Second annual Project Gratitude campaign engages more than 65,000 students across 105 schools in nine states

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Nov. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — National Heritage Academies (NHA), a network of 105 public charter schools across nine states, is celebrating a student-led effort to send 30,000 handwritten letters of gratitude to veterans and active-duty service members as part of Project Gratitude in recognition of Veterans Day. More than 65,000 students across NHA schools participated in this year’s nationwide campaign.

Now in its second year, Project Gratitude brings NHA’s Moral Focus character education program to life, giving students an opportunity to put nine core virtues, including respect, gratitude and compassion, into practice. Through initiatives like Project Gratitude, students learn to consider the experiences of others, recognize the contributions of their communities and understand the importance of who they become beyond the classroom.

“Education should prepare students for more than what’s next academically. It should help shape the kind of people they become and the way they contribute to the world around them,” said Nick Sheltrown, president and chief learning officer at National Heritage Academies. “That’s exactly what Project Gratitude is about. We want students to recognize that respect, gratitude and compassion aren’t just values to learn about. They’re values to live out. By taking the time to recognize veterans and active-duty service members, students are putting those lessons into action and learning the importance of recognizing and appreciating others.”

Across the country, NHA schools marked Veterans Day with letter-writing activities, patriotic celebrations and opportunities for students to connect with veterans and military families. Activities at key locations included:

• At Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy in Plymouth, Michigan, students heard from fellow students and a veteran guest speaker before writing their own messages of thanks.
• At Excel Charter Academy in Grand Rapids, Michigan, veterans visited classrooms following a schoolwide celebration, giving students an opportunity to learn firsthand about military service and sacrifice.
• At Gate City Charter Academy in Greensboro, North Carolina, students welcomed local military families and transformed a classroom into a patriotic letter-writing space.
• At Mountain View Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, veterans from the community were invited to an assembly honoring their service before students wrote letters of gratitude.
• At Oakside Prep Academy in Waterford, Michigan, the school held a recognition ceremony for veterans connected to its school community, followed by classroom visits where veterans spoke with students as they wrote letters of appreciation.

Project Gratitude letters will be sent to veterans and active-duty service members across the country.

This year, NHA also invited members of the public to participate in Project Gratitude by submitting their own messages of appreciation, expanding the campaign beyond NHA classrooms and school communities. Community members can join the effort through Friday, Nov. 13, by submitting a thank-you letter at www.nhaschools.com/project-gratitude.

Project Gratitude by the Numbers

• 30,000 handwritten thank-you letters sent to veterans and active-duty service members
• More than 65,000 students participated across the country
• 105 schools participating in nine states

For more information about NHA or Project Gratitude, visit www.nhaschools.com/project-gratitude.

About National Heritage Academies

National Heritage Academies® (NHA®) is a network of 105 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information, visit nhaschools.com. To find the nearest charter school near you, use the NHA school finder.

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SOURCE National Heritage Academies