Emerald Academy welcomes students for its 12th year
By Ken Lay
School is back in session for Emerald Academy and early last week, the students at Knox County’s charter school got the grand welcome as the school opened its doors for the 2026-27 school year.
The school began its 12th year in operation on Monday, July 27, and as students began to arrive around 7:30 a.m., they walked the green carpet and were greeted by faculty, staff, administrators and community members who answered an early wake-up call to either welcome students back or calm the nerves of those who might be coming to the school for the first time. The students were welcomed into a spirit tunnel and received high fives and saw signs welcoming them to the school.
“It’s exciting, and it was a great day,” said Adelyn Pair, associate director of communications and marketing of the Emerald Youth Foundation. “We welcomed back our scholars, and we’re looking forward to another great school year.
“We have the green carpet out for them and want them to feel welcome. The first day of school is always tough, and for some of our scholars, this was their first day of school.”
Emerald Academy serves students in grades K-8 and looks to prepare its scholars for high school and postsecondary education through the use of rigorous academic standards.
The weather cooperated; although it was humid, the rain stayed away while students entered the building, and Pair lauded the community members who might’ve begun their Monday and their week early to give the students the sendoff into the new school year.
“We had our teachers, staff and we had some members of the community come over to welcome back our scholars,” she said. “This can be nerve-racking because some of these scholars, it was their first day and it was nice to have members of the community welcome them back.
“It was great to see all the energy.”
