Good morning, Parents,
By this time tomorrow, many of you will be preparing for your cadet’s first day of school. To help ensure a smooth start to the 2026-2027 school year, please review the following important reminders.
Arrival
Cadets should not arrive before 7:50 a.m. There is no supervision on campus prior to that time, and students will not be permitted to enter before 7:50 a.m. Please do not leave your child on campus without adult supervision.
Transportation
Our magnet transportation system operates through hub schools, meaning many cadets will ride two buses each morning: one from their neighborhood to the hub high school and another from the hub to JSMAL.
Please make sure your cadet knows:
Their morning bus numbers and transfer location
Their afternoon bus route number and assigned stop
Bus numbers may differ between morning and afternoon routes. We strongly recommend writing this information down and keeping it accessible until your cadet is confident with the process. Supervision will be available at hub locations, but staff may not know every route or stop.
Uniforms and Campus Safety
The daily JSMAL uniform consists of:
Grade-level assigned uniform shirt
Blue camouflage uniform pants
Black belt
Black socks
All-black footwear
Cadets may carry only a clear or mesh backpack and a clear water bottle. Stanley cups and metal drink containers are not allowed and will be confiscated.
Uniform jackets are not authorized until November 1. Hoodies, hooded jackets, and non-uniform outerwear are prohibited and may be confiscated for parent pickup.
All cadets will pass through our security screening system upon arrival. Please ensure your child does not bring prohibited or inappropriate items to campus.
Meals
Breakfast and lunch are provided free of charge to all cadets.
Students bringing lunch should pack items that do not require heating, as microwaves are not available. Food deliveries, including DoorDash and similar services, are not permitted.
School Supplies and Academics
For the first day of school, cadets should bring:
Two pencils
One spiral notebook
Their clear or mesh backpack
Teachers will provide class-specific supply lists and syllabi during the first week. Please review, sign, and return all syllabi as requested.
Teachers do not have extra supplies available for routine distribution. Cadets are expected to come prepared each day.
Parents should also ensure they have their own individual Focus account to monitor grades, communicate with teachers, and access district resources.
Dismissal
School dismisses daily at 3:15 p.m.
Walkers and car riders will be dismissed from the front of the school. During pickup:
Please follow all traffic patterns and staff directions.
Move forward without leaving large gaps.
Do not block walkways or crosswalks.
Remain patient as we safely load cadets into vehicles.
Bus riders will be escorted to designated waiting areas until buses arrive. Again, cadets must know their afternoon bus number and stop, as school personnel may not have that information available.
Please remember that bus transportation is a privilege. All school and district code of conduct expectations apply on the bus. Misconduct may result in suspension or loss of transportation privileges.
Final Thoughts
Instruction begins on the very first day of school. Our teachers are prepared and excited to teach, and we expect all cadets to arrive ready to learn.
Please take time today to review these important details with your cadet, especially transportation, arrival procedures, uniforms, and dismissal plans.
We look forward to a safe, successful, and memorable school year.
Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year!
“Patriot Pride!”
Sincerely,
Principal Trevor Clayton
Joseph Stilwell Military Academy of Leadership