Campus Life

At Holy Nativity, we believe that strong family involvement is an essential part of a thriving school community. Our Parent Council plays an important role in bringing families together, supporting our teachers and students, and advancing our shared commitment to academic achievement and character development.

Parent Council meetings are announced in advance through the HNES Happenings, and all parents are welcome to participate.

Throughout the year, our Parent Council organizes a variety of special events and traditions, each led by dedicated parent volunteers. These include Boohoo-Yahoo Breakfast, Grandfriends’ Day, Walk-a-Thon and Carnival, the Annual Campout, Mother-Son Kickball Tournament, Daddy-Daughter Dance, and the School Store.

These events provide wonderful opportunities for our students and families to connect, celebrate, and create lasting memories together while strengthening the sense of community that makes Holy Nativity so special.

Interested in getting involved? 

Please contact our Parent Council Chair, Rebecca Windham, to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how you can be part of our Parent Council.

Contact: Parent Council

Each week, students across campus gather for age-appropriate chapel services that provide a meaningful pause from the school day. Chapel is a time when spirituality, community, and education come together to inspire both hearts and minds. As an integral part of the Holy Nativity experience, these gatherings offer students a sacred space for reflection, worship, and personal growth. 

Chapel services are held on Wednesdays from 8:20–8:50 AM for our younger students and 9:00–9:30 AM for our older students (these times vary slightly based on programming). 

Throughout the year, students also participate in a variety of special chapel services that enrich and celebrate our school community.

Special Chapels

• Performances

Throughout the school year, our chapel becomes a stage for students to share their gifts with their peers, teachers, and families. These performances provide students with valuable opportunities to develop confidence, teamwork, and stage presence as they prepare and rehearse for their presentations. Under the guidance of our talented faculty, students learn the importance of discipline, dedication, and collaboration.  Each performance is matched with the curriculum that is being studied.  

• Community Service

Welcome to the heart of service and compassion at Holy Nativity Episcopal School, where our school family comes together to make a positive difference in the world through acts of service and kindness. Community service is a fundamental aspect of our school's mission, and our community service chapel programs provide a sacred space for students, faculty, and families to come together in service to others.

• Birthday Blessings

Experience the warmth and wisdom of Father Forbes' birthday blessings at our chapel. Join us for a heartfelt prayer that fills your child's special day with joy and spiritual grace.

• Rite 13

The Rite-13 Ceremony takes place on or near a child’s 13th birthday.  Rooted in the Episcopal tradition, Rite 13 is a meaningful and deeply spiritual program designed to honor and affirm students as they navigate the often tumultuous waters of adolescence. At Holy Nativity, we recognize the importance of this pivotal stage in a young person's life and are committed to providing them with the support, guidance, and encouragement they need to thrive.

• Graduation Traditions

BASE (BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT)

Hours
BASE hours are from 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM in the morning and 12:00 PM - 5:30 PM in the afternoon.

Schedule
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Supervised playtime until school starts for all students dropped off during this time.

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Pre-Kindergarten lunch.

Students may bring a lunch from home or order a nutritious lunch from Golden Corral.

12:30 PM - 2:15 PM: Students may either be “Bears” and hibernate (nap) or "Owls" and stay awake for enrichment.

2:15 PM - 2:45 PM: Snack time and free play for all Jr. Pre-K and Pre-K students.

2:45 PM - 5:30 PM: As their classes are released, all 1st – 8th grade students checking into BASE receive a snack before going to homework room and/or enjoying afternoon fun.

At Holy Nativity, our BASE program is all about the joy of playing with friends, 

just like their neighborhood experience, only better.  

The question we’re most proud to hear, "Can't I stay just a little longer... PLEASE!"

Pricing
Rate is $10.00 per hour (per child) using BASE. Charges are figured on an hourly rate. Any portion of an hour is a one-hour charge. Snack is included in the BASE fee. However, parents may send their student a snack from home if preferred or due to allergies.

Extracurricular Activities
All extracurricular activities must be signed up and paid for directly to the person offering the activity.  All information regarding these programs can be picked up at the front desk. Students are not charged for BASE while they are checked out for any extra program.

CLUBS & SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

Our middle school students are a diverse and dynamic group, embodying a wide range of interests and talents. From excelling in academics as mathletes, historians, and scientists, to showcasing their creativity as inventors, thespians, and choristers, our students are empowered to pursue their passions and thrive in a supportive and nurturing environment.

