Families learn life-saving techniques while raising funds for children with special heart needs

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Students at 25 National Heritage Academies (NHA)® schools have raised $98,718.59 for the American Heart Association (AHA).

The drive, called the Kids Heart Challenge, is a healthy jump-rope event which teaches children about whole body well-being while raising money to help children with special heart needs.

Leading the pack of NHA schools was Queen's Grant Community School in North Carolina, which raised $13,675.34, beating their goal of $13K. Queen's Grant Physical Education Teacher Shannon Pearman, in her second year at the school, said the school received overwhelming support from families.

"This school does a really good job at community involvement and raising funds for a good cause," she said. "They truly are passionate. We've had a lot of kids who have had heart issues and surgeries, and a lot of families that have been affected."

The inclusion of Hands-only CPR training in the drive has also had an incredible impact. Of the 25 NHA schools participating, 432 families have received training in the life-saving technique.

"I've really pushed that it's important to know hands-only CPR, whatever the situation might be. In North Carolina, it's a high school requirement for graduation, so in eighth grade we always push to get it done."

Pearman said she incentivizes the training with students, so they get their whole families involved. She points out what to do in case of an emergency, and how to start taking care of your heart at an early age. That's where the jump roping comes in.

"With kindergarten through second grade students, we need to determine if they can jump rope, then we get into why it's important. With the older kids we can get a little deeper into it and introduce Double-Dutch and tricks."

She hosted competitions for students to see how long they can jump without missing.

"Last year we had a third-grade student jump for six or seven minutes, and he beat his record this year. Then a fifth grader came in and jumped for 10 minutes straight!"

To find the nearest charter school near you, use the NHA school finder .

At South Canton Scholars in Michigan, Physical Education Teacher John Howell held a kickoff ceremony for the challenge and students showed their support by wearing red and pink shirts. His school raised $12,891.82 and held a contest for the best jumpers from each grade.

"Two boys and two girls were voted as the best jumpers by their classmates," he said. "The finalists competed to determine the best jumpers in each grade. Staff members were the judges, and winners received books and jump ropes as prizes. I also let the scholar with the most donations in each grade K- 5 spend the day as the PE teacher."

Classroom teachers play a big role in getting their students involved in jumping rope. They often share childhood memories of jumping rope with friends on the playground. Pearman said it creates a special connection with students.

"Having the teachers come in and be a part of it was great. The kids are like 'will you come watch me? I got this trick, will you come do Double-Dutch with me?' So truly, just bringing the whole school together with jump ropes was really cool."

NHA Fundraising Totals:

• Queen's Grant Community School (NC): $ 13,675.34
• South Canton Scholars (MI): $ 12,891.82
• Summerfield Charter Academy (NC): $10,800.87
• Chandler Woods Charter Academy (MI): $ 8, 941.85
• Phoenix Academy (NC): $ 7,336.58
• Canton Charter Academy (MI): $ 6,111.30
• Excel Charter Academy (MI): $ 4,981.08
• Walker Charter Academy (MI): $ 4,271.17
• Mountain View Academy (NC): $ 3,939.42
• Ridge Park Charter Academy (MI): $ 3, 793.62
• Winterville Charter Academy (NC): $ 3,539.49
• Knapp Charter Academy (MI): $ 3,346.37
• Keystone Academy (MI): $ 2,806.91
• South Pointe Scholars (MI): $2,479.13
• Windemere Park Charter Academy (MI): $2,292.26
• Matthews Charter Academy (NC): $2,053.08
• Achieve Charter Academy (MI): $ 1,323.04
• Grand River Academy (MI): $ 884.38
• East Arbor Charter Academy (MI): $ 728.95
• Quest Charter Academy (MI): $ 638.31
• Paramount Charter Academy (MI): $626.49
• Peak Charter Academy (NC): $ 502.81
• Timberland Charter Academy (MI): $ 411.89
• Cross Creek Charter Academy (MI): $ 246.56
• Prevail Charter Academy (MI): $95.87

Total: $ 98,718.59

National Heritage Academies (NHA)® is a network of 100 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 68,000 students in kindergarten through 12^th 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