Why Arete Academy Doesn’t Celebrate Valentine’s Day

At Arete Academy, we believe that every decision we make should reflect our values. While many schools celebrate Valentine’s Day with parties, candy, and card exchanges, we have chosen a different path—one that prioritizes mindfulness, meaningful connections, and sustainability.

Overstimulation and Disruption

For many young learners, school parties—especially those filled with sugar, noise, and social expectations—can be overstimulating and disruptive. Younger children may struggle with sensory overload, while older students can feel unnecessary pressure around gift-giving and social dynamics. Instead of being fun, it often ends up inducing chaos.

Materialism and a Commitment to Reducing Waste

Beyond the overstimulation, Valentine’s Day celebrations create significant waste. The emphasis on giving and getting small trinkets reinforces materialism rather than thoughtfulness and we want to raise children who find joy in relationships, not in accumulating things. Store-bought cards, plastic-wrapped candy, and cheap, disposable trinkets are often used for a moment and then thrown away. We don’t want to ask parents to buy things that will end up in the trash. Instead, we are building a culture of environmental responsibility where children learn to value what truly matters and make mindful choices about consumption.

By opting out of Valentine’s Day, we reinforce the idea that our time, energy, and resources should be spent on things that create lasting value—strong relationships, creativity, and stewardship of our environment.

What We Do Instead

Rather than designating one day for kindness and appreciation, we integrate these values into our daily practices. Learners are encouraged to:

• Show appreciation to their peers through end-of-the-day character callouts.
• Engage in meaningful discussions about character.
• Create and contribute to their community in meaningful ways rather than simply consuming.
• Practice environmental responsibility by being thoughtful about what they consume.

At Arete Academy, we are raising children who value people over possessions, who express kindness without being prompted by a holiday, and who make choices that reflect care for themselves, others, and the world around them.