Business Details
Challenging Education for Gifted Students in Wilmington, NC
Wilmington Academy-Arts has been dedicated to nurturing academically gifted and highly motivated students in grades 4-8 since our founding. Our mission centers on providing an environment where students can excel through a challenging, hands-on curriculum that emphasizes mastery, application, and individual growth. With a low student-to-teacher ratio, our highly qualified faculty employs research-based teaching practices and cutting-edge technology to deliver personalized instruction. We prioritize holistic education over standardized testing, allowing students to drive their learning through experiments, engineering, and creative projects. Our graduates consistently demonstrate exceptional critical thinking and executive functioning skills, leaving with advanced high school credits and preparation for college and beyond.Recognized for excellence in STEM and arts, we have produced award-winning students in mathematics, science olympiads, and essay competitions. Our commitment to cultivating a love for learning extends to extracurricular opportunities in drama, art, and community service. As the only school in Wilmington exclusively focused on gifted education, we maintain rigorous academic standards while fostering a supportive, joyful learning atmosphere. Our admissions process includes personalized tours, shadow days, and interviews to ensure each student's needs align with our accelerated programs. Through partnerships with institutions like the Naval Academy and West Point STEM programs, we provide unique enrichment opportunities that distinguish our educational approach.
Services
4th-8th Grade Programs
STEM Education
Arts Enrichment
College Preparation
Gifted Education
Extracurricular Activities
Summer Programs
Admissions Counseling
Highlights and features
- Specialized curriculum for gifted and motivated students in grades 4-8
- Low student-to-teacher ratio with research-based teaching methods
- Award-winning faculty with expertise in gifted education
- Proven success in STEM competitions and college preparation
- Unique enrichment opportunities through university partnerships
What people say
Engaged students
Excellence in STEM
Personalized instruction
Award-winning faculty
College preparation
Services
Gifted Education Programs
Our specialized curriculum challenges gifted students through hands-on projects and advanced coursework. With individualized attention, we foster critical thinking and creativity across all subjects. Our program prepares students for high school honors and AP courses while maintaining a joyful learning environment.
STEM Enrichment
We offer comprehensive STEM education with lab experiments, engineering projects, and mathematics competitions. Our students regularly excel in state-level competitions and gain early exposure to advanced concepts. The program includes partnerships with university STEM initiatives for summer opportunities.
Arts Programs
Our arts curriculum includes visual arts, drama, and music programs that develop creative expression. Recent productions like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat demonstrate our commitment to theatrical excellence. Students also participate in regional art competitions and community showcases.
College Preparation
We prepare students for college success through rigorous coursework and executive functioning development. Our graduates complete multiple high school credits and demonstrate exceptional critical thinking skills. The program includes guidance for transitioning to advanced high school programs.
Extracurricular Activities
We provide diverse extracurricular options including science olympiads, drama club, community service initiatives, and sports tournaments. These programs develop leadership skills and foster collaboration while maintaining academic excellence as the primary focus.
People
Justin Fischetti
Head of School
Justin Fischetti leads our academic vision with extensive experience in gifted education. He oversees curriculum development and faculty training to maintain our specialized approach for gifted learners.
Christine Ashley
Office Manager
Christine Ashley manages school operations with a focus on supporting both staff and families. Her administrative leadership ensures smooth day-to-day functioning of our specialized programs.
Whitney McCoy
School Counselor
Whitney McCoy provides academic and personal guidance for our students. She specializes in supporting gifted learners' unique social-emotional needs while coordinating college preparation resources.
Melissa Puritis
Language Arts Teacher
Melissa Puritis teaches Language Arts with a focus on developing advanced writing and critical thinking skills. Her classroom emphasizes creative expression and literary analysis tailored to gifted students.
Jesse Simon
Math Teacher
Jesse Simon specializes in mathematics education for gifted learners. He prepares students for advanced high school coursework while coaching our award-winning math competition teams.
Questions
What grades does WAAS serve?
We serve academically gifted students in grades 4 through 8.
What makes WAAS unique?
We're the only school in Wilmington specializing in gifted education with a low student-to-teacher ratio.
Are there extracurricular activities?
Yes, we offer drama, art, science olympiads, and community service programs.
How does admissions work?
We offer personalized tours, shadow days, and require academic records review for enrollment.
Do students earn high school credits?
Yes, our graduates typically complete multiple high school-level courses.
