Academic Calendar 

The academic calendar marks key events, such as no-school days and the first and last days of the school year. 

Arrival and Dismissal

For safety reasons, K-5 scholars must always be dropped off and picked up by a parent or guardian, an authorized adult, or an authorized older sibling on the school’s pickup list. Elementary school scholars may not travel to or from school in a taxicab, in a van with a driver, on the bus or subway, or on foot without a parent or guardian or authorized older sibling. 

Authorized adults and siblings must be on the school’s pickup list and show a photo ID. To make any changes to the pickup list, a parent or guardian must contact the Main Office at least 24 hours in advance of a pickup. 

Arrival 

Parents, guardians, authorized adults, or authorized siblings must bring scholars to the arrival door at school. Scholars will wait in a line monitored by staff in order to enter the building. Arrival ends at 7:45 a.m. During arrival, staff members will be available at the entrance for family support. Your scholar’s school will provide specific guidance around their procedures for late arrivals. If you are dropping off a scholar late, please walk them to the Main Office to pick up a late pass, and then walk them to their classroom to hand it to the teacher. Please reach out to your school’s Main Office with any questions.

Dismissal

We will dismiss at 3:45 p.m., except on Wednesdays, when scholars dismiss at 12:30 p.m. 

Upstairs dismissal will occur when a staff member needs to discuss any pressing safety, academic, or behavioral concerns from the day, or if you need to complete paperwork in the Main Office. 

Late Pickup

Scholars who are not picked up 10 minutes after dismissal time will be considered late. Educators work hard and have families too. If late pickups become a pattern, the school’s leadership will contact you to schedule a meeting to discuss.

Recess 

Just like math and science, recess is a critical part of a scholar’s day. It gives them a break and opportunity to exercise and socialize with their peers. Even in the winter months, we do not stop outdoor play, including when it snows. Scholars love snow! Please make sure that your child comes to school dressed appropriately for the weather so that they can fully enjoy recess.

2023–2024 Doors Open, Arrival, and Dismissal Schedule

If a scholar needs to leave early for any reason, their parent/guardian must contact the Main Office in advance and provide the time that they will pick their scholar up and the reason for early dismissal. 

Note: Arrival and dismissal times are subject to change during special events and activities, such as critical assessment days. This change may include making Wednesday a full day and other days half-days as needed. We will communicate changes with as much advance notice as possible.

Classroom Management

Success Academy elementary schools use a classroom management system called Smart Classroom Management to support scholars so that they independently follow directions and routines in order to maximize the time and attention focused on learning. 

Each classroom uses a “stoplight,” color-coded management system. Every day, scholars start on green. Throughout the day, if scholars are not following instructions, their color may be moved down to yellow or even red. We keep parents regularly informed about behavioral challenges students face in school and we ask for your support.

Middle School 

Our knowledge-rich and immersive middle school program sets students up for success in both high school and college. Our curriculum encourages middle school scholars to think critically, develop and debate ideas, and support ideas with evidence. Our classes are hands-on and collaborative; we strive for mastery and students being able to autonomously do rich, intellectual work.  

Each middle school has a dedicated social-emotional learning (SEL) specialist to support scholars' growth and mental health. Scholars can also explore a variety of enriching electives that serve as critical outlets for creativity and self-expression, and foster self-awareness and independence.

Academic Calendar

The academic calendar marks key events, such as no-school days, early-dismissal days, and the first and last days of school. 

Arrival and Dismissal

As part of our focus on fostering independence in middle school, sixth through eighth-grade scholars can arrive on their own and will be dismissed directly from their classrooms. If a parent or guardian wants to either drop off or meet their child at the end of the day, they may do so, but students are dismissed and parents are responsible for pickup. Our middle schools do not organize dismissal outside. 

Please note that arrival and dismissal times are subject to change during finals, state testing and for special events and activities. These changes may include making Wednesday a full day and other days half-days as needed. Any changes will be communicated in the weekly ACTION Update newsletter.

Recess 

Just like math and science, recess is a critical part of a scholar’s day. It gives them a break and the opportunity to exercise and socialize with their peers. Even in the winter months, we do not stop outdoor play, including when it snows. Scholars love snow! Please make sure that your child comes to school dressed appropriately for the weather so that they can fully enjoy recess.

2023–2024 Doors Open, Arrival, and Dismissal Schedule

If a scholar needs to leave early for any reason, their parent/guardian must contact the Main Office in advance and provide the time that the scholar will leave and the reason for early dismissal. All scholars who leave early must sign out at the Main Office. If the scholar is being picked up by another adult, Success Academy will only release the scholar to those listed on the pickup list. Families can update their pickup list at families.successacademies.org. 

Z Period: Clubs, Teams, and Tutoring

Z Period (starting at 3:30 p.m., after the official school day ends) allows scholars to pursue interests and passions at more advanced and competitive levels. Offerings vary by school, but may include advanced art studio, basketball, chess team, chorus, dance team, debate team, drama club, and track. Z Period clubs and teams are selected through tryouts, auditions, portfolio submissions, or applications — and involve weekend commitments for games, tournaments, competitions, and performances. Scholars must meet club eligibility requirements to participate in overnight trips and tournaments.

During Z Period, Success Academy also provides tutoring and small group instruction for all scholars who need it. 

See Scholar Talent and Enrichment for more information about clubs and teams.

High School

Our goal is to prepare scholars to graduate from college in four years and pursue a life of opportunity and personal fulfillment. Our K-8 program provides the critical foundation — core knowledge, academic skills, and work habits — for a sophisticated collegiate experience. A wide range of electives and clubs — as well as Advanced STEM programming and robust summer experiences — cultivate scholars’ curiosity, critical thinking, and skill in navigating the world around them. 

Learning extends beyond the classroom through field studies, independent research projects, internships, student leadership opportunities, and summer programs to expand horizons, enhance skills, and build confidence and character. Scholars in grades 9-11 have access to a suite of webinars, workshops, and speaker series that will support them in preparing for their college applications. We support families and scholars through the college admissions and financial aid processes, with a ratio of advisors to students rivaling those at other schools. We provide cost-free preparation for PSAT, SAT, and AP exams as part of our curriculum. Explore our high school course directory here.

Academic Calendar

The academic calendar marks key events, such as no-school days, early-dismissal days, and the first and last days of school.

Arrival and Dismissal

Monday–Friday:

• Arrival: 7:20–7:45 a.m.

• Late to Class: 7:48 a.m.

• Dismissal: Dismissal times may vary from day to day based on scholars’ individual commitments. 

If a scholar needs to leave early for any reason, their parent/guardian must contact the Main Office in advance and provide the time that the scholar will leave and the reason for early dismissal. All scholars who leave early must sign out at the Main Office. 

Clubs and Organizations

Clubs and co-curriculars are critical to a scholar's engagement with school and leadership development, and they bolster college applications. Our clubs take place primarily after school. Scholars are encouraged to follow their passions and interests to create inspiring clubs with club advisors who will support their personal growth. See Scholar Talent and Enrichment for more.