It takes a team to launch a school year. I want to thank our team which includes you. Heritage has a motto, “Building America’s Heroes, together.” The “together team” includes Heritage staff, scholars, and families.

Thank you for your support and help.

Quick reminder that fees are due this Friday for invoiced classes and Picture Day is next Monday & Tuesday.

Each week this newsletter will include important upcoming information as well as on campus celebrations. Please take a few minutes to scroll through it, so you can stay informed.

Heritage Academy is an incredible place to be. 

Heidi Udall, Principal

All Course fees for semester 1 and fall sports fees are due TOMORROW Thursday, August 8th.  Payments are made ONLINE ONLY through MySchoolBucks 

2025-2026 COURSE FEES

HOW TO PAY FEES THROUGH MYSCHOOLBUCKS

HOW TO PAY FEES WITH ECA TAX CREDIT FUNDS 

If your scholar has an ECA account credit, this WILL BE applied to any past due invoices.  

Picture Day is coming on Monday, August 11 and Tuesday August 12!  Scholars will go to the Auditorium during their History Class. They will receive their Student ID when their picture is taken.
You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVT8S7XMH. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!
Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day. These flyers are available at the front desk. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on mylifetouch.com.

Parent Helpers Wanted: Help us make the Picture Day smooth and effortless. Reply to this email if you’d like to volunteer at Picture Day.

Senior/Graduation photos — Info coming soon!

🏅 Attention Parents of Student-Athletes!
If your scholar plans to participate in fall, winter, or spring athletics this school year, please read the important information below:

✅ Athletic Registration & Sports Physicals

All scholars joining a competitive sports team must complete two key steps before participating:

1. Register Online with Bound
   All athletic packets must be completed through Bound.
   👉 Click here to create your Bound family account and complete registration

2. Submit a Current Sports Physical
   A sports physical is required for every student-athlete.
   ✔️ Physicals completed this month are valid for the entire 2025–2026 school year (July 2, 2025 – June 30, 2026).
   ✔️ Take care of this now to be set for all sports seasons—fall, winter, and spring!

🧠 Bound Parent Training Session

Need help navigating Bound? Join us for a parent info session:
📅 August 9 | 🕘 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | 📍 Room 3

We’ll walk you through the registration process and answer your questions.

Let us know if you have any questions—we’re here to help you get your scholar ready for an amazing season of athletics!

From Your College Coach, Bob Brown

Welcome back from summer break!  I hope everyone had a wonderful summer.  Below are topics that will be my main focus in a quick month-at-a-glance.

AUGUST – Dual Enrollment 

• College Applications open August 1st
• Here, I will be focusing on getting scholars enrolled for their early college credits in our Dual Enrollment (DE) classes
• New scholars to DE must be admitted to Rio and take the Critical Reading test through EdReady 
  • Step #1:  Complete the First Time Dual Enrollment Application – click here
  • TIP:  have a copy of your high school ID or AZ state ID and birth certificate ready to upload.
  • TIP:  Select Rio Salado College and Heritage Academy Mesa as your college and high school field options.  Once completed, you’ll receive your:
    • Rio MEID (username)
    • Rio 8-digit ID#
    • Rio Password & Security Question
    • Set up Duo Security (it is best to use the scholar’s cell phone #; you can add the parent’s)
    • Be sure to save and know this information for future use and to register for your dual enrollment courses
• Started the admissions process but did not finish – call Rio at 480-517-8080 to find your status and next steps
• Returning DE scholars
  • You may now register for your DE classes.  Click here to see our DE Course List

SEPTEMBER – Senior one-on-one meetings

• Here, I will be focusing on meeting with each senior to discuss “life after high school”.  This is a mandatory meeting.  It is up to the senior scholar to schedule the meeting with me for some time in the month of September.  Parents are welcome to attend the meeting.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER – 9TH through 11TH grade meetings

• Here, the focus will be meeting with scholars and/or parents to ensure they are on track to meet HA graduation requirements and track their associate degree progress
• October – FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens
• October –  The College Funding Coach Webinar (date TBD)
  • Learn how to help pay for college outside of scholarships without dipping into your retirement

Please use this link to schedule with me

IMPORTANT DUAL ENROLLMENT INFORMATION

NOTE – if you are a current senior, be sure to schedule your senior one-on-one appointment with me for sometime in September.  Don’t wait for the last second.

