| A Note from the Headmaster
Hello Glendale Prep Families,
Next week will close out the first quarter of the 2025-2026 school year with parent-teacher conferences and project week. Our students and teachers are eager for their upcoming break, a time of leisure and rest that is much deserved.
Before we pause, I would like to note that our Glendale Prep conferences are more than a review of student progress and letter grades; they are an integral part of our community and a renewal of the partnership between home and school. It is here that parents and teachers reflect upon the work of the past quarter and set thoughtful goals for the quarter ahead. Together, we share in the noble task of forming both intellect and character, guiding our students to love what is true, good, and beautiful. It is here that I hope you witness how much each teacher has come to know your children, and how faithfully we labor alongside you in preparing them to live wisely and virtuously.
We look forward to seeing you all next week!
Mrs. Janssen
Save The Date! Parent Night with guest speaker Katey McPherson
Protecting Human Flourishing in a Digital World
Thursday, October 16 | 7:00PM
Katey will address how families can foster healthy communication and set clear expectations around phone usage, screen time, group texting etiquette, and exposure to explicit content—along with the academic and social impacts of each. We will also share practical resources to help you safeguard your home systems and, more importantly, your children.
We hope you will join us for this vital conversation and partnership in protecting the flourishing of our students. An RSVP link will be sent soon.
Spirit Week
Homecoming Spirit Week, October 13-17, 2025 Glendale Preparatory Academy
If choosing not to participate this week – please arrive in the complete uniform.
Monday, October 13th: Literary and Historical figure day
· Your costume must be of a literary, historical, or scientific figure that is in the GP curriculum.
· Your costume must cover at least the same areas as the GP Spring/Fall uniform: costume tops must cover the same area as the short-sleeve polo (sleeves just above the elbow, no exposed decolletage) and costume bottoms must cover at least the same areas as the GP shorts/skirts (i.e. no shorter than the top of the knee).
· Note: If at any point any piece of the costume becomes a distraction, the student will be asked to remove it.
Tuesday, October 14th: Class color Day
· 6th grade – White, 7th grade – Grey, 8th grade – Light blue
· 9th – Royal Blue , 10th – Yellow, 11th – Hot Pink, 12th- BLACK
· Tops must be solid color.
· Bottoms may be uniform bottoms or jeans (black, denim, or white only).
· Regular uniform shoes are required.
Wednesday, October 15th: Blue and Gold
· Everything blue and gold (shirts/bandanas/socks/earrings)
· Most GP tops will fit the theme; honor our school colors when putting your outfit together.
· Uniform bottoms or jeans (white, denim, or black).
· Regular uniform shoes are required
Thursday, October 16th: Pajama PANTS day (solid t-shirts only) + KICKS
· Full length pajama pants – no pop culture, no political or religious affiliations
· Solid color top – no lettering, no graphics
· Regular uniform shoes or your favorite kicks
Friday, October 17th: House Party!!
· Sport your choice of a school-issued House shirt from any year: Hyrax (green), Lutra (orange), Vulpes (purple), or Falconis (red)
· Uniform bottoms or jeans (black, denim, or white only).
· Regular uniform shoes are required
Saturday, October 18th: High School Homecoming Dance
· Doors open at 6:00 for dress code
· Dance (GP gym): 6:30 to 9:00 pm
· No admission after 6:30 PM
· Payment portal is open and tickets are $20 before 10/15, $25 from 10/15-10/18 (until 5pm), $30 CASH at the door
Project Week
Although Project Week is shorter this year, it is of utmost importance that we continue with the exciting and mentally stimulating tradition.
High school students will enjoy the novel Frankenstein, which will be handed out and started together in class on Monday, September 29th. Students will finish the text independently the remainder of the week.
Subsequently, high school students will celebrate with a High School Symposium on Wednesday, October 15th.
Middle school students will enjoy different works of literature, depending on student grade level. All students must have their own copy of the book in class on Monday, September 29th to begin project week with their classmates. Students will finish project week independently.
