Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy
Stephen Shaut, Dean | 8:40am-3:40pm | (814) 874-6300
You can make a difference.
This September, during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Erie's Public Schools is reminding our whole community: a mental health crisis deserves the same response as any other emergency. You don't need to be a therapist — you just need to notice, reach out, and get help.
A.C.T. if you're worried about someone:
Ask — Start the conversation. Be direct, and listen without judgment.
Care — Show you care. Stay close and keep them connected.
Tell — Bring in a trusted adult or trained professional.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is always available: 📞 Call or text 988 — free, confidential, 24/7 📱 Safe2Say Something: 1-844-SAF2SAY ☎️ Erie Crisis Line: 814-456-2014 🏫 Talk to a school counselor, mental health specialist, or any trusted staff member
In immediate danger? Call 911.
Every student, every day. We're in this together. #SuicidePreventionMonth #EriesPublicSchools
This September, during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Erie's Public Schools is reminding our whole community: a mental health crisis deserves the same response as any other emergency. You don't need to be a therapist — you just need to notice, reach out, and get help.
A.C.T. if you're worried about someone:
Ask — Start the conversation. Be direct, and listen without judgment.
Care — Show you care. Stay close and keep them connected.
Tell — Bring in a trusted adult or trained professional.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is always available: 📞 Call or text 988 — free, confidential, 24/7 📱 Safe2Say Something: 1-844-SAF2SAY ☎️ Erie Crisis Line: 814-456-2014 🏫 Talk to a school counselor, mental health specialist, or any trusted staff member
In immediate danger? Call 911.
Every student, every day. We're in this together. #SuicidePreventionMonth #EriesPublicSchools
EPS families,
Throughout the year, a number of school events, programs, and classroom lessons take place that are of interest to both school district media (cable channel, website, school newsletters, etc.) and regional print and broadcast media (newspapers, television, radio, etc.) During these activities, students and staff may be photographed or interviewed to increase public awareness of our school and/or individual student accomplishments. If you DO NOT want your children to be photographed, videotaped or interviewed, please complete and return the 2026-2027 Media Opt-Out Form available at your child’s school.
You can also find and print the form, available in English and other languages, at https://www.eriesd.org/page/optout
Than k you!
Throughout the year, a number of school events, programs, and classroom lessons take place that are of interest to both school district media (cable channel, website, school newsletters, etc.) and regional print and broadcast media (newspapers, television, radio, etc.) During these activities, students and staff may be photographed or interviewed to increase public awareness of our school and/or individual student accomplishments. If you DO NOT want your children to be photographed, videotaped or interviewed, please complete and return the 2026-2027 Media Opt-Out Form available at your child’s school.
You can also find and print the form, available in English and other languages, at https://www.eriesd.org/page/optout
Than k you!
HOT OFF THE PRESSES: Our Family Information Guide is now available at eriesd.org/familyguide. The guide includes helpful information about school bell times, transportation, health policies and more. Take a few minutes to read to help ensure that you and your children kick off the 2026-27 school year right!
READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE PRIDE
The final issue of the The Pride for the 2025-2026 school year is out now! The Pride is Collegiate Academy's student-produced news magazine. Click here to read it.
THE PRIDE ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF POETRY CONTEST
Congratulations to winners of The Pride's poetry contest:
English Language
Seniors
Markella Nacopoulos, 1st place
Hawo Ibrahim, 2nd Place
Olivia Vitelli, 3rd Place
Freshman
Wesley Maske
Sophomore
Antigone Feige
Second Language
Theofania Nacopoulos , 1st place
Giada Hodinko , 2nd Place
Thomas Mayo, 3rd Place
WORLD CULTURE CLUB STUDENTS LEARN FROM GUEST SPEAKER
On Thursday, April 23, the World Culture Club at Collegiate Academy welcomed guest speaker Dr. Irene Zurita Moreno to Room 115.