If you are new to dual enrollment, you will need to complete admissions (step 1) to Rio Salado College. Enrollment and Registration Steps here .  If you need any placement tests, I will let you know.

Important links here – login is your MEID@maricopa.edu.  Here, you will be able to upload your birth certificate and photo ID, complete the financial responsibility form, and fill out the Petition for Semester Overload if you are enrolling in more than 18 DE credits in one semester, to name a few.

For those who were approved for Tuition Assistance, I have contacted Rio to enroll you accordingly.

For the rest that indicated they wanted to take part in dual enrollment, I will be emailing Rio soon.  Be on the lookout for emails with tasks to complete (if needed).

Email me at bob.brow@heritageacademyaz.com with any questions. To ensure a timely response be sure to provide the scholar’s 8-digit college ID# (starts with a 3) or indicate new to dual enrollment.  Please leave a detailed message, so I can better serve you.

Thanks,

Bob Brown

We are thrilled to extend a special invitation to our Heritage families with future Heroes! For the third year in a row, Dance Company is hosting our Mini-Heroes Hip Hop Halftime Fundraiser—a fun and high-energy event for children ages 6–11.

Participants will learn a hip hop routine taught by our talented Dance Company scholars and then join them to perform live during halftime at one of our very own Heritage Varsity Football games!

This exciting opportunity allows our Dance Company to share their passion for dance and performance with the next generation of Heroes, all while supporting our football team in a fun and memorable way.

Your child will walk away from this experience with:

• New dance skills

• Increased confidence

• Bragging rights

• And unforgettable memories!

Spots are limited—register today and be part of the fun!

Click Here to Register

Explore. Learn. Grow.
At Heritage Academy, we believe education goes beyond the classroom. That’s why we offer our scholars unique “Tours”—educational travel experiences that help build character, develop new skills, and create lifelong memories.

For over 30 years, these unforgettable adventures have been a signature part of the Heritage experience, giving students the chance to explore history, culture, and leadership in meaningful, hands-on ways.

🧳 Check out this year’s exciting tour opportunities below!
👉 Click here to view all upcoming tours

🇺🇸 Fall Liberty Tour | October 5–11, 2025

Join us this Fall Break for a powerful journey through America’s historic East Coast!
📍 Explore key landmarks in U.S. history
🕰️ Deepen your understanding of liberty and leadership
🎓 Bond with fellow scholars in an unforgettable setting
📄 Click here to view the flyer with full details

Spaces fill quickly, so be sure to review the tour details and register early. These experiences are more than trips—they’re defining moments. MORE INFO

🎨🎶 The 2026 Fine Arts Retreat Is Coming!

Heritage Academy proudly invites all 9th–12th grade scholars to the Fine Arts Retreat, taking place January 7–10, 2026at Emmanuel Pines Camp in Prescott, AZ.

This year’s retreat celebrates America 250 with unforgettable workshops led by award-winning clinicians in Art, Dance, Drama, Choir, Musical Theatre, Ballroom, Photography, and Full Orchestra. Scholars from four Heritage campuses will come together for an incredible experience packed with learning, friendship, campfires, socials, and a final performance!

🗓️ Registration opens August 1, 2025
💰 Cost: $335 for scholars | $275 for chaperones
📍 Don’t miss out on 4 days, 3 nights, 8 workshops, and memories that last a lifetime!
📲 Link to register HERE

#HeritageArts #FineArtsRetreat2026 #America250 #LifelongMemories

DON’T FORGET 

Please update your scholar’s grade level with MyHotLunchbox. 

PTO also offers a “snack shack” if a scholar forgets their lunch one day, make sure they have a few dollars to buy something in the auditorium. A BIG thanks to our PTO and our parent volunteers for making this possible!