School News 12/6/25

FINALS WEEK IS COMING SOON!

12/15 through 12/18

Parents, please make sure your scholars are prepared to stay in school until 12/18.  All scholars are required to take their final exams for each class during finals week.  There will not be a test make-up after break, so if your scholar misses their final during this week, they will receive a zero.  

 1. Review your study notes.
Use the night before for simple revision. Don’t look at anything new, review the study notes you have created during your study sessions over the past few days.

 2. Revise topics one by one.

Work your way through your notes, covering topics one by one to ensure you understand the material. If you don’t, go back and find clarity.

 3. Don’t study too late.

Late night cram sessions aren’t a very effective way to study. It may seem like you’re making the most of your time by studying until the last minute, but by not giving your brain a chance to rest you’ll have a harder time remembering the information you studied.

 4. Eat a good healthy dinner.

Giving your mind the brain power it needs is important if you want to do well on your test. That means eating a good meal the night before.

 5. Prepare for the morning.

Gather all the materials you’ll need for your test the next day. Make sure you have extra pens, pencils, erasers, and any tools you need (like a ruler or calculator). Pack everything into your backpack THE NIGHT BEFORE.

 6. Get some exercise.

After spending time reviewing for your test, get some exercise by going outside for a short walk or a bike ride. Getting a little bit of exercise will help reduce any stress you are feeling and recharge your brain.

 7. Give your brain a break.

Take some time before bed to put away your study notes and relax. Read a book, write in a journal, or talk to your family. PUT DOWN THE ELECTRONICS. This will help you wind down before bed, making it easier to get a good night’s sleep.

 8. Get a good sleep.

One of the most important things the night before a test is to get a full night’s sleep so your brain can remember what you’ve studied. Make sure you go to bed at a decent time so you can wake up on test day feeling refreshed and well-rested.

 9. Set your alarm.

Set your alarm so you don’t oversleep the morning of your test. DO NOT BE TARDY. Give yourself some extra time in the morning to eat a healthy breakfast and get ready for the day without feeling rushed.

 10. Know that your instructors love you and are rooting for you through each day. You’ve got this!

THE DRAMA DEPARTMENT’S INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SOCIETY PRESENTS:  

SCHOLAR COUNCIL PRESENTS…DOLLARS FOR DUDS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11th

On Dollars for Duds days, scholars are allowed to wear non-uniform clothing (INCLUDING JEANS) that meet Heritage Standards.  $1.00 for shirt and $1.00 for pants/shorts. Wristbands purchased for participation must be worn on your scholar’s wrist throughout the day.  Dollars for Duds is optional, and scholars do not have to participate. Money raised goes to support Scholar Council and the school activities and dances they support.

Heritage Standard means: no sleeveless or midriff shirts; shorts must be 4″ from the middle of the knee and skirts must come to the middle of the knee; no pants or shorts that are ripped, torn or frayed; no leggings or yoga pants; no inappropriate slogans or symbols on the clothing; and NO SLIPPERS or CROCS.

PAJAMAS ARE ALLOWED FOR THIS ONE!

Scholar Council and school staff reserve the right to send scholars to the office for any dress code issues. Wristbands are available in the front office if your scholar arrives late.  

NJHS SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE

HEROES’ SPORTS 

We had our first dual wrestling meet last week! Our Heroes beat Verde Christian!  See some of the Highlights below:

Photos by Andrea Miller

 CONGRATULATIONS, ANDREW! 

We are thrilled to celebrate Heritage Academy Maricopa senior Andrew Rojas, who has been awarded the prestigious QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship—earning a full four-year ride to Dartmouth College valued at over $300,000!

This life-changing award covers tuition, housing, meals, books, travel, personal expenses, and more—opening the door to one of the most selective universities in the nation.

When Andrew opened his Match decision, the moment was unforgettable. After weeks of nervous anticipation, countless late nights, and the weight of submitting 34 supplemental essays, Andrew said he was “absolutely ecstatic… easily the best day of the year!” He had woken up expecting decisions to arrive later that afternoon, only to find out early in the morning that his results were already posted. 

With his mom and sister beside him, he prayed, opened the portal, and saw one word that changed everything: Dartmouth.
“I jumped from my seat,” he shared. “Sure, I was rejected from my top eight ranked schools first, but I had just received a full ride to an Ivy League! I’m so grateful Dartmouth chose me.”

Andrew’s journey to QuestBridge started almost accidentally—thanks to his brother, Patrick, who encouraged him to apply for the College Prep Scholars Program. Andrew originally hesitated, thinking the work might not be worth it, but that one decision reshaped the course of his future. His new motto? “Complete every opportunity that comes your way—no matter how boring or tedious it may look.”

At Dartmouth, Andrew is exploring two academic paths he has long been passionate about: Criminal Law (on a pre-law track), or Engineering, particularly Aerospace or Electrical Engineering. Long-term, he hopes to either attend another Ivy League law school and become a criminal defense attorney—or enter the engineering world with companies such as Lockheed Martin or Boeing.

Andrew also expressed deep gratitude to the mentors and supporters who guided him throughout the process. He thanked Mr. Hamblin, Ms. Oosthuizen, and Miss Bocchinfuso for their thoughtful letters of recommendation—with Ms. Oosthuizen also reviewing all 34 of his supplemental essays—and Ms. Brems for providing valuable feedback to his application as well. He also credits Mr. Wong from A+ for inspiring his leadership growth and influencing the direction of his main college essay. Most personally, Andrew thanked his brother, Patrick Rojas, whose peer recommendation and early encouragement to pursue QuestBridge played a pivotal role in shaping Andrew’s path to Dartmouth.  

Please join us in celebrating Andrew on this extraordinary achievement.
We are so proud of you, Andrew—and we cannot wait to watch you shine at Dartmouth and beyond! 

12/8 – Mrs. Boger

12/16 – Mrs. Ford

12/18 – Ms. Pepper

12/23 – Ms. Sorenson

12/23 – Mr. Creighton

12/27 – Ms. Fairbanks

OUR 2026-2027 DRAFT Calendar is now available CLICK HERE

We are thrilled to announce that Heritage is going to PUERTO RICO over Spring Break!

This unforgettable educational experience is open to all high school scholars, and it offers a unique blend of science, culture, language, and adventure in one of the most vibrant and historically rich destinations in the U.S.

Imagine your sscholars exploring rainforests, coastal ecosystems, and historic Old San Juan, all while practicing Spanish in an immersive, real-world setting and engaging in scientific discovery firsthand!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP

CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP