CONTENTS
A NOTE FROM THE HEADMASTER
HIGH SCHOOL SPECIFICS
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPECIFICS
ATHLETICS
COLLEGE COUNSELING
FAMILY GIVING
DATES TO NOTE
MAY 18-21 FINAL EXAMS
MAY 20 8TH GRADE PROMOTION
MAY 22 GLENDALE PREP COMMENCEMENT
A NOTE FROM THE HEADMASTER
Dear Glendale Prep Families,
Yesterday, the student bodies of both Archway Glendale and Glendale Prep gathered together at the end of the day to cheer on the Class of 2026 as they wrapped up final exams and made their final walk through the hallways and buildings that have been home to them for the past thirteen years.
It was a meaningful and memorable experience for our senior class, as well as for the many students and teachers who have watched them grow along the way. You can watch the Glendale Prep Class of 2026 Senior Walk in the video link below.
As part of their farewell, our seniors also took time to write addresses to the community they now prepare to leave behind. Below is one example of the many thoughtful exhortations written by members of the Class of 2026.
Wishing you a wonderful final week of the 2025-2026 school year,
Mrs. Janssen
Farewell to the Academy
One morning in my junior year physics class, I watched as a pig with wings flew around a metal pole on a thin string. I am sure you all remember that day and experiment; we were tasked with calculating the pig’s velocity but were distracted by the absurdity of the experiment. At least, I was. I have never enjoyed mathematics, but in physics it felt even worse. We were there to learn science, I thought, not to derive equations and solve for unknown variables. I wanted a lecture on the formation of the stars or a worksheet about DNA; what I did not want was the pig, circling the pole over and over again. The experiment felt as aimless as the pig’s flight, and I found myself wondering, “Why should this matter to me?”
It is easy to understand why the simple things matter, like vocabulary tests and long history notes. These lessons are the bedrocks of education, laying the foundations for other, more complicated ideas. However, the difficult things, the things that set Glendale Preparatory Academy apart, are harder to understand. Why should I read Aristotle? Why should I participate in seminar? Why should I care about symposium? Not only are these things difficult and complex, but they demand much of my time and effort. Yet, these very characteristics are what make them so important. The lessons and the education may be challenging, but they act like a forge. They pressure me just enough to produce something beautiful: an independent mind capable of thought and a soul willing and eager to search for the truth.
The challenge of this education fosters independence of thought in two ways. To start, it presents new and oftentimes controversial ideas through classical texts. For example, when I read The Confessions of St. Augustine as a senior, I was shocked by his concept of wickedness. He believed that evil was simply a perversion of the good and did not exist on its own, whereas I had always been told that good and evil both existed indisputably. St. Augustine forced me to consider new opinions, leading me to question beliefs that I had held since I was young and truly examine them. From there, seminars taught me how to search for the truth instead of merely agreeing with commonly held beliefs. After realizing that my previous opinions might not be entirely correct, I discussed the problems that arose from St. Augustine’s ideas with my classmates; I offered my own ideas and insight; and I received new perspectives from others in return. At the end of seminar, I might not have walked away with all the answers, but I left the class with a better understanding of human nature and new opinions that were founded not on societal ideas, but on the truth.
Perhaps others believe that the tedious homework load, the difficult assignments, and the complexity of the curriculum lessen the value of the education I have received here. The uniforms and challenging classes might not seem worth the effort. However, without these things I would not be the person I am today, willing and able to question beliefs and search for the truth. Instead, I would have continued to believe the opinions that society often presents as facts, and my view of the world would be farther, not closer to, the truth. Because of this education and its many challenges, difficulties, and expectations, I now refuse to accept ideas that I have not personally questioned and discussed, and to me, this ability holds more value than easy classes and rote memory.
And so, I return to the question I asked myself in the physics classroom almost two years ago. Why should this matter to me? I think, finally, I have found the answer. It does not lie in spoken lectures; it is not hidden in a printed worksheet. It is found in the moments where I was challenged, where I was forced to consider ideas from a new perspective. This education matters because, through it, I became an independent thinker and a student who truly appreciates truth, beauty, and goodness. So I urge you, as we embark on our new journeys, to keep questioning, to continue seeking the truth, and to never forget that it is always a great day to be a griffin.
HIGH SCHOOL
CLASS OF 2026 COMMENCEMENT
FRIDAY, MAY 22 5:00PM PM
Haven Church in Glendale
5902 W Cactus Rd, Glendale, AZ 85304
*Graduating seniors must arrive to Haven Church no later than 4PM
MIDDLE SCHOOL
8TH GRADE PROMOTION
8th Grade Promotion is on May 20 at 6:00PM at Glendale Preparatory.
Doors open for seating at 5:30PM.
MISC SCHOOL INFO
YEARBOOK DISTRIBUTION
Yearbook distribution will take place Wednesday after the 5th Period Exam and will include time for schoolwide yearbook signing. Students may bring pens for friends to sign; Sharpies and markers are not permitted.
