The bell rings, students swarm the warm, sunlit plaza, and suddenly your new chapter begins: welcome to Sonoma Academy.
The beginning is always, unquestionably, the most daunting part of any journey, but here at SA, you will never have to take it alone. Community is the heart of Sonoma Academy. Keeping community in mind, we compiled advice from students at every step on their journey, Admission’s All-Stars, and a special word from Luc Martin, our Admissions Director, to share with you as you embark on the first step of your Sonoma Academy journey. This is your official student guide to starting Sonoma Academy.
The first day
The first day is a mixture of nerves and excitement. The plaza fills with the energy and laughter of familiar and new faces. Unfamiliar names will soon be ones of those you call your closest friends. Schedules will feel confusing, and all the buildings might blur together, but that’s normal; everyone else has been exactly where you are. It’s a moment where you realize that although you may not know exactly where your classes are or how to open your gym locker, you’re not alone in trying to figure it out. Teachers, upperclassmen, and even classmates you just met will guide you, and make our campus feel less like a maze and more like a community.
Junior transfer, Costa McNulty (‘27) reflects on his experience so far: “It kind of feels like I’m an orphan getting adopted into this big family…everyone’s very welcoming.”
McNulty isn’t the only one who thinks of SA as a family. Eva Moure-Carroll, (’28), a sophomore transfer, recalls her Convocation experience as being “very cool in a way that everyone was very close, and everyone knew each other, and it just felt like a family.”
For some students, the highlight of the first day is Convocation: sitting shoulder to shoulder in the Amphitheater, joining in applause, and feeling the weight of SA tradition. For others, it’s as simple as a kind word in the hallway or making a new friend. These little experiences remind us that the first day is not just about adjusting to our new schedule, it’s about finding our place in something bigger.
By the time the sun sets after school activities, the campus that once felt overwhelming starts to feel like a second home. Although you still may be learning the names of your classmates and the shortest route between buildings, one thing is certain. Your journey at SA has officially begun, and you’re already part of the family.
That’s so SA
At Sonoma Academy, community is at the forefront of everything we do. From Back the Pack to standing ovations after each presentation, “That’s so SA” is more than just a phrase: it is the way our students define culture and what makes our school so incredible.
Moure-Carroll said, “Everything here is very deliberate. Everyone actually participates and debates, and puts thought into everything. During presentations, especially, the number of kids who just listen, instead of judging you, is amazing. They actually try to look at it from your perspective instead of making fun of you.”
For McNulty, it’s the sense of safety and comfort. He appreciates “being able to leave my backpack anywhere without worrying about anything being stolen or messed with.”
Another Junior, Lucas Woerz (’27), recalls a moment that solidified SA for him: “When I walked up the stairs with the seniors floating their hands over my head, I was taken. I had this vision of what I wanted my high school experience to be, and I wanted to seize that instead of letting it come to me. That’s so SA is all about that moment of connection.”
For Julia Updegraff (‘27), “That’s so SA” is rooted in nature and location: “Go to the Buckeye Tree at least once, because that’s such a huge SA culture thing. Watch the sunset there, it’s so pretty. Enjoy the beauty of our campus.”
Lulu Riley (‘26) finds SA culture in spirit and casualness:
“Dress up for spirit week, it’s super big. Show your school spirit, try to go to as many games and performances as you can. It’s also just about hanging out with different people during lunch: play ping pong, bring a football, or just chill at the picnic tables.”
For Amani Martin (‘26), SA is defined by a deeply instilled love for the community: “People just genuinely love the school for what it is. There’s a lot of school pride.”
Rio Brown (‘26) sums up the Sonoma Academy culture: “The wholehearted support of one another, we give a standing ovation after every senior speech, we disagree respectfully, and we strive to improve day by day.”
“That’s so SA” is more than a catchphrase; it is the culmination of the beauty, spirit, trust, support, and connection that define Sonoma Academy culture. Remember all these things when you begin your high school journey and rest easy: you will find your own unique niche that defines your SA experience.
