A Look Through the Student Lens: Meet our MICDS Middle Schoolers – Part 1
The heartbeat of the Middle School at MICDS is our fifth through eighth-grade students themselves. Each Middle Schooler comes from a unique background and grows along their own unique path at our School while being supported by the greater MICDS community.
To get to know some of our students, check out the interviews below with a handful of our Middle Schoolers. These students took the time to share who they are as individuals, and they describe life as a Ram from their perspectives. Enjoy meeting some of our students below!
Meet Porter G. '31
Porter joined MICDS this year in seventh grade.
ACADEMICS & INVOLVEMENTS:
What is your favorite subject in school and why?
My favorite subject in school is English because it is fun to read.
What are you involved in outside of academics?
At MICDS, I played on the seventh-grade soccer team and will be playing tennis and squash in the spring. I also play violin in the Ram Orchestra and am a Rambassador. Outside of school, I play soccer for Scott Gallagher and Avanza Sports. Also, I play violin with Teipen Music.
What is your favorite time of day here?
My favorite time of day is early in the morning before school starts. I play basketball in the MAC with friends and other students who get to school early. It’s a great way to start the day. I also really enjoy advisory. Mr. Nolan Clarke, Middle School Science Teacher, is a great advisor, and we have a really fun group of classmates. It’s a home base that I look forward to every day.
What is the coolest project or assignment you’ve worked on this year? Why were you proud of it?
My favorite project was building a cell in science. It was a partner project. I built the cell out of styrofoam and art supplies; my partner did the coding. We were able to make all of the parts of the cell work and connect to their descriptions. It took a lot of time and attention to detail to build, and I am proud of what it looked like and that it really worked.
STUDENT LIFE & CULTURE:
How would you describe student life or the culture of the students here?
I really love being a student at MICDS. I felt welcomed and a part of the school from the first day of seventh grade. When I walk through the halls, I always see someone that I am happy to see and who is happy to see me. In class, we are able to be involved and have lots of discussions. There is always a little bit of fun in class.
Describe the ‘vibe’ of the hallway between classes in three words.
Exciting, happy, curious.
How easy was it to make friends when you first started here?
I went to the Summer Bridge Program and got to know other new students. When school started, I felt very comfortable walking in on the first day because I already knew many of my classmates and a lot of the teachers. The students who had already been at MICDS were very welcoming, and from the beginning, it was hard to tell who had been there and who was just coming from another school. I am so happy with the friends that I have made at MICDS.
If a new student walked onto campus today, what is the most important thing you would want them to know about MICDS?
I would want a new student to know that it looks like a really big school, but it very quickly seems familiar and like home. Teachers and students are happy to help and want you to feel like a part of MICDS from the beginning.
What is your favorite tradition at this school and why?
My favorite tradition so far was Spirit Week. I liked it because everyone seemed happy, and there was a pep rally.
Meet Kiley P. '310
Kiley joined MICDS in fifth grade.
ACADEMICS & INVOLVEMENTS:
What is your favorite subject in school and why?
My favorite subject is orchestra because I love playing violin and practicing new songs in class.
What are you involved in outside of academics?
Here at MICDS, I am a cheerleader, a Rambassador, I’m a part of the Black Student Union, Bible Study Club, and Concert Orchestra. Outside of MICDS, I do lots of volunteering with a non-profit organization called the Day Leadership Academy which helps raise money for charities.
What is your favorite time of day here?
My favorite time of day is whenever I have PE because I love seeing what different games we’re playing.
What is the coolest project or assignment you’ve worked on this year? Why were you proud of it?
I don’t have a specific assignment that has been the coolest, but any lab I’ve done in science would be on the list because we always do different projects using different things like fire, food, or electricity.
STUDENT LIFE & CULTURE:
How would you describe student life or the culture of the students here?
I would say the student life here is very friendly, inclusive, and diverse.
Describe the ‘vibe’ of the hallway between classes in three words.
Loud, social, and funny.
How easy was it to make friends when you first started here?
It was very easy for me to gain friends because of advisory.
If a new student walked onto campus today, what is the most important thing you would want them to know about MICDS?
It may look frightening at first, but in reality, it’s really easy to carve your own path here.
What is your favorite tradition at this school and why?
My favorite tradition is Homecoming because I love seeing all the teams compete against JBS, and the bonfire is so fun with all of the people and food trucks.
Meet Mina A. '31
Mina joined MICDS in seventh grade.
ACADEMICS & INVOLVEMENTS:
What is your favorite subject in school and why?
My favorite subject in school would have to be science because of my class, my teacher, and the learning environment. I have a pretty good class because a bunch of my friends are in my class, which makes learning even more fun.
What are you involved in outside of academics?
Outside of academics, I’m involved in many sports, for school and outside. For outside sports, I do Taekwondo and swimming. For school teams, I have done volleyball and lacrosse!
What is your favorite time of day here?
My favorite time of day in school would have to be FLEX and recess. I love having FLEX because it allows me to get a lot of my homework done, and I can go to other teachers’ rooms if I need any help. I also love having recess as a middle schooler because you get to take a break from class and go outside or just be with your friends in general.
What is the coolest project or assignment you’ve worked on this year? Why were you proud of it?
The coolest project that I have worked on this year would have to be my science project. My partner and I were able to work together to build a good cell model, make a decent code, and wire it to our model.
STUDENT LIFE & CULTURE:
How would you describe student life or the culture of the students here?
