Emerald Academy opens doors on 10th year with celebration

Starting the school year off on the right foot

By Ken Leinart

High fives, poms poms, and “welcome back” signs – enough good stuff to make even the most school-dreading kid alive break out a smile.

Emerald Academy welcomed back students Monday, July 22, with a sort of “walk of fame,” where scholars were greeted with high fives from the staff, had green and white poms poms shaken over their heads, and were treated to signs telling them how good it was to have them back.

The Monarchs have returned.

Emerald Academy’s 450 kindergarten through eighth grade scholars all got the same treatment.

“Sometimes the kindergarten kids are a little … taken aback,” John Crooks, Emerald Academy Director of Marketing and Communications, said. “They’re not sure what to make of it.”

They’ll get used to it. The welcome line is the way the school has welcomed its scholars for all 10 years of its existence.

Even the most jaded students – the ones walking with their arms folded and a serious look on their faces – break out a smile when a familiar teacher or friend calls their name.

There are two welcome lines the staff and teachers have to work this day. There is the line for the kids brought by parents either by walking or in a car. Then, with a shout of “Pivot!,” staff and teachers swing 90-degrees to welcome kids coming in via school bus.

Nobody misses a beat. No child is left without a welcoming.

Some of the scholars did the routine walk through, hands out slapping as many high fives as they could while walking a brisk pace; some took time to give a high five to every single hand in line; and some stopped for hugs and pats on the back.

And many parents stood outside the line to watch as their child received the greetings.

“The kids love it,” School Director Carlissa Weeks said. “It makes a big difference for our scholars. It sets the tone for the school year and gets us off on the right foot.”

According to its website, Emerald Academy’s mission is to, “Dramatically increase the number of Knoxville students who graduate eighth grade well-prepared for high school and the college of their choice. To achieve this goal, we will create a replicable, model kindergarten through eighth grade school that closes the achievement gap and alters the trajectory of our urban youth. Emerald Academy will prepare our scholars for success through our four pillars: academic excellence, effective teaching, a highly relational culture grounded in high expectations and robust parent and community engagement.”