Principal’s Message

Welcome to the 2026-27 School Year!

Get ready for an incredible 2026-27 school year at Shady Grove, where our inspiring theme is Level Up! This year, we are completely focused on boosting student engagement and helping every single Cardinal reach their next level of success. Whether it's mastering a new academic skill, discovering a hidden talent, or crushing a personal goal, we are dedicated to helping our students, staff, and families power up together. Each of you brings unique strengths to our community, and by working together, we will unlock new achievements and make this our most engaging year yet!

Fostering a Culture of Belonging

At Shady Grove, we believe that high engagement starts with a true sense of belonging. We are deeply committed to promoting inclusivity, respect, and understanding, creating a positive, nurturing, and inspiring environment where every student feels valued and ready to succeed.

A cornerstone of our school culture is our House system, featuring four national Houses created by the Ron Clark Academy. Every student and staff member belongs to a House, providing powerful opportunities for connection, mentorship, and friendly competition outside of the traditional classroom setting. Our school crest represents our entire community, and our motto—4 Houses, 1 Family—truly embodies how our Houses are integrated into every aspect of our school day. Visit House System to find more information about our Houses.

The Cardinal Creed: Our Guiding Values

As we focus on teaching life-ready skills and keeping students actively engaged in their learning, we rely on core expectations that form the foundation of our environment. We hold our students accountable to four core values, which we call the Cardinal Creed:

• I strive for excellence through hard work and determination.
• I value friendship by being kind, helpful, and caring.
• I show courage by taking risks and standing up for what is right.
• I show leadership by making my school and community better.

When students demonstrate these core values and actively engage in school life, they will earn individual and House points, which can be redeemed for a variety of exciting incentives. This school-wide positive reinforcement system provides our Cardinals with the motivation and momentum they need to constantly level up.

My Commitment to Our Cardinals

As your principal, my leadership is rooted in compassion and authenticity, with every decision centered on our students. I champion a culture where taking risks, making mistakes, and embracing failures are seen as essential steps to learning—because we "level up" the most when we grow through our challenges. I am committed to being a transparent, enthusiastic, and creative leader, focused on fostering instructional excellence and building powerful connections.

My core priorities for our school are clear: school safety, student achievement, student and staff wellness, and continuous growth. Empowering student voice and maximizing classroom engagement are paramount. Above all, my ultimate aim is to ensure that every single Cardinal feels safe, loved, and confident as they embark on this year's journey at Shady Grove.

Meet Our Administrative Team

While I am honored to lead Shady Grove, I certainly don't do it alone! Our incredible administrative team is vital to our success, and I am thrilled to introduce them. Joining me are Laila Marshall, Associate Principal, and Lauren Nelson, Student Support Administrator. These exceptional leaders are "all in, all day, every day" to ensure a supportive, high-energy environment where everyone at Shady Grove can reach their highest potential.

Partnering for Success

While Shady Grove has always been a beacon of learning, growth, and community, we are always looking for opportunities to elevate our impact. We eagerly anticipate continuing our strong partnership with our families and community partners to support our students' growth. It is going to be an unforgettable school year, and we can't wait to see our Cardinals Level Up!

In partnership,

Ellen Guidry