August 27, 2026
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - UPPER SCHOOL | August 31
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - LOWER SCHOOL | September 1
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - STUDY CENTER | September 1
LABOR DAY - NO SCHOOL | September 7
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - 2 DAY AND 5 DAY EARLY CHILDHOOD | September 8
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - 3 DAY EARLY CHILDHOOD | September 9
CURRICULUM NIGHT - PEPPER PIKE | September 17
CURRENT FAMILIES WEBPAGE
We encourage families to visit the new Current Families webpage (password: griffins2627), where you will find key resources such as school supply lists, academic calendars, and student appearance standards.
FALL FEST
Mark your calendars for Fall Fest on Saturday, September 26, at Luther’s Farm! This beloved Heritage tradition is a wonderful opportunity for families to gather in fellowship and celebrate the start of another school year.
Ticket sales will open on September 10 for all HCA immediate families and staff. Watch for a ticket purchase link to be sent that day. If tickets remain available, sales will open to extended family and friends on September 19.
We look forward to an day of community, fun, and autumn festivities. Be sure to save the date and watch for additional details in the coming weeks!
HCA APP
Click here to download the HCA app for easy access to class details, lunch orders, directories, the Griffin Rundown podcast, and more.
FIRST DAY PHOTO BOOTHS
First-day photo booths will be available at each campus prior to the start of school. We encourage you to arrive a few minutes early to capture a few memorable photos.
PENINSULA CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
Construction is currently underway to improve waterproofing around the basement, helping protect the building’s foundation and essential equipment. We are also fortifying portions of the masonry to strengthen the foundation and improve the overall integrity of the building and windows. In addition, parking lot improvements will enhance water drainage and provide additional parking spaces for our families.
As these improvements continue, portions of the building exterior will remain active construction areas. For everyone’s safety, please keep children away from fenced work zones and other construction areas. Families may continue to enter through any school entrance located outside of the restricted areas. We appreciate your patience as this important work is completed!
PIKMYKID REMINDER
Remember to download the PikmyKid app on your cell phone before school begins. PikmyKid will be used for student dismissal at all HCA campuses, so please make sure you have the app installed and ready to go. Click here to access the email with instructions on downloading the app.
When you register, be sure to turn on location services. This allows the app to recognize you when you arrive on campus to pick up your student and helps make dismissal as smooth and efficient as possible.
A few important things to know:
PikmyKid information is pulled directly from our FACTS Family Portal, so please make sure your information there is up to date.
No data is transmitted out of the PikmyKid system, and the app is not used to track your student.
After-care registration for both campuses will be through your PikmyKid app.
Questions? Please contact your campus coordinator, principal, or Pat Presley. We’re grateful for your help as we prepare for a safe and efficient dismissal process!
THE HCA CLASSIC GOLF OUTING
We are thrilled to share that all foursomes for the HCA Classic are officially sold out! Thank you to our HCA families, friends, and supporters for making this annual event such a beloved tradition and for your enthusiastic support.
A fewsponsorship opportunities are still available for those who would like to support the event. Proceeds from the HCA Classic benefit the Annual Fund, helping provide important support for our teachers and students throughout the school year.
Interested in supporting the HCA Classic? Click here to learn more about the remaining sponsorship opportunities.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE ANNUAL DINNER
Please save the date for this year’s HCA Annual Dinner on Friday, November 6, at the Marriott Key Tower in downtown Cleveland. This special evening is an opportunity for our HCA community to gather, celebrate the work God is doing through our school, and give thanks for His faithfulness.
Additional details, including registration information, will be shared in the coming weeks. If you are interested in learning more about ways to partner with HCA through the event, please contact our Senior Development Officer, Rick Eimers, at rick.eimers@heritageclassicalacademy.org. We look forward to celebrating together!
ED CHOICE
If you have not already, you will receive your EdChoice acceptance letters soon from the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce. If you completed your acceptance through our Google Form, no further action is required! If you have not completed the Google Form, please submit your acceptance letter using the link below.
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PENINSULA CAMPUS
PEPPER PIKE CAMPUS - LOWER SCHOOL
PEPPER PIKE CAMPUS - UPPER SCHOOL
ATHLETICS AND CLUBS
EARLY CHILDHOOD HEALTH FORMS
All Early Childhood families are required to submit their student's Immunization Form or approved Exemption Form as soon as possible if it has not already been turned in. These records are required for school attendance and should be submitted directly to the school nurses at your earliest convenience.
