Confluence Academies staff and community partners spent two mornings visiting families throughout North and South St. Louis in July, building relationships, sharing resources, and helping students and families feel excited and prepared for the start of the 2026–2027 school year.
Family engagement plays a significant role in student success, and these neighborhood visits provided an opportunity to connect with families where they live, answer questions, share important back-to-school information, and reinforce that Confluence Academies' commitment to supporting students doesn't end when school is out. The outreach placed special emphasis on families preparing for important school transitions, including students entering Pre-K and kindergarten at Old North Academy and South City Academy, as well as incoming freshmen beginning their high school journey at Confluence Preparatory Academy.
Staff members were joined by key community partners HOME WORKS!, The Sophia Project, and Ready Readers, whose support helped deepen connections with families. Parents were invited to August's Back-to-School Bash and received school calendars, welcome letters from principals, and information about programs and services available throughout the year. Ready Readers also provided new books for younger scholars, encouraging families to continue reading together during the remainder of the summer.
The visits also gave families an opportunity to share their excitement about the year ahead.
"This really gets us excited for the new school year," one parent shared as staff visited her neighborhood.
Another parent, preparing to send her child to kindergarten this fall, reflected on the special connection her family has with the school. "It's so special knowing my kindergartener will get to attend Old North Academy, the same school I loved as a child," she said.
"It's important to us that our families know we are partners in their child's educational journey. We want our students to feel supported, seen, and excited for the school year ahead," said Dr. Candice Carter-Oliver, CEO of Confluence Academies.
For Confluence Academies staff and community partners, the neighborhood outreach is about more than sharing information—it's an opportunity to build relationships, welcome families, and share in the excitement and anticipation that comes with the start of a new school year.