Originally from Alcalá, Spain, Dr. Zurita-Moreno is a Professor of Spanish at Mercyhurst University.
She spoke to students about her home country of Spain, sharing insights into Spanish culture, language, and traditions. Students had the opportunity to learn more about Spanish life and engage with perspectives from another part of the world.
GRADUATES: YOU CAN NOW ORDER PHOTOS THAT WERE TAKEN AT THE CEREMONY
Congrats, Graduates from Lifetouch. To access your photos after the ceremony, text the code below to 90738 (data and message rates may apply). We'll send you a link when the pictures are ready to view and order. The code is 119609GY26
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GRADUATION AND TICKETS
Click here to order tickets. Each student will receive 15 free tickets for graduation. These are virtual tickets through Hometown Ticketing. Students will need to enter their student ID as the passcode, then select the number of desired tickets.
If you have any issues with your tickets, please contact Hometown Ticketing at 1-866-488-4849.
Parents and guests will enter through the gate on 26th and State and pass through security. Please follow the clear bag policy.
A shuttle will run between here and Erie High every 15 minutes
IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR GRADUATES
There is mandatory graduation practice on Friday, 5/28/26. Please report to the field by 8:45am. Practice will conclude around 11:30am. Senior lunch will take place after for those who signed up for it.
Obligations should be paid to the office on Friday.
On graduation day, students should report to the gym specified in practice by 1:30pm.
Students can go to the dance studio for pictures.
Caps may be decorated appropriately.
Honor stoles and national honor pins are acceptable.
The promenade will be open after graduation for pictures.
Graduates are the only people permitted on the field.
STUDENT ARTWORK TO BE EXHIBITED THIS SATURDAY
Come out and celebrate our students and the arts at WHAT ART U? this Saturday, May 16, from noon to 5 p.m. at Mercyhurst Preparatory School’s Gym.
This year’s exhibit features artwork from Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy and the School District of the City of Erie. Visitors can enjoy family-friendly attractions, food trucks, crafts, giveaways, and a raffle auction benefiting Opened Eyes.
WHAT ART U?
Saturday, May 16
Mercyhurst Preparatory School, 538 E. Grandview Blvd.
Free and open to the public
PULSERA PROJECT BRACELETS ON SALE NOW
Students can purchase handmade bracelets from the Pulsera Project, a "fair trade nonprofit organization that educates, empowers, and connects Central American artists with students in more than 4,000 U.S. schools through the sale of colorful handwoven bracelets, or pulseras in Spanish." Click here to learn more about the organization.
Students can purchase the bracelets in room 115 before and after school and during lunch. They will be on sale all week.
Please support a good cause by buying one of these beautiful bracelets!
ENROLLMENT FOR SUMMER ENRICHMENT CLASSES NOW OPEN
Current students and incoming freshmen: sign up for summer enrichment classes. Summer enrichment classes are an excellent (and free!) opportunity to take up to three required half-credit classes and/or prepare for classes that you will take during the school year.
Summer school runs for five weeks in June and July. There are three periods each day beginning at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00.
Please complete the enrollment form by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15.
Current students can take classes in language arts, science, technology, and wellness/fitness. Current students who want to enroll in summer school should click here.
Incoming freshmen can get ahead on their credits by taking required half-credit classes (Freshman Seminar, Research, Wellness/Fitness I). They can also take an algebra booster to prepare for the algebra class they will take as ninth-graders. Incoming freshmen who want to enroll in summer classes should click here.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Shaut: ashaut@eriesd.org.
Senior parents: please consider donating food or drinks for Senior Days. This annual event will take place on May 28. That morning, seniors will ride buses to Camp Notre Dame, where they will spend the next 24 hours. Your generosity will help make this event a success! Click here to go to the SignUpGenius and make a donation. If you have any questions, please email Mr. Weiss: jweiss@eriesd.org.
Congratulations to our United States Academic Decathlon team, which competed in the national competition in Garden Grove, CA, April 23–26.
