Acera
Traditions
School traditions are essential for building a strong sense of community and connection among students, faculty, and alumni. These beloved customs cultivate school pride and enhance the relationships between classmates. They often embody the distinctive culture and history of the school, offering students a chance to come together and create lasting memories through shared experiences.
Hosted by the Acera Parent Partnership at the start of the year, the annual family potluck brings new and returning families together over shared meals and conversation. This tradition helps build connections among parents, students, and faculty, building relationships that last throughout the school year.
At the close of each trimester of Creativity Station sessions, projects and performances are shared in a Museum Walk open event. Parents enjoy a lively jazz performance, explore student creations in woodworking, woodburning, and carving, watch original plays written by students, sample delicious treats from the culinary arts program, view stop-motion animation shorts, and much more.
Twice yearly, Acera grade 6-9 students share their IMP — Inquiry, Maker and Passion Projects in a culminating event open to the entire community. Prior projects? A dystopian fiction novel, a prototype for VR to help a user get over their fear of public speaking, launch of a new ModelUN Conference, a sensor based system to self-water plants, a wooden desk, an app to help a dementia patient manage their schedule, and a line of clothing made from upcycled used clothes.
Spirit Day is a chance for students and staff to show their creativity and school spirit in true Acera fashion, with playful themes like “dress like an idiom.” The day reflects the school’s culture of curiosity, self-expression, and a shared sense of fun.
On the last day before December break, students, families, and alumni gather for an afternoon of skating and connection. This annual event brings the community together in a joyful, relaxed way before the holiday season.
We host national mathematics competitions at Acera, like the AMC8, AMC10, and Noetic Math Competitions. We invite kids to try them out and a larger proportion of our kids do! Since our founding year, national math competition awards are a way our many talented mathematician students get recognized through a nationwide competition to celebrate their achievement. In math, as in all areas, students cheer on their classmates and celebrate one another’s accomplishments.
Organized by the Acera Parent Partnership and run by parents, Field Day is a high-energy, end-of-year tradition filled with games, teamwork, and outdoor fun. It’s a time for students, families, and faculty to come together and enjoy the spirit of the school.
Acera’s student-led graduation ceremony is a reflection of each graduating class, honoring their growth and celebrating their achievements and unique journeys. After the ceremony, graduates reconnect with alumni, sharing memories and stepping into their next chapter as part of Acera’s extended community.