How National Heritage Academies Schools Waste No Time for a Strong Start to the Year

Building relationships and creating urgency early on helps students succeed throughout the year

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Students are back in the classroom and National Heritage Academies® (NHA) schools are making sure they waste no time, prioritizing a strong, fast start to the year. Metro Charter Academy Principal Kimberly Johnson shared how her school is setting the tone for scholars and laying the foundation for yearlong success.

Building Respectful Relationships in a Positive Environment

Johnson said one key to a strong start for students is a positive school culture. To create this, she plays music each morning at arrival to give families a lively welcome. Teachers are also at their doors to greet students, providing a personal and positive interaction to start the day. Through these small initiatives, staff members are creating a strong foundation with students.

"One way to help students start the year strong is to build mutually respectful relationships," Johnson said. "It's going to be much easier to navigate challenges when teachers take time to build those relationships and interact with our kids in a way that helps them know they are not only seen and supported, but they're also being held to high expectations."

Teachers are setting the example for students from the moment they walk in the building, modeling routines and procedures. Staff members set the standard from the start and can reinforce those high expectations through instruction.

Johnson said teachers are using curriculum to not only teach students the basics like reading and math, but they're also teaching the school's culture.

"We don't separate culture and content; they go hand in hand," Johnson said. "It's through that intentional integration that we've created the momentum we're looking for. We've got a lot of ground to cover and a short amount of time to cover it."

Creating Urgency, Not Stress

There's one constant in every email or newsletter Johnson sends to her families and staff, the tagline: Raising the standard for excellence with relentless pursuit.

This motto Johnson created for her school embodies the sense of urgency she wants to instill in her staff. She is highlighting the school's high expectations and inspiring her staff to use perseverance with their work ethic.

"The tagline keeps everyone engaged," Johnson said. "It reminds everybody that what we do in these early weeks will only enhance the experience for the rest of the year."

Johnson said she also uses data to encourage staff to keep up their hard work. Using her marketing background, Johnson provides data to staff but connects it back to her larger objectives for the year. She aims to use this tool as a motivator, not a stressor.

"When you're intentional and keep the main thing the main thing, no stress is required to do that," Johnson said. "We'll also assess what's not working and talk about the shifts we need to make, but we don't have to be stressed to do it. The work can be fun, too."

Success at the End of the Year Begins on Day One

Everything NHA schools do at the beginning of the year is done to inspire excellence and provide families a high-quality education, an engaging school community, and a positive experience. Johnson said that starts with school leaders.

"We are leading the charge to start strong," Johnson said. "It begins with our level of investment. We need to ensure we have very clear systems and structures in place and it's important to execute those consistently with a level of care and urgency."

Starting the year with a sense of urgency and strong relationships pays off at the end of the year, Johnson said, adding that the efforts staff make during the first weeks are like a pebble that is tossed into a body of water.

"When that happens, you get a ripple effect," Johnson said. "Strong systems and routines create a lasting ripple effect throughout the year. When students, staff, parents, and even the larger community know what's expected, they feel connected, and they experience success much earlier in the year.

"When you win one time, you want to keep winning."

NHA schools are helping scholars stack wins from Day One, delivering families a high-quality education in an engaging environment.

About National Heritage Academies:
National Heritage Academies® (NHA) is a network of 103 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 68,000 students in kindergarten through 12^th grade. For more information, visit nhaschools.com. To find the nearest charter school near you, use the NHA school finder.

SOURCE National Heritage Academies