The lives of the students here at MICDS would be “busy” but collaborative, focusing on both academics and social grouping. The students here always make sure their homework is done on time, and sometimes call their friends while doing homework so they can work together.
Describe the ‘vibe’ of the hallway between classes in three words.
The ‘vibe’ of the hallway between classes is exciting, different, and communal.
How easy was it to make friends when you first started here?
For me, it was very easy to make many friends when I first started at MICDS. During the Bridge program, I had already made at least a dozen friends before the actual first day of school. When school officially started, I was very social and friendly, so I made friends pretty quickly.
If a new student walked onto campus today, what is the most important thing you would want them to know about MICDS?
The most important thing that I would tell a new student about MICDS would be to not be worried about making friends or having kind teachers because everyone here is nice and fully accepting no matter what.
What is your favorite tradition at this school and why?
My favorite tradition at this school would have to be Homecoming because it is a day of fun experiences, and there are also the weekend games and activities during Homecoming.
Meet Penn G. '30
Penn joined MICDS in seventh grade.
ACADEMICS & INVOLVEMENTS:
What is your favorite subject in school and why?
PE because you’re active a lot, and it helps you become a better athlete.
What are you involved in outside of academics?
Football, Soccer, Basketball, and Maroon Boom (the Middle School pep club).
What is your favorite time of day here?
Probably lunch because you get to see people you might not have classes with.
What is the coolest project or assignment you’ve worked on this year? Why were you proud of it?
The mock trial in history; it made me feel very professional and sophisticated.
STUDENT LIFE & CULTURE:
How would you describe student life or the culture of the students here?
There is a togetherness at MICDS, and it is very lively.
Describe the ‘vibe’ of the hallway between classes in three words.
Fast, social, and entertaining.
How easy was it to make friends when you first started here?
It’s pretty easy if you just are yourself.
If a new student walked onto campus today, what is the most important thing you would want them to know about MICDS?
You should try to get involved in the community to get to know people.
What is your favorite tradition at this school and why?
Homecoming because of the bonfire and then all the sports events the next day.
Meet Elliott H. '30
Elliott joined MICDS in sixth grade.
ACADEMICS & INVOLVEMENTS:
What is your favorite subject in school and why?
My favorite subject is science because I like doing the labs.
What are you involved in outside of academics?
Outside of school, I play ice hockey for the AAA Blues, and I love hanging out with my friends and traveling.
What is your favorite time of day here?
I don’t have one—I love just being able to talk to my friends and having free time.
What is the coolest project or assignment you’ve worked on this year? Why were you proud of it?
My favorite project so far this year has been the French music video assignment. We recorded our video to Soleil Bleu, and it was such a fun project; it’s a great way to learn while having fun.
STUDENT LIFE & CULTURE:
How would you describe student life or the culture of the students here?
I would say that the student life for the different grades definitely varies. I think by eighth grade, you do have a lot more privileges, but also more is expected of you.
Describe the ‘vibe’ of the hallway between classes in three words.
Loud, energetic, and lively.
How easy was it to make friends when you first started here?
Easy! Everybody was so welcoming, and the kids that weren’t new helped everyone with their schedule. Overall, everyone was so helpful and understanding. Everyone was also open to making new friends.
If a new student walked onto campus today, what is the most important thing you would want them to know about MICDS?
That it might seem scary and new, but everybody will welcome you with open arms. Everybody has different interests, making it easy to find friends. Also, there are so many opportunities for all kinds of different interests.
What is your favorite tradition at this school and why?
Homecoming is so fun! Coming from a small school, we never did anything like Homecoming, so it was so fun the first time. It’s also just a very fun event.
Meet Gemma A. '30
Gemma joined MICDS in sixth grade.
ACADEMICS & INVOLVEMENTS:
What is your favorite subject in school and why?
My favorite subject is Spanish because I love learning about different cultures and the way people communicate. It’s fun and engaging, and I enjoy using the language in real-life situations.
What are you involved in outside of academics?
Outside of academics, I’m involved in several sports and activities, including soccer, basketball, boxing, and piano. These activities help me stay active and express myself in different ways.
What is your favorite time of day here?
My favorite time of day is recess because it’s a chance to relax and have fun with my friends. I love the strong sense of community and being able to spend time with everyone in my grade.
What is the coolest project or assignment you’ve worked on this year? Why were you proud of it?
One of the coolest projects I’ve worked on was interviewing family members in sixth grade. I was proud of it because I learned more about my own family history and the experiences that shaped them.
STUDENT LIFE & CULTURE:
How would you describe student life or the culture of the students here?
Student life at MICDS is very diverse, and everyone brings something unique to the community. That diversity makes the school feel welcoming and special.
Describe the ‘vibe’ of the hallway between classes in three words.
Energetic, social, lively.
How easy was it to make friends when you first started here?
At first, it was a little hard because it takes time to find the people you really connect with. Once you do, though, it becomes much easier and more comfortable.
If a new student walked onto campus today, what is the most important thing you would want them to know about MICDS?
Be confident and be yourself. You don’t need to change who you are—your people will find you.
What is your favorite tradition at this school and why?
My favorite tradition is Spirit Week because it’s a time when everyone gets to be creative, dress up, and show school pride together.
Check out our “Inside MICDS” blog to meet even more students. Read about their students and glimpse MICDS from their perspectives. Go Rams!