high-quality education which otherwise might be unobtainable; and, (2) our school has a well-qualified student body reflecting a broad social and economic mix. For those goals to be achieved it is essential that ability to pay the full tuition not be the deciding factor in determining whether or not a promising young person may attend the school. Financial aid decisions are made independently from admission decisions and in no way affect a candidate’s chances for admission. Applicants must be accepted to Hampstead Academy in order to apply for tuition assistance. For more information, please contact Admissions or visit our tuition page. 

You can find all of our required forms and other helpful information on our "Forms" page here: https://hampsteadacademy.org/forms