January 8, 2026
NO SCHOOL | January 19
UPPER SCHOOL NOON DISMISSAL | January 26
BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER | January 27 (Peninsula and Pepper Pike) & January 28 (Pepper Pike only)
LOWER SCHOOL PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES - NO SCHOOL | January 30
SPEECH MEET (1st-6th Grade) | February 10
NEW GRIFFIN GEAR STORE ITEMS
We are pleased to announce that new House items and Heritage hoodies have been added to our Griffin Gear store. Click here to visit the store and explore these latest options.
ADMISSIONS APPLICATIONS OPEN
Admissions season is in full swing, and we are accepting applications for the 2026–2027 school year. Do you know a family whose values align with HCA’s mission? Please direct them to the HCA website where they can learn more about our mission, schedule a tour at one of our campuses, and submit their application.
Please note: Current students are automatically re-enrolled for the next school year; no action is required to maintain their enrollment.
Priority Enrollment for current families is available through January 9. If you wish to apply for a sibling who is not currently enrolled, please log in to your existing FACTS Family Portal account (do not create a new account). From there, go to “Apply/Enroll,” choose “Application,”and then select “Click Here to Add an Application” on the main screen. If you wish to request a campus or track change during priority enrollment, please notify our Admissions Director, Laura Calo, at laura.calo@heritageclassicalacademy.org. For any other questions, contact Laura directly.
SPEECH MEET
Our 1st–6th grade students are getting ready for the upcoming Speech Meet on February 10. To support their preparation, please review this helpful document featuring Practice Tips and Category Guidelines. Click here to read all information regarding the Speech Meet.
THE GRIFFIN RUNDOWN
We invite you to join us for this week’s episode of The Griffin Rundown. We’re beginning 2026 with a brief update, highlighting the latest campus announcements. We will return next week with a full episode, featuring a brand-new interview you won’t want to miss! Click here to listen to this week’s Griffin Rundown.
HCA APP
Click here to download the HCA App for easy access to class details, lunch orders, directories, The Griffin Rundown podcast, and more.
CONVERT YOUR OHIO TAX DOLLARS TO HCA SCHOLARSHIPS
The state of Ohio’s Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) tax credit allows donors who contribute to K–12 student scholarships through a certified SGO to receive a dollar-for-dollar reduction in their state taxes—up to $750 per individual or $1,500 per couple. We encourage families to prayerfully consider a gift to the OCEN SGO to support scholarship funding for HCA students, knowing their contribution will be returned to them through this tax credit. Learn more here.
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PENINSULA CAMPUS
PEPPER PIKE CAMPUS - LOWER SCHOOL
PEPPER PIKE CAMPUS - UPPER SCHOOL
ATHLETICS AND CLUBS
HCA CARES
HCA cares deeply about incarcerated youth, and we are partnering again with Suited for Hope in order to serve young people who have completed their sentences and are returning home. Many of these individuals struggle to meet their basic need for food, clothing, and shelter. Suited for Hope helps to ease this transition by providing Bibles, clothing, and essential toiletries to young people rebuilding their lives.
Beginning January 14, parents and students can grab a tag and return items, with tag attached, to show these young people the incredible love of our caring God. This small act of kindness can provide them with the hope they need to move forward.
All items are due by January 28.
Let’s come together to show we care and help these young people make a fresh start! To learn more about this important cause, please click here.
END OF SEMEMSTER
The first semester officially ends on Friday, January 16.
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Be on the lookout for conference sign-up information. Parent Teacher Conferences will take place on Friday, January 30. Please note: There will be no school for Lower School students on this day.
HOT LUNCH
The hot lunch schedule can be viewed here, and ordering instructions can be viewed on the Orientation Page. Orders must be placed by Sunday night. We kindly ask that you note the dates on which you order lunch for your child, as this service is not available every week.
LUNCH & RECESS VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP
We are grateful for our Special Lunch volunteers! Volunteers serve Chick-fil-A and Gionino’s and assist with delivery, set up, distribution, and clean up, and will receive a list of student orders. A consistent weekly volunteer is especially helpful for both routine and relationships with students. If you would like to serve, please click on the link located below. Emily Thompson, our Campus Coordinator, will follow up regarding a quick background check. Thank you for considering this opportunity to bless our school community.
AFTERCARE REGISTRATION
Aftercare registration is required for each student who will remain on campus after school hours. This includes students staying due to a sibling’s participation in after-school clubs, lessons, or athletics. Please register by 2:00 p.m. daily to ensure proper supervision and planning. Please note, students who ride the HCA Shuttle do not need to register for aftercare if they will be picked up by 3:45 p.m.
DISTRICT BUSSING SIGN-UP
Please complete daily registration for students who will be riding district buses after school. Registration must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. each day, using the appropriate district form linked below. Please do not email your campus coordinator or attendance line with bus changes. All updates must be made through the form by the daily deadline. Any students not listed on the form will not be placed on the bus after school.
PRAYING MOMS AND DADS
Heritage Moms and Dads, you are invited to join together for prayer every month.
