Grand River Academy
Austinburg, OH

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Thanksgiving From Grand River Academy 2014

Dear Grand River Academy Community:

As we enter the holiday season, we are thankful for many things.

Grand River Academy is a strong and vibrant learning hub, where young men activate their intellectual, social and emotional potential. The success of our young men could not be possible without the priceless contributions of our friends.

The Board of Trustees, led by Mr. Steve Schoneman, helps guide the school's vision. Recently, the Board of Trustees approved new wording for our mission statement that more accurately reflects the outcomes we look for in our students, noting "Grand River Academy is a college preparatory boarding and day school that helps young men activate their academic, emotional and social potential and prepares them for lifelong success." Also at the October Board of Trustees meeting, adding an eighth grade and purposefully focusing on adding day students was approved. Both very mission-centric initiatives, GRA's program will now be available to more students. To the Board of Trustees - I thank you.

Our current parents, led by Marcy & George Butler and Aimee & Mark Lamendola as leaders of the Parent's Association, are invaluable. All of our current parents provide meaningful feedback, support our program and our faculty and have entrusted us with their most precious possession - their son. To our current parents - I thank you.

Our alumni, past parents, faculty and staff provide the backbone of the GRA legacy, institutional history and a vast network of GRA ambassadors worldwide. To each of these thoughtful members of the extended GRA family - I thank you.

Our friends who consider Grand River Academy when helping a family make an educational decision for their child are essential. To our educational consultant friends all over the world - I thank you.

Our faculty and staff live the mission every day. They instill knowledge. They mentor. They guide. They model. They counsel. They support. Most importantly, they CARE. Caring is what separates GRA from other schools. Whether it is the birthday brownies for an advisee, a trip to Red Lobster, or an arm around the shoulders when a boy is feeling blue, our faculty and staff devote their lives to the success of the students. To the faculty and staff - I thank you.

Lastly, our students are the ones that that make everything we do worthwhile. We are always in awe when we look at the diamond that is formed from when a young man first sets foot on campus and when he receives his diploma.

Grand River Academy is thankful for many things. Our success is only realized with the support from our dedicated Board of Trustees, our committed and caring current parents, the legacies that live within the past parents and alumni, our engaging educational consultants, the faithful and enthusiastic faculty and staff and our strong and determined students.

Happy Thanksgiving to all, far and near!

Onward,
Tim

Grand River Academy is a private boarding school located in Austinburg, Ohio, that serves over 100 young men in grades 9-12.