6th Grade: Tom Sawyer
7th Grade: The Miracle Worker
8th Grade: Sir Gawain and the Green Night
Middle school students will enjoy seminars on Monday, October 13th.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
If you have not yet signed up, please do so. Sign-ups will close on Monday Sept. 29th at 5:00PM. If you need to make any changes to your time slot after that, you will need to e-mail Mrs. Hayward at jhayward@glendaleprep.org. Parent-teacher conferences are a wonderful opportunity to connect with each one of your child’s teachers face to face. Our hope is that all families will make these a priority as we work to strengthen our partnership between school and home.
High School Homecoming Dance
We are excited to host the Homecoming Dance for all high school students on Saturday, October 18th 2025, from 6:30PM to 9:00PM (doors open at 6PM), in the GP Gym. The theme is “Thank you for the Friendship!”
This event is reserved for GP high school students only. Get your tickets on the Payment Portal.
Tickets are $20 until Wednesday, October 15th 2025. After this date, the price will increase to $25. It will be $30 at the door.
For more information, please contact the event-leader Madame Cognet-Pereira: ccognet-pereira@glendaleprep.org.
All-Star Faculty Basketball Game
Family Giving
Did you know many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match charitable contributions made by their employees? That means your gift to our school could go twice as far! It’s easy to check: Use this link to visit our Corporate Matching page. Simply enter your employer’s name in the box below and click Search. If your company offers a matching gift program, their name will appear. Then click for details and see how you can make an even greater difference for our students and teachers!
Together, we can double the support for our school community! Questions? Please reach out to Tammy Kempton, Family Giving Officer, at tkempton@glendaleprep.org.
College Counseling
College Essay Writing Workshops
Mrs. Sarbacker will be hosting workshops for all seniors who have college essays to complete. This resource is available to all seniors who wish to work on their essays and gain input from Mrs. Sarbacker. We will meet in Room 203 on :
- Monday, September 29 (3:05 – 5:00 pm)
- Tuesday, September 30 (3:30 – 5:00 pm)
- Monday, October 13 (3:05 – 5:00 pm)
PSAT – October 22nd
We will be providing all sophomores and juniors with the opportunity to take the PSAT test on Wednesday, October 22nd at 8:15AM. This test is a predictor test for the SAT. For juniors it is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship competition. Although only scores from the junior year are considered for the National Merit Scholarship competition, we also offer it for sophomores. Taking the PSAT is a good opportunity for students to become familiar with both the PSAT and the SAT. One great resource is The Official SAT Prep on Khan Academy. Although it is geared toward the SAT, the testing questions are very similar. Additionally, students will receive log in information to their Blue Book accounts, where they can access practice tests, before leaving for break next Tuesday. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Sarbacker at ksarbacker@glendaleprep.org.
Free ACT Practice Test
Great Hearts has partnered with Revolution Prep to offer a free practice tests for the ACT on Saturday, November 13th from 9:00AM – 12:30PM. It is an online test, and you can register by using this QR code:
You can also visit www.revolutionprep.com/partners/138390
AP Deadline
If you plan on signing your student up for an AP exam (offered in May 2026), the priority deadline is November 2nd. You will be able to register after this date, but the price of the exam will increase from $100 to $140 and the final deadline is March 1, 2026. If interested please use this link. You will also find a list of the exams Great Hearts is offering through the link.
College Rep Visits
All college rep visits are open to all high school students. Students are encouraged to attend to learn about different colleges and to ask questions. Next week we will have the following schools visiting our campus during first Lyceum in Room 409:
- Tuesday October 14th: Wabash College
“Founded in 1832, Wabash is a private liberal arts college whose mission is to educate men to think critically, act responsibly, lead effectively, and live humanely.” To learn more, please use this link.
- Monday, October 19th: Hillsdale College
“Hillsdale College is a small, Christian, classical liberal arts college in southern Michigan that operates independently of government funding. Our students come from nearly all of the United States and a dozen foreign countries, and drawn to the challenge of a Hillsdale education, they grow in heart and mind by studying timeless truths in a supportive community dedicated to the highest things.” To learn more, please use this link.
