First Day Excitement at Great Hearts Academies

Today marks the first day of school for many of our Arizona academies, bringing the end of summer break and the start of a new year dedicated to pursuing Truth, Goodness, and Beauty though a Great Hearts classical education. More academies will join in over the next few weeks as we welcome nearly 30,000 scholars to Great Hearts, all eager to reconnect with friends, classmates, and faculty. Among them are more than 3,000 first-time students in Arizona. These students arrived excited, some a little nervous about beginning something new, but mostly refreshed by a summer of family trips, pool parties, and sleeping in. Additionally, our academy in Louisiana welcomed students back today, with Texas academies opening their doors soon.

“From kindergarten all the way through 12th grade, [for our] in-person brick-and-mortar and also online, it’s just such a tremendous day,” shared Great Hearts Arizona Superintendent, Brandon Crowe. “There’s a little bit of anxiety for everyone, from the five-year-olds to the 18-year-olds, and also the faculty and staff. You’re starting something new after a little bit of time off, but it’s just such a wonderful beginning to be able to dive back into learning and community with each other and continue to build and grow together.”

For parents dropping off their kindergarteners for the first time, it was particularly emotional, both high and low. Some were sad to let go, while others were visibly excited to get a few hours of “free time” after the drop-off. At most schools, the kindergarten classes start a little later in the morning, after the busy driveline has subsided, to allow parents to walk their young scholars all the way to their new classrooms. This tends to be more for the parents’ peace of mind, as their child runs to their desk without hesitation, excited to meet new friends and learn new things. The parents, however, seem to be a little more shaken by the events of the morning.

To ease this transition, many of our academies set aside special spaces to offer these parents coffee and refreshments (and a lot of tissues). This allows kindergarten parents time to meet other parents, encouraging a sense of community and support. It’s also a safe space to shed a few tears, often on the shoulders of faculty who make themselves available during this time. After they have their moment, they can walk out feeling a little better with the knowledge that their child has been left in good hands.

For a lot of parents, no matter how old your student is, there has been a lot of buildup for this day. You have made sure uniforms are ordered and alterations have been made. You have ensured books from the reading list are in the hands of your scholar. You have double-checked supply lists. You have fine-tuned schedules. And you have prepared for early morning breakfasts and packed lunches. You have thought of every detail to make sure the transition from summer to the first day goes smoothly. Now you can breathe and ready yourselves to hear all the stories from your child about their day when they get home.

Our academies understand the importance of the first day and work tirelessly to make it special. From organized classrooms and halls adorned with classical art, to warm welcomes from faculty, every detail is planned to create a positive and inviting atmosphere. Teachers have prepared engaging lessons to invite curiosity and welcome a love of learning from day one. Students are encouraged to explore, ask questions, and immerse themselves in the rich curriculum that Great Hearts offers.

“Today is always such a special day,” said Crowe. “That first day of the season, you know, a kind of opening day and all the excitement that surrounds that. It’s a wonderful time.”

As we move forward into the new academic year, we remain committed to our mission of shaping the hearts and minds of our scholars. The ongoing pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty are at the core of everything we do, guiding our approach to education and community building. We look forward to a year filled with growth, discovery, and the joy of learning.

Do you have a story or know of a story that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contact jason.moore@greathearts.org.