Welcome Letter from the School Psychologist

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Highland Academy! My name is Logan Johnson, and I am a nationally certified school psychologist. Thanks to a generous donor and mental health grant, I joined the Highland Academy team in August 2022 after working in Chattanooga public schools. As the director of The Center for Student Success, my focus is on supporting the well-being and academic achievement of each and every student.

My office provides a range of services to support your child's well-being. I conduct psychological evaluations to assess for learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and other concerns. I also screen for mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, offering short-term counseling to students in need. The after school tutoring program at Highland Elementary and the Hope Squad at the academy are also vital components of the school’s support system.

Many students today appear fine on the outside but may be battling inner struggles such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, perfectionism, addiction, fear, or trauma. In the age of social media and smartphones, this has only worsened. These challenges can drive teens into isolation, but we believe that God built us for connection—to Him and to each other.

To address these issues, I piloted the Hope Squad program at Highland Academy to foster connections and vulnerability among students. At the beginning of the year, I sent out an anonymous survey asking students to name three friends they would turn to with a personal problem—friends who are good listeners and do not bully. The same names appeared repeatedly, and I invited these students to join the Hope Squad. This peer support team aims to increase inclusion and connectedness by teaching students how to provide friendship, encouragement, and support to those who may have social anxiety or feel isolated.

Hope Squad members are nominated by their peers and selected by school officials for their caring nature, good listening skills, and trustworthiness. They are not asked to act as counselors but are trained to refer peers to trusted adults for help if needed. Members attend weekly meetings where they receive training in mental health topics, suicide prevention, resilience, mental wellness, and anti-bullying. They also have opportunities to develop leadership skills by organizing and participating in school-wide events and activities.

At Highland Academy, we are committed to the well-being and success of your child. If you have any concerns about your son or daughter, please feel free to email me. I am here to help and support your child in any way I can.

Blessings,

Logan Johnson
Director, The Center for Student Success
Nationally Certified School Psychologist