CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Clarksville Academy opened the 2021-22 school year Thursday, Aug. 12, with a celebration featuring music and shouts from the schools’ cheerleaders.

Teachers were on hand to welcome more than 500 students as they entered the school and to greet parents as the children, and teens were dropped off for classes. Head of School Jennifer Hinote said Thursday and Friday would be half-days, with the first full day of school on Monday, Aug. 16.

Clarksville Academy parents whose children are starting their senior year or kindergarten enjoy the Boo-Hoo Breakfast at Clarksville Academy on the first half-day of the new school year on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Clarksville Academy parents whose children are starting their senior year or kindergarten enjoy the Boo-Hoo Breakfast at Clarksville Academy on the first half-day of the new school year on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Students and teachers gather in the gym at Clarksville Academy as they prepare to move to class for the first half-day of the new school year on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Students and teachers gather in the gym at Clarksville Academy as they prepare to move to class for the first half-day of the new school year on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Cougar cheerleaders were outside Clarksville Academy welcoming students back to school for their first half-day on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Students pose in front of the Cougar’s paw for the first half-day of school at Clarksville Academy on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Students gather outside Clarksville Academy as they return for the first half-day of the new school year on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
A member of the Clarksville Academy staff greets students as they step off the bus for the first half-day of the new school year on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
A member of the Clarksville Academy staff greets a student as they step off the bus for the first half-day of the new school year on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
A member of the Clarksville Academy staff greets a student as they step off the bus for the first half-day of the new school year on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
A student poses in front of the Cougar’s paw for the first half-day of school at Clarksville Academy on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
A family stops for a photo outside Clarksville Academy on the first half-day of school for the new school year on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Cougar cheerleaders were outside Clarksville Academy welcoming students back to school for their first half-day on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
A young student poses framed in a back to school photo on the first half-day for Clarksville Academy on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Judge Ken Goble poses with his son Noah on the first half-day of the new school year at Clarksville Academy on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin),
Teachers and staff pose outside Clarksville Academy to welcome students as they arrive for the first half-day of the new school year on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
A young student arrives for the first half-day of school outside Clarksville Academy on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
A student poses in front of the Cougar’s paw for the first half-day of school at Clarksville Academy on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
A cheerleader and her parent pose for a photo outside Clarksville Academy on the first half-day of school for the new school year on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Cougar cheerleaders were outside Clarksville Academy welcoming students back to school for their first half-day on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
A young student poses framed in a back to school photo on the first half-day for Clarksville Academy on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
A family stops for a photo outside Clarksville Academy on the first half-day of school for the new school year on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
A student poses in front of the Cougar’s paw for the first half-day of school at Clarksville Academy on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Cougar cheerleaders were outside Clarksville Academy welcoming students back to school for their first half-day on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Cougar cheerleaders were outside Clarksville Academy welcoming students back to school for their first half-day on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Teachers and staff pose outside Clarksville Academy to welcome students as they arrive for the first half-day of the new school year on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Teachers and staff pose outside Clarksville Academy to welcome students as they arrive for the first half-day of the new school year on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Clarksville Academy parents whose children are starting their senior year or kindergarten enjoy the Boo-Hoo Breakfast at Clarksville Academy on the first half-day of the new school year on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Clarksville Academy parents whose children are starting their senior year or kindergarten enjoy the Boo-Hoo Breakfast at Clarksville Academy on the first half-day of the new school year on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Clarksville Academy parents whose children are starting their senior year or kindergarten enjoy the Boo-Hoo Breakfast at Clarksville Academy on the first half-day of the new school year on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Clarksville Academy parents whose children are starting their senior year or kindergarten enjoy the Boo-Hoo Breakfast at Clarksville Academy on the first half-day of the new school year on Thursday, August 12 2021 (Lee Erwin).

“We’re easing our students in, letting them see a part of their day, then do a little rest, and then come back and do the second part of their day. We found that that’s good for our students, Pre-K through 12th grade, allowing them to ease into the transition of school and for us to work out any kinks with schedules or transitions. We’re really excited about the year,” Hinote said.

Each year Clarksville Academy also holds what the school calls the Boo-Hoo Breakfast which is hosted by the Clarksville Academy Parent Association. It’s for the senior and kindergarten parents and gives them a chance to come together and share in their stories and experiences of their student’s last year of school as a senior, or their children going off to school for kindergarten.