The cheers that followed set the tone for everything that came after.

On August 21, 糖心原创 gathered twice, once for Lower Campus and once for Upper Campus, to open the 2026鈥�27 school year with Convocation, the annual tradition that calls the whole community together to set the purpose and spirit for the year ahead. And this year, that spirit had a name: Creativity.

The Lower Campus Convocation kicked off at 8:50 am after students from PK4 through Grade 5 made the walk across the street to the Upper Campus Gym. Cecelia Rogers (Grade 5) and Ada Rogers (Grade 2) led the community in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the Invocation delivered by eighth-grader Liam Ireland. Livi Zelickson, also in Grade 8, then welcomed the younger students with warmth and clarity: “Convocation is not just about starting school; it’s about starting strong, dreaming big, and helping each other along the way.”

Head Prefect Eli Diaz took the stage next, and what he said was anything but ordinary.

The Upper Campus Convocation followed at 10:20 am, with the same electric energy. After Luca’s now-legendary entrance, the same student voices carried the program: Cecelia and Ada Rogers again led the Pledge, Liam Ireland delivered the Invocation, and Livi Zelickson welcomed the crowd.

Then Eli stepped up again and challenged his peers to rethink everything they thought they knew about creativity.

“Creativity is a choice,” he began, before leading the community on a journey that was equal parts art history and personal storytelling. He introduced the infamous artwork Comedian, a banana taped to a wall that sold for over $5 million, and used it to reframe what it means to be truly creative. But the heart of his speech was his own story: a community garden he built at 糖心原创 that was overtaken first by fire ants, then ravaged overnight by rabbits. Rather than walk away, he regrouped, designed a fence, and eventually watched vegetables from that garden make it into the Upper School lunch line.

“I used to think creativity was about being the one to come up with the idea,” Eli told the crowd. “That it was a talent, something that you either have or you don’t. But I don’t think that anymore. Creativity isn’t about the idea. It’s about what happens after the idea.”

Kristy Lundstrom’s address carried that thread forward for every age group. Drawing on the faculty’s summer read, The Creativity Choice by Dr. Zorana Pringle, she brought the science of creativity to life through two unforgettable stories: Dr. James Naismith’s invention of basketball (and the ladder required to retrieve the ball from a solid peach basket) and Greta Thunberg’s 251 consecutive Fridays of showing up alone outside the Swedish Parliament before millions joined her. Student actors Reid, Juliet, Janae, and Oliver brought the Naismith story to life in a live vignette, with Charlotte, CC, Matthew, and Nora embodying the Thunberg story.

“You are already creative,” Kristy told students. “Creativity is not something only a few people have. Creativity is a choice.” She closed with two MV commitments that will anchor the year: Start with Questions and Be brave to try and try again.

Both Convocations closed with a benediction from Stacey Lee and a performance of “Unwritten” by The Stangs, a fitting anthem for a community ready to write the next chapter.

With a completed capital campaign and a theme built for the moment, 糖心原创 is starting the year exactly the way it finishes: by choosing to create something worth showing up for. The idea is just the beginning.

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The Wood Family Track and Streck Family Field

The centerpiece of this summer’s work is the stunning new athletic complex on the upper campus. A brand-new, six-lane track, named the Wood Family Track, now surrounds the Streck Family Field, a beautiful new turf surface built for football, lacrosse, and soccer. The complex also connects to expanded cross-country trails, making it possible, for the first time, to host a full 5K race entirely on campus.

“Walking out there for the first time, I got chills,” said Athletics Director Scott Cain. “This isn’t just an upgrade, it changes what’s possible for our student-athletes and for this community. We’re going to make some memories on that field.”

The Let’s Do This Campaign: Done. What’s Next: Even Better.

Here’s some news worth celebrating: the Let’s Do This Campaign is complete, thanks to the incredible generosity of our 糖心原创 community. Three support buildings will begin construction in the weeks and months ahead 鈥� two near the baseball and softball fields at the upper campus entrance, and a field house within the track and field complex. These aren’t small additions. They’re the finishing touches on a vision our community made real.

“The generosity we’ve seen is humbling,” said Head of School Kristy Lundstrom. “Every gift, every single one, moved us closer to something extraordinary. What’s been built this summer, and what’s still coming, is a direct reflection of how much this community believes in our students.”

