By Elizabeth Baumeister

ebaumeister@timesleader.com

A mural with a back-lit wooden cross, created by Michael Hiscox, the school’s new art teacher, with the help of some students over the summer, decorates the end of a hallway at Rock Solid Academy.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TDP-Rock-Solid-1.jpg.optimal.jpgA mural with a back-lit wooden cross, created by Michael Hiscox, the school’s new art teacher, with the help of some students over the summer, decorates the end of a hallway at Rock Solid Academy.

The gymnasium at Rock Solid Academy is set up and ready for first week of school activities.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TDP-Rock-Solid-2.jpg.optimal.jpgThe gymnasium at Rock Solid Academy is set up and ready for first week of school activities.

Each high school student at Rock Solid Academy has his or her own work station to sit at with a laptop computer, in addition to a traditional classroom for group lessons.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TDP-Rock-Solid-3.jpg.optimal.jpgEach high school student at Rock Solid Academy has his or her own work station to sit at with a laptop computer, in addition to a traditional classroom for group lessons.

Dennis
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TDP-Rock-Solid-5.jpg.optimal.jpgDennis

Norwig
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TDP-Rock-Solid-4.jpg.optimal.jpgNorwig

Some of the faculty members at Rock Solid Academy, from left, first row, Lauren Seelye Dennis, associate president/head of school; Robin Gaitano, first and second grades; Mary Baker, kindergarten; Marlo Pace, high school science and mathematics and William Norwig, President/Head of School. Second row, Michael Hiscox, art; Barbra Welch, third and fourth grades; Jared Vedro, fifth and sixth grades and Jennifer Baker, pre-school.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TDP-Rock-Solid-6.jpg.optimal.jpgSome of the faculty members at Rock Solid Academy, from left, first row, Lauren Seelye Dennis, associate president/head of school; Robin Gaitano, first and second grades; Mary Baker, kindergarten; Marlo Pace, high school science and mathematics and William Norwig, President/Head of School. Second row, Michael Hiscox, art; Barbra Welch, third and fourth grades; Jared Vedro, fifth and sixth grades and Jennifer Baker, pre-school.

KINGSTON TWP. — Rock Solid Academy kicked off its fourth year of school on Monday, Aug. 31 with several changes, including new faculty members, curriculum, extracurricular activities and a pre-school program. But families can rest assured: the school’s mission, which is “to partner with parents to provide students with a superior education consistent with Christian principles,” remains the same.

One of the biggest changes is the hiring of a new head of school and a new associate head of school.

After Mark DiPippa resigned as head of school in order to pursue a new career path, Bill Norwig stepped in to fill the position for the 2015-2016 school year.

Norwig earned a master’s degree in education from Keane College in New Jersey, a Bachelor of Science in secondary education from Wilkes University and an elementary education certification from Tenton State, New Jersey. He has more than 30 years of education experience, four of which were spent working as a principal at Lancaster Christian School, 15 as a middle school teacher in the public schools of Northwest New Jersey and 25 as a home school evaluator.

When asked what he most enjoys about his new position, Norwig said, “I just get excited to see lives change for the positive. To not only see the kids learn the academic facts, but see them learn the facts that really help them in the world every day. And to see the excitement of the parents when they find a school that they’re truly pleased with.”

Lauren Seelye Dennis, who was hired as the associate head of school, shares this excitement.

“I love the atmosphere here, the positive, welcoming atmosphere, where you can really see Christ reflected through the staff and through the children,” she said. “And I’m just excited to help this school grow and to reach out to the community more than it has in the past and really have the word spread this year more than ever.”

Dennis obtained both her undergraduate degree in elementary education and her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in English as a second language from King’s College.

She has teaching experience in physical education, Spanish, technology, English as a second language and swimming at several area schools, including Wyoming Valley Montessori, Wyoming Seminary, Wilkes-Barre Academy, Dallas Elementary’s Foreign Language Academy and the United Hebrew Institute. She is also owner of Rock N’ Roll Gymnastics Academy.

Another new addition to the faculty at Rock Solid Academy is Marlo Pace, who possesses a master’s degree in secondary education with a concentration in biology and chemistry. Her expertise and presence will provide enhancement to the high school program, adding a traditional classroom experience to the already established online learning program, which was put into place at the beginning of the last school year.

Dennis said the combination of online and traditional learning is one aspect which makes the academy’s high school program unique, giving students “the best of both worlds.”

“The online is the way of the future,” she said. “Everything technology is booming, and that’s what the kids need for the future. …So they’re getting all that technology experience with the cyber curriculum, but then they also have the benefit of working hands-on with the teacher.”

Norwig added another of the academy’s best attributes is its ability to provide students with the individualized attention they need, due to small class sizes. The elementary and middle school classes range in size from 10 to 14 students. The high school has a current enrollment of 17 students, with two teachers.

“We try to not let them (the students) vegetate, and at the same time help those on the other end who struggle a little bit in learning,” Norwig said.

It isn’t only the faculty members who have good things to say about the academy.

Kirsten Baker, a fourth grade student who started at the academy last year in third grade, said she loves going to school at Rock Solid.

“I like the kids here,” she said. “And all the teachers are nice.”

Her favorite subject is music, and one song she remembers singing as a favorite in that class last year is “The Call” from “The Chronicles of Narnia.”

The school also holds a chapel session twice a month and ministry club meetings once a month, in which students support local and international ministry projects, such as feeding the homeless. Some of the other many extracurricular activities and classes include chorus, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, floor hockey, girls and boys basketball, bowling, a spring football club and an old-fashioned track and field day at the end of the year.

Home school students in fifth through 12th grade are able to participate in sports, art, physical education and music classes for a small fee.

The school recently entered a partnership with Wilkes University, King’s College and Misericordia University to provide student teaching and tutoring services, and a mentoring program is available for students who are in need of remedial or enrichment services.

The academy’s tuition is $4,585 per year for pre-k through eighth grade and $5,085 for high school. Both groups also require a $150 activity fee. Need-based financial aid is available through an independent organization, FAST. A links to apply for the financial aid is available on the academy’s website, rocksolidacademy.org.

Reach Elizabeth Baumeister at 570-704-3943 or on Twitter @AbingtonJournal