The team comprises Penelope King, Serena Xu, and Sophia Gnacinski (honors division); Kaylee Lindstrom, Netesh Magar, and Sydnie Ashley (scholastic division); and Ava West, Isaaq Wilson, and Thomas Mayo (varsity division). The team is coached by Jeff Weiss and Pete Wojciechowski.
Collegiate Academy took first place in Super Quiz, and our students won several medals:
Penelope King won gold in literature and bronze in Interview.
Serena Xu won silver in mathematics.
Sophia Gnacinski won bronze in literature in art.
Ava West won gold in literature, bronze in music, bronze in art, gold in economics, bronze in social science, gold in speech, and silver overall.
Congratulations to the team on an amazing season. We can't wait to see how you build on this success next year!
The team comprises Penelope King, Serena Xu, and Sophia Gnacinski (honors division); Kaylee Lindstrom, Netesh Magar, and Sydnie Ashley (scholastic division); and Ava West, Isaaq Wilson, and Thomas Mayo (varsity division). The team is coached by Jeff Weiss and Pete Wojciechowski.
Collegiate Academy took first place in Super Quiz, and our students won several medals:
Penelope King won gold in literature and bronze in Interview.
Serena Xu won silver in mathematics.
Sophia Gnacinski won bronze in literature in art.
Ava West won gold in literature, bronze in music, bronze in art, gold in economics, bronze in social science, gold in speech, and silver overall.
Congratulations to the team on an amazing season. We can't wait to see how you build on this success next year!
Collegiate Academy's four regional finalists and its regional winner in the Highmark Caring Place Poster Contest were recognized at a ceremony at Collegiate Academy on Friday, May 1.
Congratulations to regional winner Jada McAllister, whose poster will be distributed throughout Pennsylvania schools next fall. The regional finalists were Zahraa Al-Dhumeen, Sophia Gnacinski, Asha Hassan, and Elvira Ulasavets. All of these talented students were given certificates, gift bags, and Amazon gift cards in recognition of their outstanding work and creativity.
Congratulations to regional winner Jada McAllister, whose poster will be distributed throughout Pennsylvania schools next fall. The regional finalists were Zahraa Al-Dhumeen, Sophia Gnacinski, Asha Hassan, and Elvira Ulasavets. All of these talented students were given certificates, gift bags, and Amazon gift cards in recognition of their outstanding work and creativity.
Cafe 7-10 hosts an open mic night for teen poets every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.. Collegiate Academy students Asheen Udgiri, Sophia Spanogle, Silvia Kang and Thomas Mayo have performed at previous events. Cafe 7-10 is located at 7 West 10th St. All teen poets are welcome!
We are thrilled to celebrate two outstanding Collegiate Academy students who represented our school with excellence at the PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association) All-State Festival and Conference.
Henry Moffatt earned a seat in the PMEA All-State Orchestra for the third consecutive year — a remarkable accomplishment that places him among the top 150 orchestra students in the entire state of Pennsylvania. Henry performed with this elite group on Saturday, April 25.
Gaby Vitelli attended the PMEA Future Music Educators Symposium, where she participated in the Annual In-Service Conference alongside 16 of her peers — all of whom have been accepted into college music education programs for next year. Gaby's involvement reflects both her passion for music and her commitment to inspiring the next generation of musicians.
We are incredibly proud of Henry and Gaby for their dedication, talent, and for serving as wonderful ambassadors for our school and music program. Congratulations to you both!
Henry Moffatt earned a seat in the PMEA All-State Orchestra for the third consecutive year — a remarkable accomplishment that places him among the top 150 orchestra students in the entire state of Pennsylvania. Henry performed with this elite group on Saturday, April 25.
Gaby Vitelli attended the PMEA Future Music Educators Symposium, where she participated in the Annual In-Service Conference alongside 16 of her peers — all of whom have been accepted into college music education programs for next year. Gaby's involvement reflects both her passion for music and her commitment to inspiring the next generation of musicians.
