Middle School

The inaugural Founders' Cup ended in thunderous celebration as Team Low hoisted the trophy before a roaring crowd during Middle School Prize Day. The year-long competition celebrated student strengths across academics, arts, athletics, and character. From designing banners and battling in an epic Capture the Flag match to acing the Geography Bee and earning points through spirit, leadership, and kindness, the race for the Cup was fierce and fun. The grand finale on Field Day featured a sprawling 33-event relay, a splashy water brigade, and an electric tug-of-war that had the whole school on its feet. More than just a trophy, the event celebrated connection, pride, and the best of what it means to be part of King.

Laughter, reflection, and a few proud tears filled the air as King School’s Grade 8 students marked their official move to Upper School. With heartfelt speeches, shared memories, and a powerful sendoff, the Moving Up Ceremony celebrated not just academic achievement but the character, growth, and spirit that define the Class of 2029. It was a moment of transition, full of pride, promise, and the excitement of what lies ahead.

As the school year came to a close, the middle school community gathered on June 5 for its annual Prize Day and closing assembly, a celebration of student achievement, growth, and character. Students were recognized for academic excellence, athletic accomplishments, leadership, and personal development. The ceremony highlighted those who exemplify King’s core values and have made a lasting impact on their peers and the school community.

As the school year draws to a close, King School’s Grade 8 students delivered a dynamic and personal finale to their middle school journey with the second-semester R.E.A.D.Y. project presentations on Monday, May 19. Family and friends attended the event, where students shared thought-provoking work that blended academic inquiry with creative expression. This semester's topics included mental health through a multicultural lens, the impact of short-form sports media, and brain injury awareness via a light-up silicone model, and more. This culminating event was more than a showcase — it was a celebration of how far the students have come, and a fitting send off into their next chapter.

In a spirited and ambitious performance, middle school students brought the musical mystery “Curtains: Young@Part" to life with humor, heart, and teamwork. The production challenged the cast with its fast-paced plot, complex characters, and ensemble-driven energy, giving students a meaningful opportunity to grow as performers. With guidance from faculty and a supportive rehearsal process, students gained confidence as they took on the show’s emotional depth and theatrical challenges.

Grade 6 Spanish students deepened their language proficiency, storytelling abilities, and cultural understanding through a project-based lesson centered on the Chilean legend of the Chanchito de Chile, which centers around a small, three-legged pig believed to bring good luck and protection. After learning about the cultural significance of the piglet through Spanish stories, students crafted clay chanchitos and wrote narratives using vocabulary and grammar they had studied throughout the year. The project included reading, writing, speaking, and listening assessments aligned with American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages standards, and led to a heartwarming presentation to lower school students, where the handmade figurines, symbolic of resilience and luck, were shared.

Crash test dummies, step aside — Grade 8 scientists are behind the wheel! In the thrilling finale of their “Forces In Motion” unit, the Egg Mobile Project, students were tasked with designing a vehicle that could safely protect and recover two eggs after a simulated collision. Inspired by the classic egg drop test and real-world car safety systems, students applied lessons on motion, energy, and Newton’s laws to build and refine crash-resistant contraptions. With a steep ramp, a crash wall, and only ten seconds to "rescue" their eggs, the project fused science with suspense.

From life-saving medical research to futuristic engineering prototypes, King School’s Research and Innovation Night spotlighted the bold curiosity and real-world impact of student work. Projects ranged from AI-powered cancer prediction tools to carbon nanotube water filters, all developed by students through the ASPIRE program and Innovation Lab. The evening offered a hands-on look at how inquiry-based learning and student-driven exploration are fueling breakthrough ideas — and preparing the next generation of scientists, engineers, and changemakers.

More than 180 students took center stage during King’s tenth annual El Sistema Residency, a weekend that blended creativity, collaboration, and musical discovery. Over the course of just a weekend, they worked side-by-side with professional musicians and guest artist Pete Francis P’31 to compose original music, experiment with improvisation, and explore new forms of self-expression. From spontaneous solos to group compositions, the residency offered students a chance to lead, connect, and grow — showcasing the power of music to build connection, confidence, and joy.