First Day of School

At the Ron Clark Academy (RCA), school is officially back in session, and it is time to slide into action!   It is a RCA tradition to kick start the new school year with the same passion that permeates the mission of the academy.  As the gates opened, students were greeted by members of the RCA faculty and staff with cheers of praise, support, and a dance step or two.  Kim Bearden, Co-Founder and Executive Director, embraced each student with a big smile, warm hug, and words of encouragement that brightened the hearts of students entering the school. 

Ron Clark, Co-Founder, and Mehari Kassa, Director of Admissions, approached parents’ cars in a true RCA fashion with passion and an enormous amount of fortitude.  Kassa carried many students on his shoulders straight to the RCA gate, symbolic of the support and guidance that students receive at the academy. 

It wouldn’t be the first day at RCA without music, food, and fun.  As students entered the gates, their eyes were fascinated by moon bounces flooding the parking lot, which they proudly used to jump, climb, and slide their way into the new school year!  Students were also greeted by the sweet smells of cotton candy and a breakfast buffet which was catered by our friends from Sweet Potato Eatery in Jonesboro.  A special thanks to Sweet Potato Eatery for providing a true breakfast of champions for our RCA family!  

Once play time was over, the new fifth grade class gathered with Clark in the parking lot to meet prior to entering into the school.  Clark motivated students and shared words of wisdom.   For the fifth graders, the first day provided an opportunity to not only acclimate to RCA, but also to learn which house they will serve.  Clark called each fifth grader's name, one by one, to spin the house wheel.   After each spin, students immediately ran up the stairs to go down the big blue slide for the first time.  Once the wheel stopped, it landed on the house that the new fifth grader is part of during their time at the Academy.  At the end of the slide, their new housemates greeted them with hugs and cheers, welcoming them into their brotherhood of housemates.