Trinity High School has opened the 2026-27 academic year in Garfield Heights, Ohio, with more than 500 students returning to campus, nearly 150 freshmen joining the Class of 2030, and several new staff members preparing to begin their work with students.
The new school year has already brought a noticeable sense of activity to the campus. Students returned to reconnect with classmates, select lockers, meet teachers and settle into new schedules. Faculty and staff also spent time preparing for the year before students arrived.
The latest developments include new classroom leadership, changes in athletics and a full schedule of early-year activities. The school has also continued its emphasis on student development, faith, service and preparation for life after graduation.
A New School Year Begins With More Than 500 Students
The opening of the academic year brought the entire student body together on campus.
More than 500 students gathered in the gym for a welcome address from Principal Bill Svoboda. The gathering gave students an opportunity to begin the year together before heading to their first-period classes.
The school reported 515 students at the start of the new academic year.
Students then received their class assignments and learned which teachers they would have during the new school year. Lunch schedules also became part of the first-day routine as students adjusted to their daily schedules.
The opening carried particular significance for freshmen. Nearly 150 new students joined the school as members of the Class of 2030.
Rather than immediately placing freshmen into the full school routine, the school gave them dedicated time to become familiar with the campus. The approach allowed new students to learn where they needed to go and meet members of the school community before the entire student body returned.
For many students, those first days provide an important transition from middle school to high school.
Nearly 150 Freshmen Join the Class of 2030
The freshman class is one of the most important developments at the beginning of the new school year.
Nearly 150 students entered the school as members of the Class of 2030. Their arrival adds a large group of new students to the campus and begins a new four-year chapter for them.
Freshman orientation focused on helping students become comfortable with their surroundings.
Students had opportunities to learn the layout of the building, meet teachers and understand how their daily schedules would work. They also had time to become familiar with classmates before the full student body returned.
That early adjustment can make the first weeks of high school easier.
Once regular classes began, freshmen became part of the same daily academic and extracurricular environment as the school’s returning students.
The Class of 2030 will now move through its first semester while becoming more involved in classroom activities, athletics, clubs and other aspects of student life.
Students Reconnect Before Classes Begin
The return to campus started before the first regular school day.
An annual locker draft gave students a chance to return to the halls, reconnect with friends and choose their lockers. Students could also visit the Spirit Shop and look through new school merchandise.
The event provided a casual introduction to the new year.
For returning students, it was an opportunity to see friends again after the summer break. For younger students, it offered another chance to become familiar with the building.
Having students back on campus before classes officially began also helped create a smoother transition into the academic year.
The event reflected the community aspect of student life, where school activities can serve as more than simple administrative preparations.
Four New Staff Members Join the School
The 2026-27 year also brings several new faces to the faculty and staff.
The school has introduced four new staff members as part of its preparations for the academic year.
Among them is Alex Flauto, who joins the school as an information technology teacher. Flauto graduated from DePaul University with a degree in cybersecurity.
His background gives him a strong connection to a subject that continues to play a major role in education and modern careers.
Flauto has expressed an interest in helping students understand how technology can be used to solve problems. His interests outside school include outdoor activities, music and visiting national parks.
Another new member is Bruce Saban, who joins after working in the Parma City School District.
Saban brings more than three decades of experience in education and has a particular interest in history. He has also traveled to Europe for trips focused on World War II history.
In addition to teaching, Saban has experience coaching football and is joining the school community with both classroom and athletic interests.
Tom Urig is another new member of the staff. The school has also introduced him as part of the group of four new employees joining for the academic year.
The addition of new educators gives students access to different professional backgrounds and experiences as they begin the new school year.
New Leadership Arrives in Boys Basketball
Athletics is another major area of change.
Frankie Hughes has been named the new head boys basketball coach for the 2026-27 season.
Hughes has a strong connection to the Cleveland-area basketball community. He grew up in Cleveland and played at Garfield Heights High School.
During his high school career, Hughes became a 1,000-point scorer and helped Garfield Heights reach the Ohio Final Four in consecutive seasons. He also received national recognition during his playing career.
His basketball experience continued after high school.
Hughes played college basketball at several programs, including Missouri, Duquesne and San Diego. He also continued his playing career at Slippery Rock University.
After college, he played professionally for Satria Muda in Indonesia.
His transition into coaching eventually brought him to Trinity.
The new coach has emphasized discipline, accountability, relationships and effort as important elements of his coaching philosophy.
That approach puts attention on more than game results. Hughes is also focused on helping players develop confidence, leadership and character.
His arrival gives the boys basketball program a new direction as the 2026-27 season approaches.
Volleyball Program Enters the Year With New Leadership
The volleyball program also has a new head coach.
Tierra Cargile was appointed to lead the program during the new school year.
Her arrival gives another major athletic program new leadership at the beginning of the 2026-27 academic year.
