Our middle school is dedicated to nurturing students who excel academically and emerge as confident, capable leaders. From tackling complex college-level concepts to developing original initiatives that create connections throughout our school community, our eighth graders’ work this year showcases an inspiring blend of deep learning and impactful engagement. They’ve achieved personal milestones and enriched the experience for their peers and younger students, setting a powerful example.
Advanced Studies: Excelling in College-Level Exam
Imagine tackling a college-level course in eighth grade! That’s exactly what some students did with our Advanced Studies AP Psychology course. Students explore everything from the biological foundations of our actions to complex cognitive functions and how we interact in social psychology. The final exam challenges their understanding of psychological theories, research methods, and their ability to apply these concepts.
Sena B. achieved the highest possible score: a 5 out of 5, demonstrating true mastery of the subject. Matilda D. and Yael P. earned 3 out of 5, an exceptional accomplishment for eighth-graders taking on this demanding material.
“I gained a deeper understanding of the complexity of our brains’ abilities,” says Sena B. “I was surprised at how even the simplest of tasks require multiple regions of the brain working in coordination. I would recommend that future eighth graders taking this class space out their studying throughout the year to ensure thorough preparation for the exam.”
Yael P. agrees, adding, “Taking detailed notes significantly improved the ease and reliability of my memorization. Her advice to future students: “Frontload your work; you can always study using extra time! Additionally, look for external study resources. There’s a great Quizlet online with all 400-plus vocabulary words that helped me.”
“We are incredibly proud of Matilda, Sena, and Yael for their outstanding achievement in the AP Psychology course and on the exam,” says Head of School Marek Beck, Ph.D., who oversees the Advanced Studies program and was the facilitator of the AP Psychology course. “Our eighth graders taking on — and excelling at — college-level material speaks volumes about their intellect, dedication, and resilience. This success is a powerful testament to their hard work. It also highlights the strong foundational skills they’re honing at EMS, skills that are preparing them for advanced academic pursuits in high school and beyond.”
Capstone8: Where Ideas Transform into Action
Each year, our Capstone8 projects empower eighth graders to become proactive leaders. The program encourages them to research and apply their knowledge and passions to real-world challenges. And this year’s students delivered! They dove into independent, in-depth research, creating projects that showed clear, tangible impact and helped them develop invaluable skills. This year-end project is a true culmination of their academic journey and our signature Leadership Lab curriculum.
A fantastic example of student leadership came from Eitan F., Evalyn L., Yael P., and Brandon W. These students stepped into direct mentorship roles, bringing elements of the Leadership Lab to our fourth-grade students. Over several weeks, they led sessions, starting with practical presentation skills, covering everything from commanding body language to connecting with eye contact. Our Little School students immediately tested these lessons with impromptu 40-second presentations, a testament to how quickly our younger students absorbed these communication skills, inspired by our eighth graders.
Sena B. and Matilda D. directly applied their knowledge of psychology to create presentations for our fifth-grade students. They explored memory and strategies for improved retention, engaging our younger students with interactive games and activities. They recorded their activities and shared their findings, demonstrating strong research and presentation abilities.
Emma R. launched “Sincerely, Emma,” an EMS advice column focused on helping fellow students navigate common challenges like friendship problems, academic hurdles, and high school application questions. This initiative highlighted her empathy, problem-solving skills, and ability to connect with the community.
“The most rewarding aspect of my project has been receiving positive feedback, knowing that I have been a valuable support and a helpful hand in resolving issues or answering questions,” says Emma R. “It has helped me know that others are dealing with the same obstacles and reminds me that I should also follow my advice. My problem-solving skills have sharpened since I’ve spent more time reflecting on resolving conflicts that aren’t my own.”
Before embarking on these projects, every eighth grader narrowed down a topic of interest, developed an essential question, and outlined how their project would impact the community. On June 2, our community was invited to review these impressive projects at an interactive exhibition in the Peter Lawrence Gymkhana.
“What you see in this museum-style display is the culmination of years of growth and our students’ active commitment to leadership,” says Head of Middle School and Director of Secondary School Placement Jed Silverstein, Ph.D., “These meaningful, personal journeys are a testament to their readiness to tackle real-world challenges and inspire positive change in their communities.”
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