Greyhound Connect-Back to School

Hello Greyhounds!

I hope you’ve had a restful, joyful summer. The energy at Grove City High School is building as we prepare to welcome our new and returning students for the 2026–2027 school year!

While we remain dedicated to our rich tradition of Greyhound excellence, we are also excited to introduce new traditions this year starting with our seniors painting their parking spots and continuing to welcome students with our back to school celebration on the first day of school, Wednesday, August 19.

We are eager to welcome our incoming 9th graders to the Greyhound family. We cannot wait to see you for Freshman Orientation on Tuesday, August 11, where you'll get time to explore your new home. Please refer to the detailed information sent via email.

We will have an Open House on Monday, August 17, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM for all students, grades 9-12. Students and families will have the opportunity to walk schedules, handle transportation details, explore clubs, and grab dinner at the food trucks!

At GCHS, 4665 Hoover Road is home. Because our students spend so much time here, our team works tirelessly to foster a warm, high-energy environment. Our students drive every decision we make. Whether through engaging classroom instruction or the energy of Friday Night Lights, my priority is ensuring every Greyhound thrives.

Looking forward to an incredible year together,

Tara Thompson
Principal

For the 2026–2027 school year, the SWCS Board of Education has waived the $10 general instructional fee for families, so materials will be provided free of charge. However, our students often find that they prefer to come to school prepared with their own supplies to support organization and readiness for learning. For more advanced high school and career-technical course fees, see below for the 2026–2027 fee schedule.

To ensure a smooth start to the school year, any NEW Students and ALL FRESHMAN students are required to sign up to receive their Chromebook using the link provided below. This process allows us to efficiently prepare devices and have them ready for distribution. Please take a few minutes to complete the sign-up form as soon as possible to avoid any delays.

Chromebooks are an essential part of daily instruction, and having this step completed in advance will help your student be fully prepared for the first day of school.

For the 2026–2027 school year, locker assignments will be offered on an “opt-in” basis. Over the past several years, we have found that the majority of students no longer utilize their lockers on a regular basis. In an effort to better align with student needs and streamline our processes, lockers will only be assigned to students who request one. Please use the opt-in form below if you would like a locker for the upcoming school year.

All students entering 7th grade are required to be vaccinated with one (1) dose of meningococcal vaccine prior to the start of the school year. All students entering the 12th grade are required to be vaccinated with two (2) doses of meningococcal vaccine prior to the start of the school year.

Parents must provide proof of the meningococcal immunization to their child’s middle or high school on or before the first day of school in August.

All Ohio public schools are required to enforce updated expectations for student electronic device use. In alignment with state law and SWCS Board of Education policy, GCHS is fully enforcing these expectations during the 26/27 school year to support focused, respectful, and safe learning environments. This policy includes cell phones, AirPods, wireless headphones, Meta glasses, and smartwatches (when used for purposes other than telling time).

What families should know:

• If students need to contact home during the school day, they should do so through the school office. Families who need to contact their child may call 614-801-3300.

• The policy is in effect daily from 8:00–3:20 and applies to students on lockout while still in the building.

• To support our electronics policy, the following enforcement steps will be implemented:

  • First offense: The device will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the school day.

  • Second offense: The device will be confiscated, and a guardian must come to the school to pick it up. The office is open from 7:30–4:00 for guardian pick-up.

  • Third offense: A personalized electronics plan will be created with the student and their guardian to address ongoing concerns and ensure future success in maintaining a focused learning environment. Guardian pick-up of the device is also required. The office is open from 7:30–4:00 for guardian pick-up.

You should have received notice about the annual update of information required for all families on Infinite Campus in your email. Every family must complete this information before school starts on August 19th.

The Success Beyond the Classroom (SBC) Foundation was created to raise and award scholarship monies to South Western City Schools (SWCS) students to help offset the cost of participation fees (P2P) for athletics and marching band. Participation fees for middle school and high school athletics and marching band were instituted during the 2009-2010 school year. The fees are applied to each student, per activity, with a cap per family.

SBC scholarships are awarded in varying amounts, covering up to 75% (maximum) of the corresponding participation fee. Students can apply for a SBC scholarship by completing an application and returning it to their school’s athletic director or mailing it directly to SBC before the established due dates indicated on the application.

**Turn in to the school’s athletic director (high school) or assistant principal (middle school)**

SBC Application deadlines for the 2026-2027 school year:

• July 24, 2026 – Fall Sports SBC Applications Due
• October 30, 2026 – Winter Sports SBC Applications Due
• February 26, 2026 – Spring Sports SBC Applications Due

2026

8/11- Freshmen Orientation

8/17- Open House (4:30-6:30)

8/19- First Day of School for ALL Students in Grades 4-12

9/7- No School (Labor Day)

10/3- Homecoming Dance

10/15- End of 1st Nine Weeks

10/16- No School (Professional Day)

10/22- PSAT Testing

11/3- No School (Election Day)

11/19-11/22- Fall Play

11/25-11/27- No School (Thanksgiving Break)

12/16-12/18- 1st Semester Exams

12/21-1/1- No School (Winter Break)

2027

1/8- End of 2nd Nine Weeks

1/18- No School (MLK Day)

1/19- No School (Professional Day)

2/15- No School (Presidents Day)

3/12- End of 3rd Nine Weeks

3/22-3/26- No School (Spring Break)

3/29- No School (Professional Day)

5/4- No School (Election Day)

5/14- Prom

5/26-5/28- 2nd Semester Exams

5/28- End of 4th Nine Weeks & Last Day of School for Students

5/30- Graduation for the Class of 2027

2026-2027 Food Services meal prices are as follows for breakfasts and lunches.

Breakfast- $1.00

Lunch- $3.00

Principal: Tara Thompson

Assistant Principal: Brittany Kimbleton

Assistant Principal: Brady Stewart

Assistant Principal & Athletic Director: Scott Todd

Main Office: (614) 801-3300

Fax: (614) 871-6563

Website

Location: 4665 Hoover Road Grove City, Ohio 43123