- Tuesday, October 20th: Highpoint University
“High Point University, located in North Carolina, is a premier institution with a diverse student body representing 37 countries and 50 states. The university offers a values-based education focusing on instilling important virtues like civility, hard work, and academic excellence. High Point University provides a supportive environment with a 95% on-campus living rate and a top-ranked security department. Students benefit from a unique academic experience with engaging professors and success coaches dedicated to their holistic development. The university offers merit-based scholarships through programs like Presidential Scholars and High Point Scholars, along with a vibrant campus life featuring Division I sports teams, club sports, and intramural options. High Point University stands out for its commitment to community service, with students actively engaging in giving back through various initiatives. Overall, High Point University offers a transformative educational experience that prepares students for success in both their personal and professional lives.” To learn more, please use this link.
- Friday, October 24th: Creighton University
“Creighton University is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and our Phoenix healthcare education campus expands our impact. We offer a top-ranked education in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition, where academic excellence meets a supportive community. With nine schools and colleges…students don’t just prepare for careers—they become leaders dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the world.” To learn more, please use this link.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is Hosting an Admissions Information Meeting
If you are interested in learning more about what Embry-Riddle has to offer, please consider attending. This event is open to prospective students and their families. Saturday, Sept. 27th at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort from 1-2:30PM.
Hilton Scottsdale Resort in the Kiva Ballroom
6333 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Saturday, Sept. 27th from 1:00PM – 2:30PM
Please RSVP at: https://erau.edu/admissions-events
Mr. David Hernandez, the Phoenix Admissions Officer for the Prescott campus will be giving a multimedia presentation discussing Embry-Riddle’s world-class STEM-focused degree programs, career outcomes, scholarships/financial aid, etc. There will also be an extensive Q&A session after the presentation with Admissions staff, current students, parents, and alumni.
As a special guest, Prescott 2016 graduate Arthur Barriault (SpaceX Senior Space Operations Engineer) will be sharing about how Embry-Riddle helped him reach this history-making aerospace organization.
Athletics
Athletic Sponsorship Information
For information to become an athletic sponsor, please reach out to Tammy Kempton (tkempton@archwayglendale.org) or John Kontak (jkontak@glendaleprep.org). For families that have a business, this is a great opportunity to have visibility in the gym with a banner!
Fall Sports Participation Fee Links
All fall sports are off and running! The participation fee links are live on the payment portal. Please take care of your student-athletes participation fee as soon as possible.
Middle School: Middle School Participation Fee Link
High School: High School Participation Fee Link
Athletics Website
Check out the GP athletics website (https://greatheartsglendaleathletics.org/) for all information regarding schedules, GP athletics, fan gear/apparel, registration information and much more!
Powderpuff Football Game
The Powderpuff football game will be on Wednesday, October 15th at 7:30PM on the field. This is for 9th-12th grade girls who will play a flag football game in class teams. Participants can purchase their game shirt using the following link on the payment portal: https://glendaleprep.configio.com/pd/2218/2025-powderpuff-game-t-shirt-order. Each grade level (9-12) will have a different color shirt to wear during the game. Shirts will be ordered on October 2nd, so make your order soon!
Athletic and Extracurricular Activity Eligibility
Athletics and extracurriculars are mutually supportive, interdependent pillars of the education of student-athletes at the Academy. Both exist to enrich students in their capacity to pursue virtues such as diligence, selfless teamwork, and responsibility. When students are deficient in their academic responsibilities, they will become temporarily ineligible to participate in athletics or extracurricular activities, with the hope that this period will help them resolve the academic shortcomings.
Grades will be checked on a weekly basis. Students with two deficient grades (D’s) or one failing grade (F) are considered ineligible. After a student and their parents/guardians is/are informed of ineligibility, the student will sit out of games, practices, team activities, competitions, or shows for one full week. During the ineligibility period, it is suggested that students speak to their teachers about the deficiencies, attend tutoring, complete all their homework while demonstrating strong participation in class. Eligibility will be reinstated after one week of ineligibility. If a student continues to earn low grades, a second week of practice and games will be missed; information will be communicated to parents/guardians and the student.
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