LVA kicked off the school year with a brand-new approach: the First-Ever Soft Start! This special start allowed students to ease into the school year, get to know their teachers, explore the building, and feel comfortable before the full student body arrived.
Today’s Welcome:
Today, we welcomed:
- Grades 1–5 (Elementary)
- Grade 6 (Middle School)
- Grades 9 & 11 (High School)
- All newly enrolled students
For our 6th graders, having the entire middle school floor to themselves made navigating the building much easier. Without the usual rush of hundreds of students, they had ample time to find their classrooms, learn how to use their lockers, and get familiar with the layout in a calm and supportive environment.
Soft Start Benefits for Incoming 9th Graders
Incoming 9th graders experienced a special orientation as part of the soft start. During New Student Orientation on Tuesday, August 19th, Student Council members were on hand from 8:00 AM to noon to guide students throughout the day.
Freshmen began in their homerooms, where Student Council volunteers assisted staff and helped students get settled. Throughout the morning, these volunteers were visible in the hallways during class transitions, offering guidance—showing students how to find classrooms, which staircases to use, how to open lockers, and providing support wherever needed.
This soft start allowed freshmen to:
- Become familiar with the high school layout in a calm, low-pressure setting
- Meet their teachers before the full student body arrives
- Learn practical skills like navigating hallways and using lockers
- Build confidence and independence before the school year officially begins
Soft Start for 11th Graders
The soft start also benefits our 11th graders. This is the first year students can choose to study courses under either the Career-related Programme (CP) or the Diploma Programme (DP). The CP is more intensive because, in addition to the four Diploma Programme courses that students study, CP students must complete additional classes to earn a certificate in either Engineering or Biomedical through Project Lead the Way.
Because 11th grade marks the start of this rigorous two-year program, students’ day-to-day tasks will look a little different than 10th grade. The soft start gives them a chance to adjust to their new schedules, meet their teachers, and get comfortable with the expectations of their chosen program—something not needed for 12th grade students, who are already familiar with the DP or CP routines.
Looking Ahead:
Tomorrow, Grades 7, 8, 10, and 12 will join the school for the full start. We’re excited to welcome everyone and look forward to a successful, engaging school year ahead!
Elementary & Kindergarten Soft Start
Grades 1–5 also benefited from today’s soft start. Since each grade in the elementary building is located in either a different hallway or on another floor, this gave students the chance to adjust to their new spaces and routines before the youngest learners arrive.
As always, our kindergarten class has its very own first day of school. This year, they’ll officially begin on Thursday, giving them a special start designed just for them.
The First-Ever Soft Start is just one way LVA is helping students begin their year with confidence and excitement.
We can’t wait to see all of our Jaguars thriving in the year to come!
Lehigh Valley Academy RCS 