Volleyball players have already been preparing for the season. The school scheduled tryouts for August 4 and August 5, with different time periods for freshmen and upperclassmen.
Players were required to have their athletic paperwork updated, including their OHSAA physical information and Final Forms requirements.
The early preparation allows the program to move toward its competitive season while students adjust to the academic year.
Football Season Gets Underway
Football is also part of the early fall sports schedule.
The Trojans opened their 2026 schedule on August 21 against Malvern. The schedule then continues with a home game against Orrville on August 28 before a September 4 road game at Rootstown.
The football season gives students and families another opportunity to gather around the school community during the opening weeks of the academic year.
Fall athletics also brings a different rhythm to campus. Practices, games and team activities become part of the weekly schedule while students balance those commitments with their classes.
For athletes, the start of the season provides an opportunity to establish themselves under the new school year’s expectations.
Career Preparation Remains Part of Student Life
The school continues to provide opportunities for students to explore careers before graduation.
Its Pre-Professional Internship program remains an important part of that effort.
The program connects students with workplace experiences and allows them to learn more about professional environments while they are still in high school.
A senior parent meeting for the program is scheduled for August 24.
The internship program is designed to give participating students practical exposure to professional responsibilities. Such experiences can help students better understand the expectations they may encounter after high school.
Career preparation is particularly important for older students who are beginning to make decisions about college, training and employment.
Academic Technology Gets New Classroom Attention
The arrival of an information technology teacher adds another dimension to the school’s academic offerings.
Cybersecurity and technology continue to influence education and the workplace. Bringing an educator with a cybersecurity background into the classroom creates an opportunity for students to explore technology from a practical perspective.
Flauto’s role will include helping students understand how technology can be applied to solve problems.
The subject can also introduce students to skills that have relevance across many industries.
For students who are already interested in computers, cybersecurity or technology, the new course leadership could provide an important opportunity to explore those interests further.
Faculty Prepare Together for the New Year
Teachers and staff also spent time preparing before students returned.
Faculty and staff gathered at Punderson Manor ahead of the school year. The retreat included time for reflection, discussion and preparation around the school’s theme for the year.
The staff addressed challenges that educators may encounter during the academic year and discussed ways to support one another.
The preparation period reflects the work that takes place behind the scenes before students arrive.
Teachers need to prepare lessons, classrooms and schedules while also considering how they will support students throughout the year.
The school has continued to emphasize a community-centered approach as faculty members prepare for another academic year.
The School Year Moves Into Its Regular Routine
After the excitement of the opening days, students are now moving into regular classroom routines.
Schedules become more predictable as students learn their teachers’ expectations and establish study habits.
Freshmen are adapting to the larger responsibilities that come with high school. Returning students are adjusting to new classes and preparing for the demands of another grade level.
Seniors face an especially important year as they consider what comes after graduation.
For them, academic work can overlap with college planning, career exploration and internship opportunities.
The school’s different programs give students several ways to prepare for their next stage.
Important Dates Remain on the August Calendar
Several activities remain scheduled as the school moves through August.
School pictures were scheduled for August 21.
The Pre-Professional Internship senior parent meeting is scheduled for August 24.
Sophomores and juniors are scheduled for a virtual day on August 27.
These activities come during the first weeks of the school year, when students are still settling into their schedules.
Families will need to keep track of individual school announcements as additional events and activities take place throughout the semester.
A School Year Defined by New Beginnings
The opening of the 2026-27 academic year brings several changes at once.
A new freshman class has arrived. Four new staff members have joined the school. Athletic programs have new leadership, and students are beginning another year of academic work.
The combination creates a busy start to the school calendar.
For freshmen, the year is about discovering a new environment and building relationships.
For upperclassmen, the focus increasingly shifts toward academic progress, leadership and preparation for life after graduation.
Athletes are beginning competitive seasons, while students interested in career experiences can explore internship opportunities.
Teachers are also beginning another year of working directly with students and helping them reach their academic and personal goals.
What Lies Ahead
The coming weeks will bring more athletic competitions, classroom activities and student events.
The football team has already entered its regular-season schedule. Volleyball and basketball programs are also moving through their preparations under new coaching leadership.
In the classroom, students will settle into their courses and begin the work that will define the first semester.
Freshmen will continue becoming part of the broader school community. Seniors will face important decisions about their next steps.
The new staff members will also begin establishing their roles and relationships with students.
All of these developments will shape the first part of the 2026-27 school year.
For now, the campus has moved successfully from summer preparation into a new academic routine.
Final Thoughts
The opening of the 2026-27 school year has brought a fresh start across the campus. More than 500 students are back in classes, nearly 150 freshmen have joined the Class of 2030, and new teachers and coaches are beginning their work with students.
With academics, athletics, internships and student activities all moving forward, the months ahead will bring plenty of opportunities for students to learn, compete and become more involved in the school community.
What do you think about the latest developments at Trinity High School? Share your thoughts and stay connected for more updates as the school year continues.