Special Visitors Create Opportunity for Connection with Families, Students

Peak Charter Academy families were recently treated to a special evening of inspiration and opportunity.

Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert visited the school and met with families to introduce himself and speak about the things happening in the community. He also spoke to the crowd and emphasized the importance of children identifying their dreams and making them happen.

Peak Admissions Representative and Parent Ambassador Jessica Ibrahim said students were aware of who the mayor was, as his visit was talked about for days leading up to the event.

“During his speech, he emphasized the message ‘Write your own book—you’re the author of your own story,’ and even pointed to individual children in the audience, making it clear that his words were meant directly for them.

“Teachers had also tied his role into their classroom lessons about community members, using his visit as a real-world example. Having him come in person helped make those lessons more meaningful, showing students that civic leaders are approachable and connected to their daily lives.”

In addition to the mayor’s visit, a representative from the Eva Perry Library visited to sign students up for their first library cards. The new experience for the children introduced them to a time-old tradition.


“The children were thrilled to receive their very own library cards. They understood that having a card gave them the independence to check out books tied to their name—with the support of their parents. It was empowering for them to recognize this new responsibility and see how it connects to their love of reading.”

Students were then read a story and encouraged to visit the library to check out some books. It was a great evening for families to connect with community leaders.

“Events like this highlight the strong partnerships we are building and demonstrate our commitment to fostering connections beyond the classroom. It reassures families that Peak is not only focused on academics but also on creating meaningful, diverse experiences that strengthen trust and community engagement.”

Great work making important connections, Peak!
About Peak Charter Academy
Peak Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Apex, North Carolina, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA^®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.

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