LUNCH & RECESS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
One of the many blessings of our school community is the partnership between families and faculty. We are grateful for parents and grandparents who generously give their time to help supervise lunch and recess, providing valuable support to our students and staff.
If you would like to serve in this meaningful role, we invite you to sign up using the link below. It is a wonderful opportunity to connect with students and be part of daily life at HCA. Once you express interest, Emily Thompson, Campus Coordinator, will contact you with information about updating your background check, a simple process that takes just a few minutes.
Thank you for prayerfully considering how you might partner with us in serving our students this year.
CLINIC MEDICATION PROCEDURES & REQUIREMENTS
As you prepare for the new school year, please ensure that all medications and required health forms are ready for submission. Medication authorization forms for both prescription and over-the-counter medications are available in the school app and on the website under the Orientation section.
Students who require inhalers, EpiPens, or seizure medications must also provide a physician-signed action plan. These forms can be found in the app under Resources, or your healthcare provider's form may be used.
Please note the following requirements:
All forms must be dated for the current school year and signed by both a parent/guardian and healthcare provider.
Forms must include the medication name, dosage, and administration instructions.
All medications must be in their original, properly labeled containers and must not be expired.
The clinic cannot administer medication until both the medication and all completed forms have been received.
A parent or guardian must deliver medications and paperwork on the first day of school. For student safety, medications may not be transported to school in student backpacks.
Questions may be directed to the clinic at nurse@heritageclassicalacademy.org.
DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP REMINDERS
As we prepare for the first days of school, we thank families for helping us maintain a safe and efficient arrival and dismissal process. To keep traffic moving smoothly, please remain in your vehicle during drop-off and pick-up. Heritage staff will assist students in and out of cars and can help younger children with buckling when needed. If you prefer to assist your child personally, please pull forward and park to the right. We kindly ask that all individuals authorized to pick up your student be familiar with these procedures.
For Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten families, parents are welcome to walk their children into the building on the first day of school. Beginning the following day, students will enter with their classmates and be warmly welcomed by our staff.
FIRST DAY PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
To help commemorate the beginning of a new school year, first-day photo booths will be available outside the Chapel and near the Lower School drop-off circle before school begins. We encourage families to arrive a few minutes early to capture these special memories as we celebrate the start of another year at Heritage.
MEDICATIONS AND MEDICAL FORMS
As you prepare for the new school year, please take note of the following important health requirements. If your child requires medication during the school day, a completed medication authorization form signed by both a parent/guardian and healthcare provider must be submitted to the clinic. All medications must be delivered to the school by an adult and remain in their original pharmacy-labeled packaging.
In addition, Early Childhood families should bring their student's Immunization Form or Exemption Letter to Orientation and submit it directly to the nurses.
LUNCH AND RECESS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
One of the joys of our Heritage community is the partnership between Parents and Faculty. Parents are invited to join us during lunch and recess as volunteers, providing a wonderful opportunity to spend time with students and support our daily routines.
Volunteers assist with simple tasks such as helping younger students open lunch containers, serving as an extra set of eyes on the playground, and helping maintain an orderly environment. HCA teachers and staff will always be present and responsible for leading lunch and recess, while volunteers provide valuable support and encouragement.
If you would like to serve in this way, we would be grateful for your help. Sign up below.
SENIOR PARKING SPACE PAINTING | AUGUST 28
RHETORIC SEMINAR | SEPTEMBER 3
HOUSE INITIATION | SEPTEMBER 4
SENIOR SERVICE AND EXPERIENCE | SEPTEMBER 4
RHETORIC SEMINAR| SEPTEMBER 10
HOUSE INITIATION DAY
On Friday, September 4, students will celebrate House Initiation Day. Current students should wear their House T-shirt with uniform bottoms. New HCA students and sixth-grade students will be formally welcomed into the House system, receive their House assignments, and be presented with their House T-shirts.
This special tradition marks the beginning of a student's participation in one of HCA's Houses and the friendships, fellowship, and friendly competition that accompany it throughout the year.
RHETORIC FORMAL DAYS
Rhetoric Formal Days will be held on Tuesdays, beginning later in September. Young men should plan to wear the approved Lands’ End tie or bow tie in the classic navy and dark crimson stripe pattern as part of the formal dress uniform. Additional details regarding the start of Formal Days will be shared as the date approaches.
