Secondary
Our older students are divided into Middle School and High School groups. Each classroom has two teachers supporting about a dozen students.
Students receive individualized support in math and language arts, with one-on-one tutoring with our reading specialists as needed. Social studies and science curriculum is designed to stimulate curiosity and deep-dive into learning using a unit study approach.
Social-emotional skills training is incorporated into our curriculum both directly and indirectly. Students can also choose from a variety of art, tech, practical skills, and special interest topics available as electives each semester.
Middle School (7th-8th)
In Middle School, we strive to build independent learners who are developing their ability to be helpful and collaborative. Collaboration begins with respect for each other, and the ability to understand our role in the larger ecosystem of our class, school, and community. We encourage risk-taking and create space for students to learn from mistakes. We meet students where they are and celebrate the diversity of experiences our students bring.
High School (9th-12th)
Our mission in the High School is to help students become their best selves while learning how to be positive members of a large group. We accomplish this by focusing on academic responsibility, emotional self-regulation, and social acuity. Other key pillars of our program emphasize independent thinking coupled with perspective-taking, decision-making, and personal accountability.
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HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER (he/him)
Brandon is from Goldsboro, North Carolina. He graduated from the University of Mount Olive where he obtained a bachelor's degree in Sports Management. He has coached several youth sports including: basketball, track and field, and cross country. Brandon has over five years of experience of working in education. Most of his years in education have been in EC. In his free time, he likes to play basketball, listen to music, and play with his two dogs. Brandon is excited to join the team here at Hope Creek Academy!
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HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER (he/him)
Rob Hirtz earned his BA from the University of Pennsylvania with a double major in English and psychology, and his MA in Liberal Studies from Duke. After a brief career in advertising, Rob became involved with political campaigns as a campaign manager and consultant with several non-profit organizations, including the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, as well as a consultant on mental health issues with the Pennsylvania state government. During this time, Rob also worked as a political reporter and columnist for Philadelphia City Paper, and as a political commentator on Morning Edition for Philadelphia’s public radio station, WHYY. He then moved to Durham, where, after he and his wife Jenny authored a travel guide to North Carolina (The North Carolina Handbook), he became an editor with Duke University. After almost 20 years with Duke, Rob moved on to become a special education teacher with the Durham public school district, before joining Hope Creek Academy in 2019.