What students wished they had known
Looking back, students laugh about things they were once worried about, and they have advice for you. Woerz shares some guidance: take it easy. “You’re going step by step. Don’t try to rush things; good things will come in time. Take your time. Enjoy where you’re at because it’s only four years, and then you’ll never experience it again.”
Updegraff reflects how she wishes she’d known “not to be afraid of teachers, they are all so nice, they’re amazing people, just talk to them.”
She also expresses how all new students should “try out all the sports, even if you have zero experience in it, try it out.”
As Woerz and Updegraff said, you only have four years here at SA, so make the most of them. Try out for all the sports, and join all the clubs you are interested in; you’ll regret it if you don’t. Even if it feels scary at first, these are opportunities that you hold; you discover new passions you never knew you had and build friendships and memories that will last forever, whether that’s joining the debate team, or getting recruited by Jen for a school play, or simply showing up to a club meeting out of curiosity.
Spots near SA
Between classes, lunch breaks, and after school, you’ll find some places that feel like home. Some are tucked away on the corners of campus, while others are just a short walk away. Some common favorites among the SA community are the library, Ziegler Point, and our new ping pong tables! The library is seen as a pleasant space that’s suitable for studying as well as a quiet place to relax and collect your thoughts. Ziegler Point is known for its scenic view of our campus, as well as a place to let your thoughts flow. This year’s new ping pong tables have strengthened our community; everyone gathers around the tables and cheers for one another.
Our SA community is built from students coming from a multitude of counties, and a big portion of our student body is involved in extracurricular activities and doesn’t know Santa Rosa too well. So, we gathered some local favorite spots to grab a bite before or after your activities.
Las Palmas, down the Santa Rosa avenue, is Costa’s favorite go-to restaurant. A common favorite is Chipotle, as well as the Ohana Hawaiian BBQ. Lucas says, “It’s a great place with great food at a good price.”
We can’t forget our favorite of them all, which is El Roy’s. This food truck is known
for its “delicious authentic Mexican food, which is easy, accessible, and convenient.” (Valeria ‘27).
So, if you are ever looking for good nearby places to grab a bite, don’t hesitate to ask your fellow peers for their recommendations!
A word from Luc
Luc Martin is Sonoma Academy’s amazing Director of Admissions. Since 2011, he has witnessed classes and students from all walks of life begin their SA journey, which has given him an extensive knowledge of what it takes to succeed at SA.
Martin advised that “students who are successful during the transition to Sonoma Academy, whether a freshman or a transfer, are students who are not only not afraid to participate, but excited to.”
Curiosity is one of the most emphasized traits at Sonoma Academy. If you have a question or want to know more about anything, just ask. The emphasis on participation is vital to classroom engagement. Classes are very hands-on and student-driven, so in order to have the best possible experience, ask the questions, volunteer even when it’s scary, and never be afraid to voice your opinion.
“A lot of us teachers and staff work here because we think teenagers are just awesome. It’s really an amazing, fun group to work with. And everybody just wants to support you and build those connections with you. I think it’s those deep connections that you have with your teachers, trusted adults, and your peers that make this really such a special place,” Martin mused.
He continued, “There are a lot of opportunities for you. So we always encourage students to take positive risks, to try something new. I’ve seen students who didn’t think they were a theater kid try out for theater, and now they’re doing big productions and are off at theater schools. Students who have never played a sport try a sport for the first time, and they love it. So take the opportunity and you will learn a lot from that, whether you’re successful at it or not.”
Listen to Martin’s advice: try something new, build close relationships, and always participate.
Final takeaways
You’re coming upon the first steps in what will be one of the most defining journeys of your life. These moments will be ones you look back on forever. Make the most of all your opportunities and treasure every second, it’s going to go by before you even know it. The people here will be the ones who care most and push you to succeed, so ask questions, be curious, and rely on one another. Welcome, you are a part of it.
Martin said it best, “Take it in, really enjoy it. The beginning is something to really look back on and cherish. This is the first step in a big journey.”