*Yearbook fees were included in your consumable costs, paid before the school year began.
SUMMER READING PROGRAM
Summer is almost here, and so is the Maricopa County Summer Reading Program hosted by Phoenix’s libraries! Students create an online account, read twenty minutes a day, and track their progress to win prizes. Maintaining a summer reading habit is a great way to get involved with your local library and prevent learning loss over the summer. For more information, visit maricopacountyreads.org!
SEMESTER 2 FINAL EXAM REMINDERS
Semester 2 Final Exams are scheduled for Monday, May 18- Thursday, May 21.
Textbooks
Students must bring school issued textbooks to turn in to each class this coming week during final exams!
Final exams are a culmination of the material students have learned through the entirety of the first semester and account for 10% of a student’s final grade in each course. Please schedule appointments and vacations outside of the final exam testing window.
Students who miss a final exam due to illness with a doctor’s note will make up any missed final exams the first week of summer break, on a given date. Unexcused absences or illness without a doctor’s note will result in the score of a zero for any missed final exam.
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL & STUDENT CELL PHONES
Students will not have access to lockers on the last day of school. While it is highly recommended that students do not bring cell phones to school, if your child must bring their phone, it will be checked in to their sixth period teacher at 8:05AM, safely stored, and returned at 12:15PM.
2026-2027 HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT
We are excited to announce our annual 2026-2027 High School Retreat to Lost Canyon for rising 9th – 12th graders! Seniors will depart from Glendale Prep to Lost Canyon on Tuesday, September 1 for a 1 day/1 night senior retreat to then welcome 9th-11th grade students on September 2. All high school students will return to Glendale Prep on Friday, September 4.
*Detailed pricing and date increases available on the payment portal
2026-2027 SCHOOL SUPPLIES & CONSUMABLES
Students at Glendale Prep are asked to purchase both school supplies (materials purchased by parents, or our outside vendor) and consumables (purchased on our Parent Payment Portal).
The Parent Payment Portal Is Open!
As we prepare for the upcoming school year, several items are now available in the Parent Payment Portal. We know it can feel like a lot, so here’s a quick guide to what each fee covers:
• Consumables: These are the workbooks and materials students write in and use throughout the year. Because they are written in, they cannot be reused or returned.
• Classics to Keep: These are the literature books students will read and annotate throughout the year (6–8 in Literature & Composition and 9–12 in Humane Letters). These books become part of your student’s personal Great Books collection.
• Field Trip Fees: These cover the cost of grade-level educational trips that enhance classroom learning experiences.
• Yearbook: Capture and celebrate the memories of the school year.
• House Fees: Supports our House system and includes a House t-shirt plus supplies for our twice-a-year Field Day competitions and activities.
We hope this breakdown helps clarify each item! Please reach out to the front office if you have any questions, we’re happy to help.
IN ADDITION…
If you’d like to save time, we have partnered with 1st Day School Supplies this year to offer parents a one-stop-shop for all 26-27 school supplies.
Purchase by June 15. All supplies will be conveniently delivered to your door.
2026-2027 FIELD TRIPS
You will see the 26-27 field trip fees vary by grade level next year. Here is what we have in store for students in the coming school year:
6th Grade – Lake Pleasant Center
Students will enjoy a day of outdoor exploration and team-building at Lake Pleasant. Activities are designed to encourage collaboration, curiosity, and a love for nature in a fun, structured environment.
7th Grade – Riparian Preserve
This field trip offers students a hands-on look at local ecosystems and wildlife at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch. Through guided exploration, students will deepen their understanding of conservation and Arizona’s unique habitats.
8th Grade – Pink Jeep Tour Sedona
Students will experience the beauty of Sedona on a guided Pink Jeep Tours adventure. This exciting trip combines both geology and local history for a memorable learning experience.
9th Grade – MIM Phoenix
Students will visit the Musical Instrument Museum to explore music and culture from around the world. Interactive exhibits provide a unique opportunity to connect history, geography, and the arts.
10th Grade – Flagstaff Day Trip (Destination TBD)
This day trip to Flagstaff will offer students a chance to explore Northern Arizona’s natural beauty and cultural sites. Final destination details will be shared soon, but the day will focus on enrichment and community building.
11th Grade – iFLY Scottsdale
Students will experience the thrill of indoor skydiving at iFLY Scottsdale while exploring basic principles of physics and flight in this safe, supervised setting.
12th Grade – Senior Trip to Washington DC & Quarterly Senior Mini Retreats
In addition to our March trip to Washington DC, GP seniors will enjoy a series of relaxed outings including a day of leadership and community at the HS retreat in Williams, AZ before the remaining high schoolers arrive, a coffee shop morning with a service project for the community, among other experiences. These mini retreats are designed to celebrate their final year together and create lasting memories as a class while serving the GP and greater community.
