When Ridgewood Elementary opened last year, Principal Brandy Copeland decided to introduce a House System to quickly establish community and campus culture among the students and staff.  

Every student and staff member at Ridgewood is sorted into one of six houses, each named in Latin, French, or Zulu to represent a specific character trait: Altruismo (Honor), Animus (Courage), Integritas (Integrity), Isibindi (Grit), Fidelitas (Loyalty), and Compassio (Compassion). 

During its inaugural year, Ridgewood Elementary embraced the House System with open arms, creating a culture of inclusiveness and belonging across the campus. Copeland shared that one of the most rewarding aspects of the system is seeing students and staff, who might not normally interact, unite within their Houses. 

It has united the campus in a way I could not have imagined,” said Copeland. “House Systems cross all the traditional barriers within a school, especially those that exist between grade levels on both the student and the teacher front.” 

Building on last year’s success, Ridgewood recently hosted a House Sorting Day for more than 160 new students. Each student blindly selected a piece of colored paper representing one of the Houses, officially marking their place in the Ridgewood community. 

Representatives from every House filled the gym to cheer on their new housemates. The upperclassmen welcomed incoming members with joyful energy and proudly highlighted their House’s character traits. 

“The excitement, anticipation, and celebration were unmatched,” said Copeland. “We even had the joy of celebrating our own Superintendent, Dr. McCord, as she joined her new house—Altruismo.” 

The Ridgewood House System is an exciting way for all students to be part of something special. When a student joins a “house,” it’s kind of like being on a team or in a family at school. Each house has its own character trait, name, color, and symbol. 

Every member in a house works together to earn points by showing kindness, helping others, working hard, and showing school spirit. Sometimes there are fun challenges, games, or celebrations where houses can cheer each other on.  

Qualimetra Chapman, the Ridgewood Counselor, explained that one of the main goals of the House System is to help everyone feel a connection to peers, not just the student with the same class, but across all grades.  

“Being in a house gives you a sense of belonging,” said Chapman. No matter who you are, you have a place at Ridgewood where people support you, cheer for you, and want you to succeed.” 

The House Systems also offers leadership opportunities for students beyond the traditional Student Council. Every House will have Ambassadors who serve as leaders within their house.   

Now that every student has been sorted into a house, Ridgewood Elementary is looking forward to another year of unity and friendly competition. The previous year’s success has laid the foundation for a strong, supportive campus culture, and this year’s House Sorting Day built on that momentum by welcoming new students into a community where every member belongs.