P.E. UNIFORMS
Students who need a P.E. uniform are encouraged to place their order before the first day of school to help ensure compliance with the dress code when P.E. classes begin in September. You can place an order here.
If your uniform has not arrived by your first scheduled P.E. class, students should wear a comparable outfit consisting of a gray T-shirt and navy shorts of appropriate length (at least fingertip length) until they receive the official uniform. Thank you for helping students come prepared and ready to participate in class.
SENIOR PARKING SPOT PAINTING
Members of the Class of 2027 are invited to personalize their senior year by painting a reserved parking space! Seven parking spots behind Maynard will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with painting scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, August 28, at 12:00 p.m. (Rain Date: Saturday, August 29, at 12:00 p.m.).
Students interested in participating should have already submitted their design proposals to Mr. Bond for approval. Designs should be creative, Christ-honoring, and in good taste. Participants are responsible for providing their own water-based exterior latex paint and painting supplies.
For questions or to reserve a spot, please contact Daniel Bond at daniel.bond@heritageclassicalacademy.org. We look forward to seeing our seniors' creativity on display!
HERITAGE ASSOCIATION OF PARENTS
The Heritage Association of Parents (HAP) plays a vital role in supporting our school community and advancing the mission of classical Christian education. In partnership with faculty and staff, parent volunteers generously share their time, talents, and resources to enrich student life and strengthen the Heritage community.
As we look ahead to the 2026-2027 school year, we invite you to prayerfully consider opportunities to serve through HAP. Whether through event support, hospitality, fundraising, or other volunteer efforts, your involvement makes a meaningful difference in the life of our school.
LUNCH VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
One of the many ways parents can support our school community is by serving during our weekly special lunch program. Volunteers have the opportunity to interact with students, assist with meal service, and help ensure that lunchtime runs smoothly and efficiently.
Volunteers may assist with tasks such as preparing serving areas, distributing meals, and helping students as needed. HCA staff will always be present and oversee the lunch period, while volunteers provide valuable support that helps make these meals possible.
If you are looking for a meaningful way to serve the Heritage community, we would be grateful for your partnership. Thank you for helping us care for our students and foster a joyful school culture.
ATHLETICS-PIKMYKID
To help ensure a smooth and timely dismissal, families of student-athletes are asked to update their PikMyKid account to “After School – Fall Sport” on any day their student has a practice or game. Please also be sure to designate who will be responsible for picking up your student from school and transporting them to their activity.
Keeping this information current allows our staff to safely and efficiently dismiss students at the end of the school day. Thank you for your partnership and support as we begin another exciting fall sports season.
GOLF
The Heritage Golf team is off to an outstanding start this season, remaining undefeated after victories in both matches last week. We commend our student-athletes for their hard work, discipline, and strong performance on the course.
Families and friends are invited to come support the Griffins as they take on First Baptist this Friday at Tanglewood. We look forward to cheering on our golfers as they continue their excellent season!
VOLLEYBALL
It has been an exciting start to the season for Heritage Volleyball!
Our High School Volleyball team earned a thrilling victory over First Baptist, marking the program's first-ever win against First Baptist with a decisive three-set match. Congratulations to our players and coaches on this memorable achievement.
The success continued as our Junior High Volleyball team (7th-8th grade) defeated Wooster Christian in two sets, while our Middle School Volleyball team (5th-6th grade) secured a victory over Medina Christian.
We invite families and friends to come support all of our volleyball teams at their next home match against Agape Christian on Thursday, August 27, at The Edge in Twinsburg. Come cheer on your Griffins as they continue a strong season!
SOCCER
The Heritage soccer team earned its first victory of the season on Tuesday, August 25, defeating Victory Christian by a score of 11-4. Congratulations to our student-athletes and coaches on a strong performance.
CROSS COUNTRY
The Heritage Cross Country team will begin its season at the HOKA Night XC Showcase on Saturday, August 29. This exciting event marks the start of the competitive season and provides our runners with an opportunity to showcase their hard work and dedication.
STAY CONNECTED
Join your child’s after-school sport or club on the SportsEngine App to receive updates. Didn’t receive an invite? Please email leah.hooper@heritageclassicalacademy.org.