We are incredibly proud of Henry and Gaby for their dedication, talent, and for serving as wonderful ambassadors for our school and music program. Congratulations to you both!
Prom tickets will be on sale soon, but first you must complete the Google form that was posted in Schoology. That form must be completed by 3:00 p.m. on Monday, May 4.
You will receive an email with a ticket code on Wednesday, May 6.
This year's prom is on Friday, May 15, 7:00–10:00, at the Zem Zem Shrine Club.
You will receive an email with a ticket code on Wednesday, May 6.
This year's prom is on Friday, May 15, 7:00–10:00, at the Zem Zem Shrine Club.
Seniors: apply for the three My Brother's Keeper scholarships:
The three My Brother's Keeper Scholarships below require your submitting a 500-word essay. Applicants must submit their essays no later than May 1, 2026 to zetapique@gmail.com
Zeta Pi Chapter Founder's Essay Topic
“In a World Powered by Artificial Intelligence, What Does It Mean to Lead with Integrity and Purpose?”
Requirements, 500 words, double spaced essay. The essay must be returned to zetapique@gmail.com by May 1, 2026 for Review by the Scholarship Committee.
Eric Kenneth Clayton Memorial Scholarship Essay Topic
(With “Mental Health being Real” 1. Why Acknowledging Mental Health Matters, 2. How Does it Impact Young Adults in Their Daily Academic and Social Lives; and 3. How to Seek Support and Assistance?)
Requirements, 500 word double spaced essay discussing your opinion regarding the chosen topic: The essay must be written in the most grammatical way with the least amount of mistakes possible. 2026 High School Graduating Seniors must return the Essay to zetapique@gmail.com and to EricKClaytonMS@gmail.com by May 1, 2026.
Bishop Danny L. Stanton Memorial Scholarship
Essay Requirement:
Submit a brief essay (no more than 500) words responding to the topic listed below. The essay should highlight the applicant's service experiences, personal growth, and vision for future contributions to society.
Topic:
“In what ways has your involvement in community service shaped your life, and how do you intend to continue making a positive impact on your community as you pursue your higher education and future goals?”
The essay must be returned to zetapique@gmail.com by May 1, 2026 for Review by the Scholarship Committee.
Please join us for the Spring Dance Showcase on Friday, May 1, at 7:00 p.m., in the Collegiate Academy auditorium. The showcase will feature performances from our dance program's various classes and dance troupes. The event is free, though we do recommend a $5 donation.
Our dancers have worked hard all year — please come and check out the amazing talent of our dancers!
Our dancers have worked hard all year — please come and check out the amazing talent of our dancers!
Books are just one of the ways that stress can be alleviated, and having books to read is proven to better mental health. Seeing how impactful books are, the Cozy Corner and its members planned a two week book drive!
Over the weekend, our Cozy Corner Club co-Presidents Theofania Nacopoulos and Abigail Pribyshchuk donated the proceeds from the Cozy Corner’s book drive to the Mercy Center for Women! Over two weeks, they collected 300 books! We are so thankful to everyone who donated, especially the Cozy Corner members for helping with donations and promotion, and our advisors (Mrs. Lumley and Ms. Palotas) who made this book drive possible.
Stay tuned for more upcoming projects by following npca_cozycorner or by coming to Wednesday morning meetings!
Over the weekend, our Cozy Corner Club co-Presidents Theofania Nacopoulos and Abigail Pribyshchuk donated the proceeds from the Cozy Corner’s book drive to the Mercy Center for Women! Over two weeks, they collected 300 books! We are so thankful to everyone who donated, especially the Cozy Corner members for helping with donations and promotion, and our advisors (Mrs. Lumley and Ms. Palotas) who made this book drive possible.
Stay tuned for more upcoming projects by following npca_cozycorner or by coming to Wednesday morning meetings!
