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Dear Families:

As we enter November, the season of Thanksgiving invites us to pause amid the busyness of everyday life and reflect on all that we have to be grateful for.

We are reminded daily of our commitment to guiding scholars toward the good, the true, and the beautiful. We see the good in acts of kindness, mentorship, and a supportive school community. We pursue the true through academic excellence, critical thinking, and a love of learning. And we discover the beautiful in moments of creativity, curiosity, and those wonderful "aha!" moments when learning comes to life.

I am especially grateful for our dedicated faculty and staff, who pour their hearts into educating and shaping the character of our scholars, and for our families, whose partnership is such a vital part of our school community. Together, our scholars, families, and educators form the three legs of a strong tripod, each essential to our shared mission. Thank you for reinforcing the good, the true, and the beautiful at home and for partnering with us to nurture both the minds and character of our scholars.

As we celebrate this season, may we remember that gratitude is more than a moment in November—it is a virtue worth practicing throughout the year.

Thank you for being part of our SJCA family. I am truly grateful for each of you!

Warmly,
Mrs. McCullough

Mrs. Hancock’s fourth-grade scholars had a wonderful time getting their hands dirty while exploring the different types of soil! Each scholar brought in a baggie of soil from their own yard to investigate. Our young scientists tested the pH levels of their soil, observed which materials floated in water, and examined their samples for humus (decomposed organic matter).

It was exciting to see the scholars compare their findings and discover just how different soil can be, even within our own backyards! This hands-on experiment was a fun way to bring science to life while encouraging curiosity, observation, and scientific thinking!

Chem I scholars performed an exciting, educational, and delicious in-depth analysis of the fictional element Eminemium, which occurs in 3 isotopes (flavors), each with a differing amount in the sample (specific relative abundance).

They were tasked with measuring the mass of each sample and using the same calculations for atomic mass, they were able to calculate the "atomic mass" of Eminemium, mirroring the actual process used by scientists. The results were very much aligned with all three classes, and the Eminemium particles were disposed of into the appropriate containers when finished (tummies).

Sharing some fun moments from Upper School PE classes -- Our scholars got into the Halloween spirit with a mummy relay race and a ghost tug-of-war! Lots of teamwork, laughter, and fun!

I can hardly believe the month of October is already behind us, and we are starting to feel a touch of fall in the air. The biggest perk of my job is that I get to see inside the classrooms and it has been a joy to witness our scholars' learning and discoveries.

Have you practiced your first poem at home yet? Beginning in kindergarten, our scholars memorize and recite poetry as part of their classical education.

Why do our scholars memorize and recite poetry? Research shows that this practice strengthens memory recall, focus, and language skills, giving children tools they will use across every subject.

Speaking poems aloud also builds confidence in public speaking and helps scholars learn how to communicate with clarity. Just as importantly, memorizing gives them a collection of beautiful words and ideas that shape their imagination and character, providing language they can carry with them for a lifetime.

Recitation isn’t about rote memorization for its own sake — it’s about building the mental tools scholars need to think clearly, speak confidently, and appreciate the beauty of our language.

You can support your child at home by listening to them recite a few lines each night, encouraging them to speak with inflection and clarity, and celebrating their progress.

Some families find it helpful to post the poem on the refrigerator, practice in the car, or take turns reciting lines together. Your encouragement makes a big difference and helps build both skill and confidence.

Written by: Amy Melquist, Dean of Academics K-6

The St. Johns Classical Academy Interact Club is a service-based organization that is affiliated with the Rotary Club. Each year we partner with Wreaths Across America to lay wreaths at veterans' graves before Christmas.

If you would like to purchase a wreath to honor a veteran, please click on the link below. We need all wreaths purchased by 12/02/26 so they can be shipped in time for the wreath laying ceremony on 12/19/26. Thank you for your support!

**For every two wreaths sponsored, an additional free third wreath will be placed at the Jacksonville Memory Gardens on a veteran's grave.​**

https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/166824/Overview/?relatedId=0

The Cross Country team members enjoy a pre-race dinner, provided by Your Pie, before competing for the first time in school history at the District Meet. Thank you to Your Pie Fleming Island for your support!

Winter Pricing is here! Reserve your 2026-2027 yearbooks now for only $60 (+ a service fee). Go to yearbookordercenter.com to order! Prices will increase at the end of February.

You can also now share pictures of school events, such as sports and field trips, for the yearbook using the link below!

https://yearbookshare.com/eShare/?code=sjcalions

FortifyFL is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows you to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials. You can submit a tip anytime. A downloadable training presentation about this tool is available on our website, under FortifyFL.