Middle School

The Middle School Student Council launched a new spring event this year with the debut of the May Fair, an interactive activity designed to replace the traditional Spring Dance. Planned by members of the Middle School Student Council with support from teacher Jordan Rochelson, the carnival-themed evening brought together students from Grades 6 through 8 for games, karaoke, s’mores, raffle prizes, and athletic activities. Student organizers spent weeks developing ideas and coordinating logistics to create a more engaging and welcoming social event. The final event was a resounding success, already inspiring ideas for more activities next year.

Grade 8 students stepped into the enchanted world of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in English class, transforming Shakespeare’s language into a lively, performance-based experience. Over the course of two weeks, students closely examined selected scenes, working to decode Elizabethan English and develop the confidence to express it with clarity and emotion. The unit culminated in dramatic readings, in which students presented their interpretations to an audience of peers.

Family history became a lens for understanding global migration as Grade 6 social studies students launched their population unit with a Family Immigration Story poster project. Through interviews and visual storytelling, students explored when, why, and how their families moved, while identifying broader patterns such as push and pull factors. The project encouraged students to think like geographers and reflect on identity, culminating in presentations that highlighted shared experiences and unique journeys, making abstract concepts of migration more meaningful and relevant.

The 11th annual El Sistema Residency brought together 150 student musicians for a weekend of intensive collaboration, where participants worked in small, cross-program ensembles to compose and perform original pieces built on a shared musical foundation. Beginning with a showcase of visiting programs and culminating in a seamless, symphonic-style performance, the residency emphasized both individual expression and collective creativity. Guided by professional musicians and fueled by long rehearsal days, students developed musical skills and formed connections, reinforcing El Sistema’s mission of using music as a powerful tool for community, collaboration, and personal growth.

On March 2, incoming Head of Middle School John Mathews met with current parents for a relaxed meet-and-greet, where he shared information about his life in independent schools and his educational philosophy. If you were unable to attend, please enjoy this video Mathews recorded. We look forward to him joining us next fall!

Give Back Tuesdays bring energy and heart to winter afternoons, turning the end of the middle school day into an opportunity for students to make a real difference in the community. The flexible after-school program allows students to choose service activities that resonate with them. Through partnerships with organizations such as Baking Happiness Co., Person to Person, Filling in the Blanks, and the Boys and Girls Club of Stamford, students package cookies, assemble weekend snack bags, and mentor younger children. With eight to ten students participating in each session, the initiative fosters meaningful connections, hands-on impact, and an expanding network of community collaborations.