As students in the Montgomery County school district prepare to head back to class on Monday, one principal is making house calls to give his students a head start.

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Walking up the steps of one home in the county, Edward Owusu, principal at Shady Grove Middle School, is doing what he’s done all summer long.

“It builds that school to home relationship,” he said.

For the fourth summer in a row, Principal Owusu’s reaching out to student before they head back to class.

Rising seventh grader Alexandra Salas Chamoun is one of the more than 40 students to have the principal in her home.

“It’s kind of awkward,” she said.

Usually, a school administrator only visits a child’s home when something isn’t going right, but Owusu says these visits are about reinforcing the positive.

Alex, as she likes to be called, is a straight-A student, a member of the National Junior Honor Society and a soccer player.

With her principal and mom by her side, her counselor uses this visit to review grades, test scores and set goals for the next year.

“My goal for you honestly is to join SGA,” Owusu told Alex.

“I think it’s encouraging as a parent,” said Alex’s mom Caroline. “Our kids’ lives and school experiences is in their hands.”

After this visit, Alex also feels more encouraged about the new school year.

“They just came and talked about school and it makes you feel good,” Alex said.

So how will she feel come Monday morning? “Excited and nervous,” Alex laughed.