Great Hearts Harveston Welcomes Students for First Day of School – Including the First Freshman Class

The first day of school at Great Hearts Harveston in Baton Rouge was filled with a mix of warm reunions and new beginnings as students returned from summer break to kick off the academy’s third school year. This year brought another historic milestone for the campus with the addition of 9th grade, welcoming the school’s very first class of high school students as it takes its next steps toward becoming a full K–12 academy by 2028.

“The first day of school felt like the beginning of a new chapter at Great Hearts Harveston. With clearer systems and shared understandings, we’re off to a strong start,” shared Head of School Drew Thomas, adding how wonderful it was to see the community reconnect. “It was heartwarming to see students reunite with friends—many with hugs—and to welcome so many new faces, including new teachers and classrooms.”

The arrival of the freshman class brought new and returning faces along with new opportunities for learning, including the introduction of Humane Letters, a foundation of a Great Hearts education. This signature class offers high school students the chance to engage in Socratic seminars centered on the Great Books, challenging them to think deeply, speak thoughtfully, and grow in wisdom and virtue.

“The first day is always a fresh start, but I was especially impressed by how much our students retained over the summer, from Spalding hand motions to hallway routines,” added Thomas. “I’m eager to continue visiting classrooms, witnessing moments of excellence, and reflecting those back as we work together to build a strong, joyful, and classical culture.”

As families look ahead to the months to come, excitement is high for all students, from kindergartners taking their first steps into a classical education to the inaugural freshman class beginning their high school journey. The first day set the tone for a year of meaningful learning, friendship, and growth at Great Hearts Harveston.

Families interested in joining the Great Hearts Harveston community are encouraged to start with an on-campus visit where you can watch a Socratic seminar unfold, hear the kindergarten chorus sing “America the Beautiful,” and speak with students who will tell you why they treasure this place. Should you decide to join us, you will join a community devoted to guiding young souls toward Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. It’s a journey that begins with curiosity in kindergarten and culminates in wisdom at graduation, then extends, we hope, into every corner of a life well lived.

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Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/.