WHEELING — Students returned to Linsly this week for a new school year with a new theme that encourages them to reach for high goals.

Every year embraces an inspirational quote, and this year the words come from author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar.

The new theme is: “Your attitude — not your aptitude — will determine your altitude.”

Justin Zimmerman, Linsly head of school, explained that the new school year brings a renewed sense of normalcy and some exciting new programs for both the Upper School and Middle School at Linsly.

“Our new school theme … sets the tone for the focus of our school year,” he said.

“We are grateful to be back to in-person learning this year, and we want our students to have a growth mindset and a positive attitude. There are so many new opportunities for students to embrace here at Linsly,”

This week 450 students hailing from 26 countries and six states began the 208th academic year at Linsly, and that number is consistent with past years, according to Stacy Creely, director of public relations and assistant director of admissions at Linsly.

“Boarding move in was this past Sunday, but we also have boarding students who are fall athletes and they were already here for pre-season,” she said. “The campus is definitely coming alive. It’s exciting — especially after last year.

“We’re excited to return to what looks like a more normal school year.”

Whether the new year is abnormal or just the “new normal” is open to interpretation. While the term didn’t start off with students and staff being required to wear masks, that changed late last week following recommendations from the Ohio County Health Department that schools implement mask mandates.

The school also wants its students and staff to be vaccinated.

“We have met with (Ohio County Health Department Administrator) Howard Gamble, and we are very much encouraging vaccinations for students and teachers who are eligible,” Creely said. “Most of our faculty and staff already have received them.”

High levels of cleaning and disinfecting will continue to happen at the school, she said.

Students also will continue to see instructors utilizing outdoor classroom opportunities, according to Creely.

“We have the space, and we will continue to use it,” she said.

“One of the few positive things we found as a result of COVID was the use of outside space.”