May 7, 2026
RHETORIC SCHOOL DISMISSAL AT NOON - (SHUTTLE AFTER SCHOOL ONLY) | May 13
RHETORIC SCHOOL DISMISSAL AT 1:00 PM - (SHUTTLE AFTER SCHOOL ONLY) | May 14
LAST DAY OF STUDY CENTER | May 14
LAST DAYS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD | May 14-15
UPPER SCHOOL DISMISSAL AT NOON - (SHUTTLE FOR LOWER SCHOOL ONLY) | May 15
GIVING DAY 2026
Thank you to all who participated in Giving Day and supported our school with such generosity. Your gifts make a direct impact on our campuses and community.
If you were unable to participate on Giving Day, there is still time to contribute. We welcome your continued prayer and ongoing support for the mission of our school. Click here to learn more.
FACTS LOG IN MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION UPDATE
Beginning May 6, 2026, FACTS will require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all non-student users when logging in to the FACTS SIS Family Portal. This added layer of security helps protect your account information. (Please note: MFA will not be required for student logins.)
FACTS recommends using a free authenticator app—such as Authy, Microsoft Authenticator, or Google Authenticator—or receiving a one-time code via email to complete the log in process. Click here to watch an instructional video from FACTS.
To help ensure a smooth transition, we encourage all parents to log in to the Family Portal before May 6 and confirm that your email address is up-to-date. You can do this by navigating to:
School menu
Web Forms
Family Demographics Form
Custodial Parent Form
If you have any questions about MFA or the log in process, please contact FACTS directly at 866.441.4637.
INAUGURAL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
We are less than a month away from the graduation of Heritage Classical Academy’s very first senior class! What a joy to reflect on the Lord’s faithfulness and the growth of these students as they prepare to step into the next chapter of His calling in their lives.
We warmly invite all of our families to join us in celebration at our inaugural Commencement Ceremony on May 15 at 7:00 p.m. at Cuyahoga Valley Church.
Please click here to RSVP.
We look forward to celebrating this joyful occasion together as a community!
EDCHOICE
Please remember to submit your EdChoice renewal application for the 2026–2027 school year. Completion and annual processing of the EdChoice application are required for continued scholarship eligibility.
To ensure a smooth and timely process, we ask that all required paperwork be submitted as soon as possible. Additional information can be found here.
2026–2027 ACADEMIC CALENDARS
The 2026–2027 academic calendars are now available. Families may access calendars for the Upper School, Lower School, Study Center, and Early Childhood programs. Please use the buttons below to view or download each calendar.
ADMISSIONS FOR THE 2026–27 SCHOOL YEAR
Admissions for next year are progressing quickly, and many of our classes are already filled, with waiting pools in several grades. Even so, we do have a limited number of openings across multiple grade levels. If you know of a missionally aligned family who may be a good fit for Heritage Classical Academy, we would be grateful if you would direct them to our website to explore current admission opportunities. There, families can learn more about our programs, schedule a campus tour, and begin the application process.
Please note: Current students are automatically re-enrolled for the next school year; no action is required to maintain their enrollment.
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.
THE GRIFFIN RUNDOWN
Be sure to tune in to the final Griffin Rundown of the year. In this closing episode, Mr. Nees sits down with seniors Max McCort and Grace Ochenjele for a thoughtful conversation reflecting on their time at HCA and the road ahead. It is a fitting and meaningful conclusion to the year’s series. 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.
If there is a specific section of the Gazette you would like to view, please select it from the menu below.
PENINSULA CAMPUS
PEPPER PIKE CAMPUS - LOWER SCHOOL
PEPPER PIKE CAMPUS - UPPER SCHOOL
ATHLETICS AND CLUBS
FIELD DAY
Field Day will be held on the last day of school, May 22, with a noon dismissal. Families are invited to join us as we celebrate the close of another wonderful school year.
Please click the link below for additional details and to sign up for volunteer opportunities:
Peninsula Field Day 2026 Volunteer Sign-Up
If you have any questions, please contact Kassie Brooks at kassie.brooks@heritageclassicalacademy.org.
AMERICA 250 CONTEST WINNERS
We are pleased to recognize the following Peninsula students for their achievements in the America 250 contest. Their creativity and thoughtful work reflect both talent and dedication.
K–2 Art
1st Place: Riley Grobelny
2nd Place: Ruth Miller
3rd–5th Grade Art
Elodie Maddern
Zeke Siley
3rd–5th Grade Essay
Julia Leukhardt
Ishi Stubbs
Congratulations to these students on a job well done.
PRAYING DADS
The final Praying Dads gathering will take place on Friday, May 8 at 6:30 a.m. in the library.
All are warmly encouraged to attend as we conclude the year together in prayer.
UNIFORM CLOSET
The Uniform Closet welcomes donations of gently used, Student Appearance Standard‑approved uniforms that your child may have outgrown or no longer needs. Parents are also welcome to browse the closet and take items at any time as needed.
