When LaTrice enrolled her son Beck at Hanover Academy in first grade, she wasn’t looking for a new school—she was looking for a way forward. Like many parents navigating the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her husband were stretched thin. Both police officers, they couldn’t stay home to support virtual learning. Their son had just started kindergarten at a public school, and the prospect of balancing shift work with online school felt impossible.
“We came across Hanover Academy and just fell in love with it,” LaTrice says.
That decision, made during a time of global uncertainty, became what she now calls the best educational decision they’ve made for Beck.
A Learning Environment That Matches the Child
Beck was the kind of student who thrived on connection and attention. He needed a place where he could be seen, heard, and known. In Hanover Academy’s small classrooms, he found exactly that.
“He gets more attention from his teachers. The smaller classroom setting helps him pay attention more,” LaTrice explains. “With my older son in public school, there were 20-plus kids in a class. Teachers didn’t always know who your child was. It was a different experience.”
At Hanover, LaTrice and her husband found a school that prioritized relationships. Beck’s teachers not only knew him by name—they understood him. LaTrice describes being able to reach out any time and always getting thoughtful feedback in return. Whether it was an academic challenge or an emotional need, the school’s open communication made a lasting impact.
“Our relationship with the teachers was just awesome. We could call them any time. They would reach out to us with concerns, suggestions, ideas—it was always open and positive.”
A Community Built for Connection
From day one, Beck wasn’t alone. He started at Hanover alongside his cousin, which helped ease the transition. And as he grew, so did his comfort. According to LaTrice, Beck made friends easily and enjoyed the freedom to be himself in a place where he felt accepted and included.
The outdoor time and active classroom support were another strength.
“Boys have a different energy level,” LaTrice laughs. “And Mr. G, he gets it. He knows when they need to get some energy out. That makes a big difference.”
That sense of being understood—not just academically, but personally—was what made Hanover feel like more than a school.
“It’s like a family there,” she says. “Everyone knows everyone.”
Watching Him Thrive
Beck is now in fifth grade and preparing to leave Hanover Academy. For LaTrice, the end of this chapter is bittersweet. She’s seen firsthand how far he’s come.
“We’re going to hate leaving,” she admits. “If the school went through eighth grade, we’d stay.”
She remembers the slow start—those early months where Beck, like many kids, was catching up after a disrupted kindergarten year. But by fifth grade, he was excelling.
“We stayed in contact with his teachers. We always asked: what do we need to work on at home? That partnership made such a difference.”
That two-way relationship between school and family helped Beck build not just academic skills, but confidence and resilience. Today, LaTrice sees a child who loves learning, feels supported, and knows he belongs.
For Parents Wondering What to Do
For other parents considering private education, LaTrice understands the hesitation. But she believes Hanover Academy is worth it.
“If you’re looking for a smaller classroom setting, Hanover is the best option,” she says. “The tuition is worth it. It really is a family. And I know my child is going to be taken care of.”
For her family, Hanover Academy wasn’t a stopgap. It was a turning point.
Hanover Academy is a private school located in Ashland, Virginia, near Richmond, Virginia. Our mission is to educate our students in a nurturing and positive environment that will develop them emotionally, spiritually, and academically.
