Middle School

When Nico started grade six at KIS, he wasn’t sure what to expect. His family had just arrived from a year in Beijing and before that, he’d attended school in Washington, D.C. Nico was nervous about finding his way around campus. “But then two students said hello,” he remembers and that connection helped him feel welcome. 

As a middle school student, Nico enjoys making academic and co-curricular choices that match his interests. He also appreciates that each class has its own dynamic allowing him to get to know different students as they learn together. Two of his favorite classes – math and science – are interesting to him because they help explain how the world works. Another favorite class is PE which gives him a chance to try games from around the world, like Gaelic football.

Nico now continues to build the community that first welcomed him! At lunch he feels comfortable sitting with people he may not know well. “Everyone is nice and will talk with you,” he says. That sense of belonging is essential in middle school as all students develop friendships that nourish their social-emotional well-being.

Saanvi belongs at KIS. Our middle schoolers know they are part of many communities – their school, cultures and regions, the world. Saanvi appreciates learning about issues like climate change and potential solutions like reforestation. She likes to think about where she fits in this big world. But Saanvi also values the strong, daily connections she has at KIS. Learning to trust yourself and others is part of growing up. In the classroom, Saanvi likes that she can practice independence and collaboration. 

Even though Saanvi has been part of KIS for several years, she remembers what it feels like to be new and likes to welcome new students. She believes kindness is important and wants you to know that you belong here too.