On Wednesday, April 1, newly accepted Middle School families flocked to the McDonnell Athletic Center (MAC) for the Middle School Accepted Families Celebration. This annual event welcomes our newest fifth through eighth-grade admits and allows them to spend an hour being celebrated in honor of their acceptance. At the extravaganza, attendees meet current Middle School students, speak with members of the Middle School faculty, participate in activities, and get questions answered by MICDS administrators and current parents. By the end of the morning, it’s a sincere hope that each accepted family feels more at home in considering MICDS for the formative Middle School years ahead!
This is a very special event for the new accepts and for our Admission team. “The Middle School Acceptance Celebration is one of our favorite events of the year as it is the culmination of the admissions process, a months-long mutual discovery for families and the School to find the right fit,” reflects Eric Brunt ’02, Director of Enrollment Management. “We love celebrating with our future Rams on this day as we see our next classes coming together. It is a proud day to be a Ram!”
Many current community members helped pull off the vibrant and festive event. Band and orchestra students performed welcoming music for families as they arrived in the MAC Atrium. Inside the MAC, numerous parent ambassadors and student Rambassadors were on standby to greet and chat with families. Varsity Cheerleaders assisted with a photo booth and a red tube raffle.
Back by popular demand, newly accepted students were challenged to participate in a scavenger hunt that fostered building connections in their new communities. Some of the fun prompts were as follows:
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Tell a Librarian or English teacher about a book you love.
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Find out the name of a future classmate.
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High five a Rams Cheerleader.
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Create a character and try on a costume with Arts Department Chair Dr. Bonnie Carpenter.
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Try out an instrument at the Instrument Test Drive table.
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Snap a celebratory picture at the MICDS photo wall.
- Meet your Class Dean.
During the event, families got to hear from two current students who gave advice to the new Middle School Rams. In his remarks, Charlie Miller ’30 wanted families to know that they have a ton of support at MICDS, and he reminded students to ask questions and have fun. Senior Class President Riley Crawford ’26 joined MICDS in seventh grade. She reflected back to that moment and also encouraged new students with her own advice.
Associate Director of Middle School Admission Kerry Bryan states, “I love the entire feeling of this event. We are fun at MICDS, and this event feels true to what new students will experience as Rams in the Middle School!” Thank you to all who attended and to all who helped make this event such a success. A very warm and exciting welcome to our newest Middle School Rams!