LOST AND FOUND
Please encourage your child to check the lost and found before the end of the school year. All items will be donated or disposed of after the last day of school.
LIBRARY REMINDER
Please take a moment to check your home and return any borrowed library books. Thank you for helping us keep our library complete and well cared for.
HOT LUNCH
There will be no Hot Lunch offered in May.
LUNCH & RECESS VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP
We are grateful for our Lunch and Recess Volunteers! 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.
FIELD DAY
Field Day will take place on the last day of school, May 22, with a noon dismissal. We look forward to closing out another wonderful school year with a day of fun and community.
Please follow the link below for additional details and to sign up for volunteer opportunities.
If you have any questions, please contact Ana Hopkins at anarosa.hopkins@heritageclassicalacademy.org.
AMERICA 250 CONTEST WINNERS
We are pleased to recognize the following Peninsula students for their achievements in the America 250 contest. Their creativity and thoughtful work reflect both talent and dedication.
K–2 Art
1st Place: Nell Weigel
2nd Place: Andrew Shernisky
3rd–5th Grade Art
1st Place: J.J. Shernisky
2nd Place: Lauren Como
Essay
1st Place: David Walters
2nd Place: Micah Fruh
Congratulations to these students on a job well done.
UNIFORM EXCHANGE
As your children outgrow their uniforms, we invite you to make use of the Uniform Exchange. Families are welcome to donate gently worn items and take those they need. The exchange is located in the hallway outside the Music Room.
DRESS CODE REMINDER
Families are encouraged to review the Student Appearance Standards here. As a reminder, HCA crewneck sweatshirts and HCA hoodies are not part of the daily dress code and may be worn on Spirit Fridays only.
HOT LUNCH
There will be no Hot Lunch offered in May.
LUNCH VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP
As we enter the final quarter of the year, we kindly ask for your support in the Lunchroom. Your help makes a meaningful difference! Please use the sign-up link below to volunteer.
RHETORIC SEMINAR- DR. DAVID WEST: ASHLAND UNIVERSITY | May 7
CHAPEL- ALISTAIR BEGG | May 8
SEMESTER EXAMS | May 13-14
HOUSE OLYMPICS (NOON DISMISSAL FOR UPPER SCHOOL ONLY) | May 15
COMMENCEMENT AT CUYAHOGA VALLEY CHURCH (CLICK HERE TO RSVP) | May 15
ITALY TRIP- 11TH AND 12TH GRADE | May 17-24
8TH GRADE CAPSTONE PRESENTATIONS | May 18-19
WILLIAMSBURG TRIP- 9TH AND 10TH GRADE | May 19-22
WASHINGTON DC TRIP- 7TH AND 8TH GRADE | May 20-22
LOCAL TRIP- 6TH GRADE | May 21
COLUMBUS TRIP- 6TH GRADE | May 22
SEMESTER EXAM SCHEDULE
Please note the semester exam schedule below and plan accordingly.
Wednesday, May 13 | 8:10 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Grade 12: Humanities, Rhetoric, Greek, Spanish
Grade 11: Humanities, Chemistry
Grade 10: Biology 10A, Greek 10A, Rhetoric 10A, Humanities 10B, Geometry, Algebra II 10B
Grade 9: Geometry 9A, Humanities 9A & 9B, Intro to Physics 9B
Thursday, May 14 | 9:10 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Grade 12: Physics, Science
Grade 11: Greek, Spanish, Rhetoric, Pre‑Calculus
Grade 10: Humanities 10A, Algebra II 10A, Biology 10B, Greek 10B, Rhetoric 10B
Grade 9: Greek 9A & 9B, Rhetoric 9A & 9B, Intro to Physics 9A, Geometry 9B
AMERICA 250 CONTEST WINNERS
We are pleased to recognize the following Pepper Pike students for their achievements in the America 250 contest. Their creativity and thoughtful work reflect both talent and dedication.
Art
1st Place: Penelope Zaller
2nd Place: Nikola Spano
Essay
1st Place: Elijah Rothermel
2nd Place: Stephanie Stubbs
Congratulations to these students on a job well done.
HOT LUNCH
There will be no Hot Lunch offered in May.
SPRING MUSICAL RECORDING
Relive the magic of our very first musical performance of The Wizard of Oz by purchasing a $20 digital copy of the show here.
TRACK INTERSQUAD MEET AND SENIOR NIGHT
The track team will host its first‑ever intersquad meet on Thursday, May 7, at Tri‑C Track (4250 Richmond Road, Highland Hills). This event will also serve as Senior Night, as we recognize and celebrate our graduating athletes. Families and friends are warmly invited to attend and support the team.
NEW SUMMER CLUBS
We are pleased to offer two new clubs for the summer: a Junior High Basketball Clinic and Shakespeare Camp. Both programs provide excellent opportunities for students to grow in skill, teamwork, and appreciation for their craft.
Registration is now open, and space is limited. Click the links below to register.
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.