NHA Schools Spread Holiday Cheer Far and Wide
NHA Communications TeamNHA Communications Team
Articles by NHA Communications Team
-
NHA Schools Spread Holiday Cheer Far and Wide
Published: Jan 08, 2026
-
30th Anniversary Spotlight: Tina Prichard from Startup to Lasting Impact
Published: Jan 08, 2026
-
Reflection: A Simple Way to Help Your Child Build Confidence
Published: Dec 18, 2025
-
Brooklyn Scholars, Riverton Families Explore High School Options in New York City
Published: Dec 18, 2025
The holidays brought times of celebration and gathering for many National Heritage Academies® (NHA) partner-schools and the families they serve. From door decorations to chess competitions, there were a variety of ways schools celebrated the holiday season. Below are some highlights from the month of December.
East Arbor Charter Academy
Students and staff at East Arbor Charter Academy got into the holiday spirit and made a video in anticipation for the break. We hope all their holiday dreams came true this past year. Great journalism, scholars!
You can watch the clip here.
Quest Charter Academy
This year at Quest Charter Academy, Santa and the Grinch made an appearance. Students and staff joined in the fun and wore either red or green for the event. The pesky Grinch hid in random spots throughout the building, allowing each grade level the opportunity to find the Grinch with given clues and riddles. What a special way to spread holiday cheer.

Wake Forest Charter Academy
Santa Claus came to town at Wake Forest Charter Academy. The week before winter break, scholars received the ultimate surprise—a visit from Santa himself, who flew in by helicopter! The Wake Forest Police Department and Wake Forest Fire Department aided Santa on his trip and made the experience possible for our students. Proof that teamwork does make the dream work.
Doors, Doors, Galore!
Atlanta Heights Charter School, Mill Creek Academy, Brooklyn Dreams Charter School and many more got into the holiday season with door decoration competitions. Staff members decorated their doors with festive theming, bringing the joy of the season to the threshold of their classrooms.
Paramount Charter Academy
Scholars and their families gathered at Paramount Charter Academy for a Merry Mathmas event. Reindeer straight from the North Pole visited the school. All were able to enjoy music from a live band, participate in Christmas math games, take pictures with Santa, and even have a little reindeer chow to nibble on.

Paramount also held their annual Elf Fun Run this year, where scholars were tasked with running as many laps as possible. They were treated afterwards with hot chocolate and candy canes. Students and staff dressed in elf costumes for the event, which also served as a fundraiser for the school.

South Arbor Charter Academy
South Arbor Charter Academy hosted their fourth annual Holiday Chess Championship on December 12th. This tournament determines the top five chess players in the intermediate and middle school hallways. More than 80 scholars competed this year, the most yet. Congratulations to all the scholars that participated.

PrepNet Virtual Academy
PrepNet Virtual Academy helped Santa and his Elves at the Great Lakes Crossing Outlets. Every family that came to get their picture taken with Santa between November 1 and Christmas Eve received a PrepNet brochure and information about the school.

Warrendale Charter Academy
This year, Warrendale Charter Academy’s PTA hosted their first fundraiser, the Penguin Patch Holiday Shop for families to shop and celebrate the holiday season. Scholars also competed in an ‘ugly sweater’ competition.

Matthews Charter Academy
The third grade scholars at Matthews Charter Academy grabbed their passports and traveled around the world to learn about different winter holiday celebrations and traditions. Countries ‘visited’ were Italy, Mexico, Australia, Canada, and more. Scholars participated in a virtual tour of an airport, a virtual flight simulator, and watched an interview with a pilot. MCA scholars had fun while learning and making memories that will last a lifetime.
About National Heritage Academies
National Heritage Academies (NHA) is a network of 103 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 67,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information, visit nhaschools.com. To find the nearest charter school near you, use the NHA school finder.
East Arbor Charter Academy
Students and staff at East Arbor Charter Academy got into the holiday spirit and made a video in anticipation for the break. We hope all their holiday dreams came true this past year. Great journalism, scholars!
You can watch the clip here.
Quest Charter Academy
This year at Quest Charter Academy, Santa and the Grinch made an appearance. Students and staff joined in the fun and wore either red or green for the event. The pesky Grinch hid in random spots throughout the building, allowing each grade level the opportunity to find the Grinch with given clues and riddles. What a special way to spread holiday cheer.

Wake Forest Charter Academy
Santa Claus came to town at Wake Forest Charter Academy. The week before winter break, scholars received the ultimate surprise—a visit from Santa himself, who flew in by helicopter! The Wake Forest Police Department and Wake Forest Fire Department aided Santa on his trip and made the experience possible for our students. Proof that teamwork does make the dream work.
Doors, Doors, Galore!
Atlanta Heights Charter School, Mill Creek Academy, Brooklyn Dreams Charter School and many more got into the holiday season with door decoration competitions. Staff members decorated their doors with festive theming, bringing the joy of the season to the threshold of their classrooms.
Paramount Charter Academy
Scholars and their families gathered at Paramount Charter Academy for a Merry Mathmas event. Reindeer straight from the North Pole visited the school. All were able to enjoy music from a live band, participate in Christmas math games, take pictures with Santa, and even have a little reindeer chow to nibble on.

Paramount also held their annual Elf Fun Run this year, where scholars were tasked with running as many laps as possible. They were treated afterwards with hot chocolate and candy canes. Students and staff dressed in elf costumes for the event, which also served as a fundraiser for the school.

South Arbor Charter Academy
South Arbor Charter Academy hosted their fourth annual Holiday Chess Championship on December 12th. This tournament determines the top five chess players in the intermediate and middle school hallways. More than 80 scholars competed this year, the most yet. Congratulations to all the scholars that participated.

PrepNet Virtual Academy
PrepNet Virtual Academy helped Santa and his Elves at the Great Lakes Crossing Outlets. Every family that came to get their picture taken with Santa between November 1 and Christmas Eve received a PrepNet brochure and information about the school.

Warrendale Charter Academy
This year, Warrendale Charter Academy’s PTA hosted their first fundraiser, the Penguin Patch Holiday Shop for families to shop and celebrate the holiday season. Scholars also competed in an ‘ugly sweater’ competition.

Matthews Charter Academy
The third grade scholars at Matthews Charter Academy grabbed their passports and traveled around the world to learn about different winter holiday celebrations and traditions. Countries ‘visited’ were Italy, Mexico, Australia, Canada, and more. Scholars participated in a virtual tour of an airport, a virtual flight simulator, and watched an interview with a pilot. MCA scholars had fun while learning and making memories that will last a lifetime.
About National Heritage Academies
National Heritage Academies (NHA) is a network of 103 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 67,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information, visit nhaschools.com. To find the nearest charter school near you, use the NHA school finder.
