Upper School Dean Daniel George recently said goodbye to the graduating class of seniors and has already jumped into getting to know his new class, the rising freshmen of the Class of 2030. Per MICDS tradition, each class gets its dean in the first year of Upper School, and the dean tracks with the class all the way until they graduate four years later.
Eager to begin his tenure with his new charges, Dean George visited the Middle School at a special assembly for eighth-grade students. He had some wisdom to share with these burgeoning high schoolers:
As you begin ninth grade, you will notice that you are given more freedom and independence. With that freedom comes the opportunity to build trust. High school is not just about how you act when adults are watching; it is about the choices you make, the way you treat others, and how you follow expectations even when nobody is looking. Your character is built in those quiet moments.
You will also need to take greater ownership of your communication, organization, and decision-making. Learn to advocate for yourself, ask questions, and stay informed. At the same time, remember that you do not have to figure everything out alone. Use your parents, teachers, advisors, coaches, and other trusted adults for guidance and support along the way.
Ninth grade is a fresh start and an opportunity to grow into the person you want to become. Do not let middle school labels, past mistakes, or old social groups define you. You have the chance to reset, explore new interests, and build new habits that reflect who you truly want to be.
Most importantly, give people a chance. Be open to meeting new classmates and forming unexpected friendships. Sometimes, the people you may have overlooked in the past become the friends who support you the most in high school. Stay curious, kind, and open-minded as you begin this new chapter.
After his brief remarks, the eighth graders put Dean George on the Hot Seat. Through rapid-fire questions, they learned about his background, how he came to teaching, and what landed him at MICDS. They learned he prefers savory over sweet, mornings to nights, and indoor activities over outdoor activities.
For their part, the students are just as eager for Dean George to get to know them. They spent time creating an introduction video for him, sharing what they’ve learned, what they value, and what they’re still working on.
What a recipe for success! We are confident that Dean George and the Class of 2030 will have a wonderful four years of learning and growing together. Here’s to this fall, when we’re all back on campus and the new adventure begins!