Back-to-School Guide

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year!

We're excited to welcome both returning and new families to another wonderful year at Calvary Academy!

This page is your one-stop resource for preparing for the first day of school. You'll find important dates, required forms, helpful links, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Download the 2026-2027 Back-to-School Guide for a printable guide with additional details, key dates, and helpful reminders. The guide includes information about the first day of school, Meet the Teacher Night, athletics, health requirements, uniforms, communication, and more.

Quick Links

Looking for something specific? Use the quick links below to access the resources you'll use most throughout the school year.

New Families

Welcome to Calvary Academy!

Enrollment

Schedule a private tour online or by calling 217-546-5987.

Begin Online Enrollment

Visit our Admissions page for more details.

Required Documents

New students should submit:

  • Certified birth certificate
  • Current immunization record
  • Illinois physical examination
  • Eye and dental exams (when required)
  • Previous school records (if applicable)

More details are available in the Health Memo.

Returning Families Checklist

Before the first day of school, be sure to:

Before the First Day

Details & Donuts

Tuesday, August 18 | 9:00am - 10:30pm

Students entering 6th grade, new 7th and 8th grade students, and all new high school students are invited to attend Details & Donuts before school begins. Students receive their schedules, lockers, school tour, Google Classroom information, and have an opportunity to ask questions.

Meet the Teacher Night

Thursday, August 20 | 4:30pm - 6:00pm

Parents and students are invited to explore the school, visit classrooms, and meet teachers before the first day of school.

Virtual Parent Night

Tuesday, August 25 | 6:00pm

Parents can view important videos and information from administration and teachers online prior to the school year.

School Calendar
You can download and print the school calendar here. 

School Hours

3-year-old Pre-School 8:20AM – 11:30AM (2- or 3-day)
Jr. Kindergarten 8:20AM – 11:30AM
Elementary (K – 5th) 8:20AM – 3:00PM
Jr. High/High School 8:20AM – 3:10PM

ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

New to Calvary Academy?
We know the first few days can feel overwhelming! Staff members will be outside each morning and afternoon to direct traffic, answer questions, and help your family find the correct drop-off and pick-up locations.

To help ensure the safety of our students and keep traffic flowing smoothly, please review the following arrival and dismissal procedures. We appreciate your patience and cooperation, especially during the first few weeks of school.

Early Arrival & Late Pick-Up

Elementary students should not arrive before 7:55am unless they are participating in a teacher-approved help session, athletic practice, or another school-approved activity.

Elementary students should be picked up no later than 3:30pm each day.

If your elementary student needs supervision before 7:55am or after 3:30pm, enrollment is required in one of the following programs:

  • Calvary Day Care: Preschool, Jr. Kindergarten, and Kindergarten
  • Camp Calvary: 1st–5th Grades

More information about Camp Calvary is available at:
https://www.caspringfield.org/camp-calvary

Junior High and High School Students may arrive as early as 7:30am. Before school and after dismissal, students are to report to the cafeteria, where adult supervision is provided until 5:30pm.

Morning Drop-Off

Students should be dropped off at the front entrance of the Academy and enter only through the doors marked ENTRANCE.

Please:

  • Follow the designated drop-off lane.
  • Pull forward as far as possible before stopping.
  • Approach the entrance with the passenger side of your vehicle facing the building.
  • Remain patient and cautious as students enter the building.

If you would like to walk your student into school, please park in a designated parking space before entering the building.

When weather permits, elementary students may be dropped off at the supervised playground beginning at 8:00am.

Afternoon Dismissal

Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd Grades

  • Dismissal begins at 3:00pm at the Academy front entrance.
  • Please approach the pickup lane with the passenger side of your vehicle facing the building.

3rd, 4th & 5th Grades

  • Dismissal begins at 3:00pm on the playground.
  • Please approach with the passenger side of your vehicle facing the playground fence/building.
  • During inclement weather, students will be dismissed from the back hallway door, located east of the playground.

Families with Multiple Elementary Students

  • To simplify dismissal, families with children in multiple elementary grades will pick up all elementary students at the location of the oldest sibling.

Junior High & High School

  • Students are dismissed at 3:10pm.
  • Parents should park in a designated parking space in the front parking lot and wait for their student to walk to the vehicle.
  • Please do not wait in the elementary pickup lanes for Junior High or High School students. Keeping these lanes clear allows younger students to be dismissed safely and efficiently.

Thank you for helping us provide a safe arrival and dismissal process for all Calvary Academy students!

Before & After School Care

Camp Calvary is our before- and after-school program for students enrolled in 1st – 5th grades.

Morning hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:50 a.m. with cold breakfast served at approximately 7:30 a.m.
After-school hours: 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. with an afternoon snack served at 4:00 p.m.

Camp Calvary information

JH/HS After School Care Guidelines

Lunch

School lunch costs for 2026/2027 are as follows:

K5 - 8th grade - $3.50 | High School - $4.00 

Lunches are tracked electronically.  Lunch charges are billed twice a month through Facts Mgt. Parents will receive an email/notification via Facts of all charges. The invoice is due within ten days and can be paid online or will be processed as an automatic ACH draft when due. Lunches can be pre-paid through your Facts account. All of this information is available through the financial tab in the Facts Family Portal. Please contact Mrs. Martin with any questions via email at jmartin@caspringfield.org.

Calvary Academy participates in the National School Lunch Program which allows for Free Lunch or Reduced Lunch (.40) if you qualify. If your family is eligible to participate in the Free & Reduced Lunch program, it is essential that you apply.  

Uniforms & Apparel

Athletics

Please visit our Athletics page to learn more about participating in sports at Calvary Academy. 

All parents and students must review the Student-Parent Athletic Handbook.

The Athletic Agreement Signature Form must be completed by the first practice of the sport in which your student wants to participate.  An agreement need only be signed once per year even if students participate in multiple sports.

Coaches use GroupMe or GameChanger apps to communicate practice schedule,  announcements and important information.

Parent Resources

This is your one-stop hub for the information and tools you'll use throughout the school year. From the FACTS Family Portal and Student Handbook to lunch information, health forms, athletics, and volunteer resources, everything you need is just a click away.

Safety & Security

The safety of our students, staff, and families is a top priority at Calvary Academy.

To help maintain a safe and secure campus:

  • All parents and visitors must enter through the Main Entrance and sign in at the Academy Office before proceeding through the building.
  • Visitors will be issued a Visitor lanyard, which should be worn while on campus and returned upon departure.
  • All Calvary Church, Calvary Academy, and Calvary Day Care staff wear a staff lanyard or staff shirt for easy identification.
  • Day Care families may continue using the designated east entrance with their assigned key fob.
  • For everyone's safety, please do not open secured doors for others or allow anyone to "tailgate" into the building.
  • If you notice anything concerning while on campus, please notify a staff member immediately.

Thank you for partnering with us to provide a safe, welcoming environment for every student.

Questions?

The Academy Office is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM, and we're always happy to help.

Phone: (217) 546-5987

Email: CalvaryAcademy@CASpringfield.org

 

 
 
 
 

CALVARY ACADEMY

1730 West Jefferson St.

Springfield, IL 62702


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Phone: 217-546-5987

Fax: 217-321-1063


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