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Moravian Academy in Action

Embracing Stewardship as Our Guiding Principle for 2026-27

8/11/2026

Moravian Academy is excited to welcome new and returning students for the 2026–2027 school year—the school’s 285th. Since its inception in 1742, Moravian Academy has guided young people to build the skills and character needed to serve their families, their communities, and the world.

Longevity, however, is not simply an inheritance; it is an active practice. Every generation of this community has asked what students need today and what they will need next, ensuring that the school’s programs, resources, and faculty are equipped to provide distinct educational opportunities. That ongoing commitment is what carried the school from 1742 to today, and it is what will lead Moravian Academy toward its tricentennial in 2042.

In that spirit, Moravian Academy has named Stewardship—the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care—as the all-school theme for the year ahead. As stewards of a shared story, the community focuses on three core pillars: care for each other, care for our campuses and environment, and care for the intellectual, physical, and spiritual growth of our children.

1. Care for Each Other

The pace and demands of daily life make it harder than ever to slow down and truly understand one another. Without a foundation of trust, it is easy to assume the worst about someone's motivations rather than opening a dialogue. This holds true for students navigating their first friendships as well as adults building relationships as colleagues, parents, and partners between home and school.

Moravian Academy remains committed to stewarding what makes us uniquely human through several targeted initiatives:

Civil Discourse: Expanding the R.E.A.L. discussion protocols piloted last year to all students in grades 6–9.
Public Speaking: Elevating oral presentation skills through classroom projects, theatrical performances, chapel gatherings, and speech and debate competition.
Home-School Partnerships: Deepening family engagement through transparent communication, active association events, and parent education opportunities like the Moravian Academy Community Education Series.
Faculty & Staff Well-Being: Launching Team Thrive, an employee well-being task force connecting staff across all three campuses with leadership to support those who teach and care for our students.

2. Care for Our Campuses and Environment

Aligned with the school's Portrait of a Graduate goals—ensuring students graduate as guardians of natural resources and champions of environmental sustainability—Moravian Academy offers rich, hands-on learning environments:

Outdoor Classrooms: Across three campuses, features like gardens, a solar array, mature tree canopies, and an active apiary teach environmental responsibility through living examples.
Field Experiences: Experiential off-campus trips allow students to observe and analyze natural ecosystems firsthand.
World Climate Simulation: Ninth graders take on the roles of global delegates during an immersive simulation summit focused on international climate policy negotiation.
Agricultural Partnerships: Building on a campus visit from the CEO of the Rodale Institute, the school is previewing a newly developed agricultural curriculum within the middle school garden elective.
Student-Led Sustainability: Student initiatives continue to expand composting and waste-reduction programs across all three campuses.
Global Engagement: Following their participation in the international Villars Symposium in Switzerland, four high school students have introduced campus-wide initiatives aimed at local sustainability goals.

Campus Safety & Infrastructure Upgrades

To ensure our physical spaces remain safe and secure, Moravian Academy has transitioned to a hybrid safety model combining internal direction with security leadership from Cardinal Point. Each campus now features a dedicated Security Lead, overseen by Director of Security Rob Stametz.

Facility enhancements carried out over the summer include:

Facility Refreshes: Updated interior paint, fresh flooring, and revitalized common areas across all three campuses, as well as new entrance signage welcoming families to the Merle-Smith and Historic Downtown Campuses.
Historic Preservation & Growth: Permitting and design efforts are actively moving forward on the new turf field at the Merle-Smith Campus, ensuring facilities match the growth and athletic needs of students.

3. Care for Intellectual, Physical, and Spiritual Growth

At its core, Moravian Academy's primary purpose is nurturing the overall growth of every child. Priorities for the upcoming year include:

Technology Philosophy Framework: Implementing a research-backed policy that governs tech integration according to age-appropriate practices and critical-thinking development.
Refining Assessment: Aligning classroom evaluation with tech practices so students build deep analytical discernment, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Athletic Excellence: Launching Year 1 of the Athletic Excellence Strategic Action Plan to boost coaching development, expand youth sports programs, and enrich the student-athlete experience.
Gifted and Learning Support: Streamlining support services across all divisions. Following the success of the LEAPS program in the Upper School, plans are underway to launch a dedicated Middle School Gifted and Learning Support initiative by 2027–2028.
Whole-Child Development: Supporting spiritual and emotional growth through active social-emotional learning curricula, chapel services, and divisional town halls.
Expanded Co-Curriculars: Under new directors Jarred Weaver and Stephanie Palmeri, MAX Programs is rolling out expanded after-school and weekend enrichment offerings.

Every member of the Moravian Academy community plays a vital role in carrying forward a story 285 years in the making. Members of the community are invited to contribute their unique time, talent, and care toward stewarding the school’s ongoing mission.

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