Praying Dads meets at Heritage Coffee in Solon from 6:30–7:30 a.m. The next gathering is January 9. Mark your calendar for future dates: Feb. 13, Mar. 13, Apr. 10, and May 8. Questions? Contact HCA dad Jason Fruh at fruhjm1@gmail.com.
Praying Moms meets Mondays at the Pepper Pike Campus Chapel from 8:30–9:30 a.m. The next gathering is January 12. Mark your calendar for future dates: Feb. 9, Mar. 9, Apr. 13, May 4. Questions? Contact HCA mom Julie Johnson at prayingparents@heritageclassicalacademy.org.
LOST & FOUND
All items in Lost and Found from before winter break will be donated tomorrow, Friday, January 9. There are many winter coats, lunch boxes, school materials, and hats and gloves. Please check the Lost and Found today if you believe your child may be missing items.
HOT LUNCH
Please remember to place your orders by Sunday evening for Chick-fil-A (Wednesdays) and Gionino’s (Thursdays). For your convenience, you may order for the remainder of the school year. Kindly note the specific dates you select, as this lunch service is not available every week.
LUNCH VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP
We invite you to help us begin the new year in the lunchroom. Your support makes a difference, and we would greatly appreciate your assistance!
UPPER SCHOOL NOON DISMISSAL | January 26
BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER | January 27 (Peninsula and Pepper Pike) & January 28 (Pepper Pike only)
COURT OF DREAMS
There will be a noon dismissal on January 26 for the Cleveland Cavaliers Court of Dreams event. Please note that the shuttle bus will not run to Peninsula at noon on this day. Families should plan accordingly for their Upper School child’s transportation and pick-up at noon.
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Please note that Friday, January 30 is a regular school day for all Upper School students. Only Lower School students will have no school that day due to Parent-Teacher Conferences.
BAKE SALE
Please sign up to help bake and/or serve at our upcoming Fundraiser Bake Sales on January 27 and 28. Items will be sold at Peninsula on January 27 and at Pepper Pike Lower and Upper School on both January 27 and 28. All proceeds will help offset the cost of the May Field Trip for all 7th–10th grade students. Your support is greatly appreciated!
SPEECH MEET
Our 6th grade students are getting ready for the upcoming Speech Meet on February 10. To support their preparation, please review this helpful document featuring Practice Tips and Category Guidelines. Click here to read all information regarding the Speech Meet.
COLLEGE CREDIT PLUS
Parents of students in grades 7–11 are invited to attend an informational College Credit Plus meeting on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. in the HCA Chapel. This session will provide important details about earning college credit while in high school.
College Credit Plus is Ohio’s dual credit program, allowing students to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously, often at little or no cost to families. This program is designed to encourage rigorous academic pursuits and provide expanded opportunities for college-ready students.
Representatives from Cedarville University, the University of Akron, and Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) will be present to answer questions and provide guidance. For additional information, please contact HCA’s College and Career Counselor, Mrs. Anne Johns, at anne.johns@heritageclassicalacademy.org.
SPECIAL LUNCH VOLUNTEERS
We are in need of additional volunteers to help serve pizza on Thursdays in the new year. Your support is greatly appreciated! If you are willing to help, please click here to sign up.
SPRING MUSICAL
We are excited to announce this year’s Spring Musical: The Wizard of Oz. Students will receive more information about auditions tomorrow, January 9. Stay tuned for details, and get ready for an unforgettable production!
BASKETBALL
Girls Varsity Game Added
A Girls Varsity Basketball game has been added on Monday, January 12, at 5:00 p.m. at Westside Christian Academy. Please note: There will be no boys game that evening.
High School Senior Night
Join us for Basketball Senior Night on Friday, January 30, at The Edge (9550 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg, OH).
Girls Game: 5:30 p.m.
Boys Game: 7:00 p.m.
Come support our teams and celebrate our seniors!
MOCK TRIAL
Our Mock Trial team will participate in the District Competition later this month. The exact date, time, and location will be announced soon. Stay tuned for details and join us in supporting our team as they prepare for this exciting event.
POWER OF THE PEN
We are thrilled to announce that our students will compete for the first time in the Power of the Pen State Competition on January 31. This is an exciting milestone, and we wish our team the very best.
PENINSULA WINTER CLUB REGISTRATION
Afternoon school clubs at Peninsula will begin next week on Monday, January 12. We look forward to an engaging and enriching start to the new session.
COURT OF DREAMS T-SHIRT
Purchase your HCA Court of Dreams T Shirt here to support the HCA Basketball Teams.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS COURT OF DREAMS
Ticket sales are now closed.
If you purchased tickets, you will receive an email in January that includes your tickets and parking/entrance information.
The Upper School will be dismissed at noon to attend the games and cheer on their classmates. Students are responsible for their own transportation. Students who do not attend the game will also be dismissed at noon.
Game Schedule – Monday, January 26
First Baptist Christian School vs. HCA
High School Girls: 1:30 p.m.
High School Boys: 2:15 p.m.
These will be exhibition games with modified quarters to fit the event time slot. This is an incredible opportunity for our students to play on the Cleveland Cavaliers court.
STAY CONNECTED
Join your child’s after-school club on the Band App to receive updates. Didn’t receive an invite? Please email mitchell.monas@heritageclassicalacademy.org.