ROBOTICS IS RECRUITING
The Robotics Program is currently recruiting for next season for the 8th-12th program and seeking any adults with engineering backgrounds that wish to become mentors. Please go to the following website to learn more and apply, or reach out to Mr. Roper at broper@glendaleprep.org for more information.
CHESS CLUB
For the first time in Glendale Prep history, we will be offering interscholastic chess through AIA, starting in the upcoming 2026-2027 school year! Membership is open to all incoming high school students, and the chess season starts promptly in August. If you are in participating, please submit an interest form here: https://forms.gle/CfY3CnenESCjjRMY6
If you have any questions about chess at GP, please contact Mr. Kilcup, mkilcup@glendaleprep.org
VOLUNTEER CLEARANCE REMINDERS
As the school year comes to a close and we begin to prepare for the 2026-27 school year, the Great Hearts Security Team would like to share a few reminders regarding volunteer clearance:
1. If you were approved to volunteer this school year, please note your application approval is valid for one-year from the date of approval. For example, an application approved on 6/1/2026 will expire on 6/1/2027.
2. The Raptor system will send a reminder email 60 days prior to your application expiration date and again five days before expiration.
3. If you obtained a Fingerprint Clearance card this year as part of your volunteer approval, Great Hearts still requires you to complete a new Raptor application annually based on your application expiration date. If necessary, your Fingerprint Clearance card information may be used to support approval of future applications through the card’s expiration date.
Please direct any questions regarding the volunteer process, or your specific application, to volunteerclearance@greathearts.org.
NOTE FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE
If your student currently has medication in the Health Office, please remember to pick it up by the last day of school. Medication has to be picked up by an adult and will not be sent home with the students. Please reach out with any questions.
ATHLETICS
SPRING SPORTS AWARD VIDEO
Boys Track & Field
Congratulations to the high school boys track & field team on winning the state championship last weekend! This is the first team state championship for the boys track & field program in school history!
COLLEGE COUNSELING
University of Arizona Summer Engineering Academy
Still figuring out your summer plans? What if you could spend part of it learning about what engineers do? The University of Arizona Summer Engineering Academy is calling all curious minds, problem-solvers, and future innovators! Whether you dream of building bridges, coding the next big app, or exploring how things work behind the scenes, this is your chance to dive in. And the best part is it is not too late to sign up! Spots are still available, so don’t miss your chance to turn your summer into something extraordinary. For more information, use this link.
ASU Summer Programs
ASU has an incredible lineup of summer opportunities for students of all interests. Whether your student is interested in engineering, art and design, business, computer science, health and medical, STEM, or language arts, ASU has a program for them. Please check out the various programs at: https://eoss.asu.edu/access/programs/summer/search
Book Club – First Read is Atomic Habits
Our final meeting of the year will be held on Wednesday, May 20th from 7:00–8:00 PM in Room 406. We will be choosing a new book, so come and have a say as to our next great read!
If you and/or your child are interested in joining us, please reach out to Mrs. Sarbacker at ksarbacker@glendaleprep.org. We hope to see you there!
ASU High School Leadership Academy
In partnership with the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum’s White House Decision Center, the ASU Center for American Institutions is excited to invite incoming high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to the High School Leadership Academy on the Arizona State University Tempe campus. This immersive experience challenges students to step into the roles of Harry S. Truman and his top advisors during one of the most pivotal moments in history: deciding how and when to end the war with Japan. Participants won’t just learn about history; they’ll live it. Students will select a cabinet role and collaborate, debate, and make high-stakes decisions in a dynamic simulation that brings the past to life. If you’re ready to think critically, lead boldly, and experience history from the inside out, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. More information is available here.
FAMILY GIVING
Dear Glendale Prep Families,
As we approach the end of another incredible school year, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for your generosity and partnership in supporting our school community.
This year, your contributions through Community Investment and the Arizona Public School Tax Credit have made a meaningful impact on our campus. Because of families like yours, we are able to continue providing an exceptional education and enriching experiences for our scholars. Your support strengthens our classrooms, enhances opportunities for students, and helps our school thrive.
As we near the end of our fiscal year on June 30, 2026, there is still an important need for additional support. Every gift, no matter the size, directly impacts our school and helps bridge the gap in funding for essential needs.
Your support helps provide:
• Resources and support for our outstanding teachers
• Operational funding to sustain excellence across our campus
• Curriculum and classroom materials that enrich student learning
Whether through a one-time gift or a monthly recurring donation, your generosity makes a lasting difference in the daily experience of our scholars and faculty.
As we close out this school year, we invite you to consider making a gift to support our mission before June 30. Together, we can continue investing in the excellence and community that makes our school so special.
Thank you again for your partnership, generosity, and commitment to our students. We are grateful for all you do to help our school flourish. Please use this link to make your tax-deductible gift to Community Investment.
With gratitude,
Tammy Kempton
Family Giving Officer
CONTACT INFORMATION
Jenny Haley, Office Manager
JHaley@glendaleprep.org
GLENDALE PREP ATTENDANCE
623.889.0822
Option 4
attendance@glendaleprep.org