From participating in organizations such as Junior Beta and the Student Government Association, to competing on the Math Team and showcasing their musical talents in the Choir or Musical, our students have ample opportunities to get involved, make connections, and build leadership skills. Additionally, events like the History Fair, Invention Convention, and Robotics competitions provide platforms for students to showcase their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

Join us at Holy Nativity Episcopal School and discover the countless opportunities available to our middle school students as they embark on a journey of exploration, growth, and achievement.

JUNIOR BETA CLUB

Our Junior Beta Club is an honor society at Holy Nativity Episcopal School that recognizes students for their strong academic performance. 

Students are invited to join based on their achievements in the classroom and are encouraged to grow as leaders within the school community. Guided by the mission to promote academic achievement, character, service, and leadership, members participate in activities that foster responsibility, integrity, and a commitment to serving others.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

HNES is proud to have an active Student Government Association. A slate of officers is elected each Fall as well as representatives from grades sixth through eighth.  SGA supports our school's mission by serving the school and our community with service projects, volunteer hours, clean-up days and sponsoring fun events for our students. SGA is such an active part of our school alumni often come back after they've graduated to serve.  

Some SGA Service Projects:

See You at the Pole: National Day of Prayer for School
P'Jammin' fundraising campaign to benefit the American Childhood Cancer Organization
Red Ribbon Week - Drug Abuse Awareness Month 
Stocking Stuffer benefiting Family Services
Santa Shopping benefiting children from Gulf Coast Children's Advocacy Center.
Service Day on the H.N.E.S. campus
Love Our City Cemetery Beautification work day at Oakland Cemetery
Volunteer Day at Alaqua Animal Rescue

Math Team 
 

Middle School students may be selected for the HNES Math Team based on their aptitude and enthusiasm for math. Elective time allows for small group meeting times to play MathCounts-based "game show" competitions, create MathCounts style questions, or even write Math songs & poetry! Math Team students additionally compete as part of our competitive MathCounts Team.

There are four levels of competition in MathCounts.  There is a school-level competition held on Veterans' Day at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church to determine the top eight mathletes in each grade level. These eight students advance to the Bay District Schools' MathCounts Competition at Gulf Coast State College in January.

Hosted by the Florida Engineering Society, the Gulf Coast Regional MathCounts Competition at FSU-PC in February scores up to 12 pre-selected mathletes from each competing school in three counties: Bay Gulf, Washington. From this exclusive event, the top 4 (from all competing schools) advance to the State MathCounts competition.

Our Holy Nativity MathCounts Team consistently finishes among the Top Three schools in our Region.

HNES Mathletes who have advanced to the STATE level include: 2003 - Michael Warkander, Kirstyn Palgut, Corey Thorpe, Elaura Hodgetts, Katherine Whitton; 2010 - Connor Morrow; 2015 - Jackson Morris; 2016 - Jackson Morris, Danielle Bansagi; 2021 - Jordan Tackett; 2022 - Alexander Stewart

The MathCounts emphasis is on math success, but the theme is always "math is fun and good." 

Robo-Bolts

Our middle school robotics program includes a robotics elective that is open to all middle school students and the Robo-Bolts Robotics Team.  Seventh and eighth grade students are eligible to apply for the team.  The Robo-Bolts participate in competitions affiliated with FIRST LEGO League.  Team members grow their science, technology, engineering, and math skills through fun, exciting hands-on learning. 

Participants gain real-world problem-solving experiences through this global robotics program.  They build and code a robot to navigate a series of obstacles and complete given tasks.  Additionally, students devise an innovative solution for a problem relating to the competition season theme.  Core values such as inclusion, innovation, and teamwork are emphasized.  Students can compete at the local, district, state, and international levels. 

Dance

Our Dance and Tumbling program offers a variety of classes including Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Tap, Tumbling, and Creative Movement for both girls and boys in grades 3K through 8th. The program runs from September through May, with registration open from February through August. Classes are held one, two, or three times per week, Monday through Thursday afternoons, in the dance room located across the street from the school. 

Designed to be low-stress and flexible, the program allows each child to learn at their own pace and level while building confidence and skills. Participants have the opportunity to perform in an annual recital featuring costumes and trophies. Costs include a $25 registration fee, monthly tuition ranging from $50 to $80, costume fees of approximately $60–$70 each, and a $30 recital fee per family. For more information, please contact Hope Simmons

Athletics

Summer Camp 2026 

Summer Camp will take place June 1 - July 31, 2026  (No Camp July 6 – 10)

Click on the link below for more information and for a printable registration form.   

2026 Summer Camp Info and Registration Form