In 1966 a group of approximately 100 parents organized a private elementary school in Suffolk serving grades 1 through 7. Located in a former overall factory on Newport Street, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy opened with 128 students, six teachers and a principal, Mrs. Ruth Watts, formerly with the Chesapeake public school system.

The school quickly outgrew its make-shift facilities and, in 1970, moved to a 50-acre site on RT. 460 west of downtown. A Lower School building was erected in 1970 followed by an Upper School building in 1971. The first graduating class was in 1972.

Under the leadership of Headmaster Arthur E. Jones (1971-1984), the school developed a full range of academic, athletic and extracurricular programs and began to draw students from Portsmouth, Chesapeake and surrounding areas, as well as from Suffolk. Upon Mr. Jones’ retirement in 1984, J. Albert Barrett became President and the school adopted an exclusively college preparatory curriculum. During Mr. Barrett’s tenure, enrollment grew to 850, a pre-school was begun, expansion of the Lower School took place, and the school became a member of the National Association of Independent Schools.

Dr. Douglas C. Naismith began his tenure in 1989 and retired in 2005. He continued to pursue a course of academic and extra-curricular excellence. Under his leadership, enrollment grew to approximately 1040 making NSA one of the largest independent schools in the Commonwealth. In addition to a continued expansion and improvement of facilities, the Academy adopted programs for financial aid, foreign student exchange, minority recruitment, character education, classroom technology, and an expanded array of athletic offerings for boys and girls.

The Academy’s current Head of School, Mr. Shane A. Foster, took over the helm in July 2005. Prior to serving as the Head of School, Mr. Foster served as the Upper School Headmaster from l998 until 2005. His vision for NSA is to take the school from being a great school, to being one that is extraordinary. Mr. Foster regards Nansemond-Suffolk Academy as more than an academic institution. It is a place where students and faculty alike can celebrate, commiserate, work, play, and above all learn respect and honesty.