A smiling woman with blonde hair standing outdoors on a street with blurred cars and greenery in the background. The founder of Royal Oak Academy pictured in the image. Founder of ROA pictured for home-school families.

Meet Our Founder

Hello, I'm Bonnie, the founder of Royal Oak Academy, a christian microschool in Suffolk, VA. My journey in education began with a heartfelt desire to provide my children with an exceptional learning experience that went beyond the limitations of our local schools. Driven by a passion for creating a nurturing environment, I embraced the exciting path of homeschooling. Over the years, my love for education has grown as I've had the privilege of teaching not only my children but also friends and others in our community.

Now, after years of experience and dedication, I’m thrilled to launch Royal Oak Academy—not just for my children, but for yours as well. My heart is filled with excitement as I look forward to partnering with families in our community to inspire and nurture a love for learning.

Public education has changed significantly over the past 30 years, and at Royal Oak Academy, we value parents' voices. We invite parents to join us in shaping our event programs, sharing their expertise, and collaborating to create a vibrant educational community. Together, we form the heart of Royal Oak Academy, ensuring every child thrives.

Royal Oak Academy is honored to be the recipient of two grants from Empowered, as well as the VELA 10K Grant. In addition, we were blessed with a generous $500 gift to purchase a new desktop computer for the school.

We are deeply grateful for the support and belief that these organizations and individuals have shown in Royal Oak Academy. Their generosity affirms the mission we hold close to our hearts—serving families and nurturing meaningful, faith-centered education for every child we reach.

A testimonial quote about Royal Oak Academy from Barry Sexton, a customer of Bear Process Service, with his contact information and a photo of him smiling outdoors, over a gold and cream background.
Testimonial graphic with a photo of a smiling woman with blonde hair and sunglasses on her head, five gold stars, and text praising Royal Oak Academy, signed by Susan Blair Laworne, mother of Charlie.
A testimonial quote from Rebecca Lumsden, mother of a first-grade student, praising Royal Oak Academy, accompanied by a photo of a woman with a young boy hugging in front of a Christmas tree.

Our mission at Royal Oak Academy is to develop compassionate and confident students, nurturing each child’s unique strengths through hands-on learning.

Reminder: Space is limited

Our Staff

Bonnie Bradshaw (Founder/Coach)

Bonnie brings over 35 years of experience in education, both within and beyond the public school system. She has successfully homeschooled her own children, as well as other children in the community and extended family members, with all her students consistently excelling year after year. To track and measure growth, Bonnie administers the California Achievement Test each May, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of her students' progress. Committed to lifelong learning, she has earned numerous certifications and holds a degree in Bible Theology.

Portrait of a young man with short blonde hair, wearing glasses, a white collared shirt, and a floral-patterned blazer, against a plain white background. Mr. Anthony a teacher from Royal Oak Academy.

Anthony Bradshaw (Elementary Coach)

Anthony, a graduate of Nansemond River High School, pursued his passion for music by earning multiple certifications in Recording and Mastering. A lifelong learner, Anthony's dedication to education makes him an excellent teaching coach for Royal Oak Academy. In addition to his expertise in music, he has earned certifications in Math and has extensive experience homeschooling and tutoring students from elementary to middle school. As one of 12 siblings, Anthony has a natural understanding of diverse learning styles and excels at connecting with children to support their unique educational needs.

A blonde woman smiling outdoors on a sunny day, wearing a burgundy blouse, standing on a sidewalk with trees and parked cars in the background. Founder Bonnie Bradshaw pictured as she smiles for a Royal Oak Academy picture.

Join a supportive community where school feels like an extension of your family.