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Dear Middle School Families,
As we enter the home stretch of the school year, the past month has been a culmination of everything we aim to cultivate in Wellington’s middle school: deep learning, authentic expression, joyful risk-taking, and a strong sense of community. As I move through classrooms, rehearsals, field trips, and advisory check-ins, I am continually inspired by how our faculty create spaces where students feel seen, challenged, and supported. This is the foundation that allows middle schoolers to explore complex ideas, develop their voices, and stretch into the best versions of themselves.
In the classroom, student-centered learning is on full display. Eighth graders are diving deep into their “Science is Everything” projects, exploring topics like the impact of social media on the adolescent brain, the pros and cons of turf versus grass fields, sustainable soap, web design, and even the psychological effects of cats on humans. At the other end of the middle school journey, fifth graders are wrapping up their work as Explorers of the World, researching topics ranging from the U.S. Constitution to Python coding, neurodiversity, dinosaurs, and severe weather. Seventh graders are fully engaged in the comprehensive writing process of the AIR (Argument, Interpretation, Research) project, crafting essays in three distinct styles around a self-selected topic, with presentations just around the corner. In science, they’re also tackling one of my personal favorites – stoichiometry – which, at its heart, is all about finding balance (sorry...you know I had to sneak in at least one pun). Meanwhile, sixth graders are preparing campaign speeches for the Masked Olympian Election Project, blending ethos, logos, and pathos to persuade their peers ahead of next week’s vote.
Students are also discovering and expressing their passions beyond the classroom. The middle school production of “Into the Woods, Jr.” was a spectacular celebration of artistic joy and creativity, with standout performances, robust production design, and impressive vocal work that brought the story to life. Last week’s spring music concerts served as a fitting culmination of our students’ hard work and dedication, with performances that showcased the depth and range of both our musicians and their teachers. And with more than 50 student participants signed up, the upcoming Middle School Talent Show promises an unforgettable mix of singing, dancing, magic, artistry, and comedy; I can’t wait to see what they bring to the stage!
Experiential learning has also been in full swing. This morning, our intrepid sixth graders set off for their overnight adventure in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, while eighth graders headed to Kings Island for a physics field trip that puts centrifugal force to the test. Tomorrow, fifth grade embarks on its final Wilderness Design outing of the year, continuing to harness the natural environment and carry out the learning experiences they’ve designed themselves. And next week, seventh graders will head to COSI to cap off their year with curiosity and hands-on exploration.
Finally, our students have continued to demonstrate leadership and rise to meaningful challenges. The collaborative student-faculty Committee on Community Expectations has been hard at work exploring essential questions: How might we further cultivate a school culture where students are responsible, curious, ambitious, empathetic, and authentic? What shared expectations can we uphold to foster trust, accountability, and integrity within our community? Their work reflects a commitment not just to improving middle school life, but to building it together with care and intention. We look forward to sharing more with you in the months ahead!
Eighth-grade leaders are currently organizing the second-annual House Cup, where Leap House will look to defend its championship. Applications are open for LYCEUM (League of Young Creatives Exploring Universal Meaning), our new honors humanities extension course for seventh and eighth graders next fall. And just last night, a Wellington middle schooler won first place for “Best Special Theme” in the Laws of Life essay contest. I remain in awe of both the scope of opportunity and the remarkable capacity of our students.
As we head into the final weeks of school, here are a few reminders:
- The Middle School Moving Up Ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 29, from 10-11:15 a.m., in the Gard Gym. Students in grades 5 through 7 should arrive at school on time. 8th graders can arrive by 9 a.m. wearing “smart casual” dress. After the ceremony, 8th graders and their families are invited to a celebratory reception in the Thomas Family Dining Room, while students in grades 5, 6, and 7 are officially dismissed for summer break!
- Trimester 3 grades and Willing Learner Metric ratings will be posted on Veracross on Tuesday, June 3, at 4 p.m.
- Support The Wellington Fund and Bring the Kindergarten of the Future to Life: We invite you to support The Wellington Fund through a gift toward the renovation of the Rick O’Hara Room (ROHR) into a purpose-built home for kindergarten. A transformative $500,000 gift from Board Chair Jim Croft P ’17 ’20 ’22 and his wife Michelle P ’17 ’20 ’22 allows the project to move forward immediately – creating an environment where the school’s youngest learners can thrive and supporting future building updates identified in the soon-to-be-shared strategic plan. Learn more and join the Crofts in support of this vital project.
I’m so proud of our students for their hard work, their growth, and the ways they’ve stretched themselves this year. I’m equally grateful to work alongside a team of dedicated, talented educators who put students at the center of everything they do. I’ll leave you with a note some of our eighth graders recently received from author David Grann: "With smart, engaged young people like you, the world will be a much better place.” With your continued partnership at home, I’m confident that the work we’re doing here at Wellington is helping to make that future a reality.
With joy,
Louis
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