The Griffin Rundown

What does it take to help children become confident, capable readers who genuinely love books? In this episode of The Griffin Rundown, Mr. Bond sits down with Lower School Curriculum Director Mrs. Tracy Villers to explore the foundations of reading instruction at Heritage Classical Academy.

The conversation highlights the importance of cultivating a love of reading. From building strong habits at home to creating meaningful experiences with great books in the classroom, Mrs. Villers offers practical insights into helping young readers grow both in skill and delight.

This week on The Griffin Rundown, Mr. Bond sits down with Latin and Greek teachers Mrs. Arlia and Mr. Hermesmann to explore why we study the classical languages and the lasting value they bring to a classical Christian education. You’ll also hear about what’s happening in the life of our school and, of course, the Joke of the Week!

This week on The Griffin Rundown, Mr. Bond sits down with Dr. Austin Shaw, pastor of Providence Church, to discuss our chapel theme for the 2026–2027 school year: The Doctrine of God’s Providence. Together, they reflect on the comfort, hope, and peace that come from knowing that the one true God is sovereign over all things and faithfully carries out His purposes.

They also consider how we can help our children develop a “big God” view as they face the joys, uncertainties, and realities of life. Our hope is that the truth of God’s providence would sink deeply into the hearts and minds of our students, reminding them that they can trust Him in every circumstance.

What does it mean for a student to truly succeed at Heritage? This week on the Griffin Rundown, Mr. Bond welcomes our new Dean of Student Success, Mr. Doug Walker, for a conversation about his new role, its impact on our Heritage community, and the bigger picture of student success. Don’t miss this opportunity to get to know Mr. Walker and hear his vision for supporting our Griffins.

In this episode of The Griffin Rundown, we begin the school year with a new Head of School. David Nees and Daniel Bond sit down for a special interview to discuss the transition of leadership. Hear Mr. Bond share his background, vision for Heritage, and excitement for the year ahead.

You'll also enjoy everyone's favorite segment, Joke of the Week, featuring another student-submitted joke sure to bring a smile.

We're grateful to begin another season of the Griffin Rundown and look forward to sharing stories, highlights, and conversations from across our Heritage community throughout the year. Thank you for listening, and welcome back!

In the final Griffin Rundown of the school year, Mr. Nees sits down with seniors Max McCort and Grace Ochenjele for a thoughtful and reflective conversation. As the first-ever graduating class of HCA, Max and Grace share what it has been like to help shape the school’s early years. They also discuss their Senior Thesis projects and talk about where they are headed after graduation.