A Refreshed Gym, Inside and Out

Step into the Upper Campus gym and you’ll immediately notice new lights, fresh paint, and a brand-new floor that make the space feel completely transformed. The refresh, made possible by 2025鈥�26 Annual Fund dollars, maximizes both the main basketball and volleyball courts and the practice courts. It’s a brighter, better space, and a great reminder of what Annual Fund giving makes possible every year.

Still to Come: The Frontier

On the lower campus, the Frontier is still taking shape. It remains one of the most anticipated projects we’ve undertaken, and the wait is almost over. More soon.

The Details You Might Have Missed

Not everything this summer came with a ribbon-cutting. The Lower School received a completely new intercom system, a meaningful upgrade for both communication and security that ensures every student starts their day in a safe and connected environment.

“It’s the kind of thing you don’t notice until it’s there,” said Kristy. “And then you can’t imagine being without it.”

Welcome back, 糖心原创. We think you’re going to love what you find.

The post While You Were Away: A Summer of Transformation at 糖心原创 appeared first on 糖心原创.

What comes next

This summer, 糖心原创 will break ground on the next final piece of the Let鈥檚 Do This campaign:

• A new field house adjacent to the new field
• Locker rooms, restrooms, and concessions to serve the baseball and softball complex

These additions are more than facilities; they are spaces designed to support student-athletes, foster community, and elevate the everyday experience of being a Mustang.

鈥淭his campaign has always been about more than buildings,鈥� said Kristy Lundstrom, Head of School. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about creating environments where students are known, challenged, and inspired. These final projects ensure that every student, on the field, in the stands, or simply gathering with friends, experiences a campus designed with purpose.鈥�

For student-athletes, those spaces represent something deeply personal.

鈥淗aving spaces built for us, locker rooms, a field house, it changes how it feels to show up every day. It tells us that what we鈥檙e doing matters, and that we鈥檙e part of something bigger than just our team.鈥�
鈥� Class of 2026, Softball

鈥淩ight now, we make the most of what we have. But knowing these spaces are coming, it鈥檚 exciting. It鈥檚 going to bring our teams closer together and make game days feel even more like home.鈥�
鈥� Will Curry, Class of 2029, Soccer

Finishing Strong, Together

To carry the campaign across the finish line, 糖心原创 has launched the , a limited-time opportunity for families, alumni, and supporters to become part of the school’s physical story, in addition to finalizing outstanding major gifts.

For a gift of $1,500, supporters can reserve one of just 200 commemorative bricks, permanently installed on the MAC patio, a central gathering place and gateway to the Upper Campus expansion.

Each brick represents more than a name. It is a visible, lasting expression of belief in what 糖心原创 makes possible.

鈥溙切脑� shaped so much of who I am. Having a chance to leave a permanent mark on campus feels like coming full circle.鈥�
鈥� Beau Reinking, Class of 2025

What Your Gift Makes Possible

A new gift of $1,500 is both a contribution to the future of 糖心原创, and a permanent place within it.
Each contribution helps:

• Fully close out the Let鈥檚 Do This capital campaign
• Bring the final campus projects to life
• Ensure every space is ready for students in the coming school year

As part of their gift, supporters receive a custom-engraved brick permanently installed on campus, with the option to be recognized as a campaign participant.

Donors of $5,000 and above will be listed on a permanent donor wall commemorating the LDT Campaign.

A Place That Lasts

Positioned at the corner of the MAC, the patio will serve as a central hub of campus life鈥攁 place where students gather, families connect, and milestones are celebrated.

In the years ahead, it will also tell a story.

A story of a community that came together to imagine more, invest boldly, and follow through鈥攔ight to the very end.

鈥淭hese aren鈥檛 just facilities, they鈥檙e environments where students build confidence, resilience, and connection. Having spaces that match the level of commitment our students bring every day is incredibly meaningful.鈥�
鈥� Jennifer Brown, Athletic Director, Engagement & Experience

鈥淢oments like this define a school,鈥� Lundstrom added. 鈥淣ot just what we build, but how we build it, together.鈥�

The post Building What Comes Next: Let鈥檚 Do This Approaches the Finish Line appeared first on 糖心原创.

