Celebrating Culture and Community: NHA Schools Honor Hispanic Heritage Month
NHA Communications TeamNHA Communications Team
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At National Heritage Academies (NHA®), we know that celebrating culture and diversity helps students feel seen, valued, and connected. Across our network, schools are finding creative ways to honor Hispanic Heritage Month.
Vista Charter Academy and North Oak Academy were just two of many NHA schools that held celebrations that beautifully reflected NHA’s commitment to community and inclusion.
At Vista Charter Academy, students transformed their hallways into galleries of color and creativity with Hispanic Heritage murals.
EL At-Risk Teacher Ashley Bak asked students how they wanted to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month.
“Many students had creative ideas, and one of those was creating Hispanic Heritage Murals,” said Bak. “Each classroom was given a copy of the mural, and every student decorated one piece. When we put them all together, the murals reflected everyone’s effort and pride.”
Over 400 students participated, and the results now brighten Vista’s hallways. “I’ve caught many students stopping to admire their work,” Bak shared. “Some can’t wait to show their parents during conferences.”
The project was just one part of a month-long celebration that included crowns for younger grades, influential Hispanic leader pennants for upper grades, a Hispanic Heritage Recipe Book featuring family dishes, and a schoolwide game of La Lotería to wrap up the month.
“We wanted to provide different opportunities for our Vista community,” Bak said. “These projects connect students, families, and cultures in meaningful ways.”
NHA’s newest school, North Oak Academy hosted its very first Hispanic Heritage Night, and it was a joyful evening that blended academics with cultural celebration.
Held alongside Curriculum Night, families began by visiting classrooms where teachers shared curriculum highlights and answered questions about what students will be learning this year. Then, the evening came alive with student performances, including traditional hat dances and instrumental music from fifth graders.
“The energy was incredible,” said Admissions Representative Rayna Ortiz. “Families enjoyed Hispanic treats, explored cultural displays, and posed for photos together. It was a night filled with laughter, pride, and connection.”
As one of NHA’s newest schools, this event was a milestone moment for North Oak Academy, showcasing its commitment to celebrating diversity and creating space for families to connect. “It really set the tone for the kind of community we’re building here,” Ortiz added.
Moral Focus virtues are at the heart of the NHA curriculum and these celebrations at Vista and North Oak are examples of respect, gratitude, and community in action.
By giving students and families opportunities to share their heritage, these schools modeled what it means to respect one another’s stories, express gratitude for cultural contributions, and build a stronger community together.
About National Heritage Academies
National Heritage Academies (NHA®) is a network of more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school. For more information, visit nhaschools.com. To find a charter school near you, use the NHA school finder.
Vista Charter Academy and North Oak Academy were just two of many NHA schools that held celebrations that beautifully reflected NHA’s commitment to community and inclusion.
Vista Charter Academy: Building Pride Through Collaborative Murals
At Vista Charter Academy, students transformed their hallways into galleries of color and creativity with Hispanic Heritage murals.
EL At-Risk Teacher Ashley Bak asked students how they wanted to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month.
“Many students had creative ideas, and one of those was creating Hispanic Heritage Murals,” said Bak. “Each classroom was given a copy of the mural, and every student decorated one piece. When we put them all together, the murals reflected everyone’s effort and pride.”
Over 400 students participated, and the results now brighten Vista’s hallways. “I’ve caught many students stopping to admire their work,” Bak shared. “Some can’t wait to show their parents during conferences.”
The project was just one part of a month-long celebration that included crowns for younger grades, influential Hispanic leader pennants for upper grades, a Hispanic Heritage Recipe Book featuring family dishes, and a schoolwide game of La Lotería to wrap up the month.
“We wanted to provide different opportunities for our Vista community,” Bak said. “These projects connect students, families, and cultures in meaningful ways.”
North Oak Academy: A Night of Learning and Celebration
NHA’s newest school, North Oak Academy hosted its very first Hispanic Heritage Night, and it was a joyful evening that blended academics with cultural celebration.
Held alongside Curriculum Night, families began by visiting classrooms where teachers shared curriculum highlights and answered questions about what students will be learning this year. Then, the evening came alive with student performances, including traditional hat dances and instrumental music from fifth graders.
“The energy was incredible,” said Admissions Representative Rayna Ortiz. “Families enjoyed Hispanic treats, explored cultural displays, and posed for photos together. It was a night filled with laughter, pride, and connection.”
As one of NHA’s newest schools, this event was a milestone moment for North Oak Academy, showcasing its commitment to celebrating diversity and creating space for families to connect. “It really set the tone for the kind of community we’re building here,” Ortiz added.
Moral Focus™ in Action
Moral Focus virtues are at the heart of the NHA curriculum and these celebrations at Vista and North Oak are examples of respect, gratitude, and community in action.
By giving students and families opportunities to share their heritage, these schools modeled what it means to respect one another’s stories, express gratitude for cultural contributions, and build a stronger community together.
About National Heritage Academies
National Heritage Academies (NHA®) is a network of more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school. For more information, visit nhaschools.com. To find a charter school near you, use the NHA school finder.