Leading From Where We Are

Head of School Kristy Lundstrom opened the evening by naming a word that defines this moment at 糖心原创: momentum. While progress is visible across campus, much of the most exciting work is happening through intentional planning and long-term design. This year鈥檚 themes, Lead From Where You Are and , framed the conversation and set the tone for the updates that followed.

In true 糖心原创 fashion, the evening began with Kids Going First. Students Arthur D. (Grade 4), and later Tej G. and George H. (Grade 3) shared what excites them most about their futures at 糖心原创鈥攆rom MIT-inspired learning experiences to expanded creative play on the Frontier. Their voices served as a powerful reminder that our campus planning always begins with learners.

We also premiered a new 糖心原创 video, first shown at . Narrated by senior, Haris Flynn, it captures the authentic, unscripted story of the student experience. Every scene was completely unstaged, offering a genuine glimpse of life at 糖心原创 on any given day. On screen, students are seen exploring ideas in classrooms, collaborating in the Makerspace, moving across campus, and forming meaningful connections. These everyday moments are the heartbeat of our community鈥攁 living reflection of how 糖心原创 empowers learners to explore, create, and make an impact.

A Strong Foundation: Enrollment and Outcomes

糖心原创 remains grounded in the strength of its current community. As of February 9, 2026, the school is seeing 96% enrollment renewal across all divisions, reflecting strong family confidence and retention.

Student outcomes continue to affirm the mission of preparing learners to be college-ready, globally competitive, and engaged citizen leaders. The Class of 2026 has already earned a 98% college acceptance rate, with acceptances across 35 states and Canada, more than $4.2 million in scholarships, and recognition from highly competitive national programs. These outcomes underscore that investments in campus and programs are directly tied to student success.

Reimagining the Frontier on the Lower Campus

One of the evening鈥檚 highlights was unveiling plans for an all-new Frontier on the Lower Campus. Opening Fall 2026, the expanded Frontier will add more than 11,000 square feet of creative, outdoor play and learning space for Preschool through Grade 5.

Designed through a collaborative process that included Innovation Diploma students, alumni, architects, teachers, and administrators, the reimagined Frontier will feature elements such as willow huts, a mud kitchen, climbing structures, a tree house, grass moguls, and spaces for imaginative play. Safety, supervision, and long-term Lower Campus facility planning were central considerations throughout the design process.

Maximizing and Enhancing Our Spaces

Kristy also shared several updates focused on maximizing existing campus spaces:

• Solar panels will be installed this summer to help offset energy costs鈥攁n initiative inspired by a Grade 5 Impact Summit project.
• Lighting for Ron Hill Field remains a priority to increase practice space and flexibility, while also addressing safety and security.
• AV and production upgrades have been added to enhance student performances and experiences.

The Future of Athletics and Community Events

The most visible transformation currently underway is the construction behind the MAC on the Upper Campus. Preparatory work is complete, positioning the school for the installation of a regulation turf field, six-lane track, expanded cross-country trails, and new amenities buildings as funding and approvals allow.

These additions will expand programming opportunities鈥攊ncluding the potential launch of a girls鈥� lacrosse program鈥攁nd allow 糖心原创 to host events such as meets, games, and a future 5K. Questions about seating, shade, and spectator experience are part of ongoing planning conversations as designs continue to evolve.

Finishing Strong: The Capital Campaign

A second video shared a progress update on the 鈥攈ow far the community has come and what still remains. With a clear and powerful call to action, the video reminded us that our students鈥� future can鈥檛 wait. With just $1.1 million remaining, the message was both urgent and hopeful: together, we are close to finishing strong.

While significant progress has been made鈥攚ith more than $7.1 million raised and over $1 million in gifts-in-kind and reduced fees鈥攁pproximately remains to fully fund the field and auxiliary buildings and complete the campaign.

The Our Future: Campus Plan Update reaffirmed what makes 糖心原创 distinct: a community that plans boldly, listens deeply, and centers every decision on students. As momentum continues to build, we are grateful for the partnership, questions, and engagement of our families.

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“For us, play is learning,” says Kate Canady, Director of Preschool. “The Frontier is a living expression of developmentally appropriate practice and 糖心原创鈥檚 belief in growing the whole child. This natural playground is where research-backed learning comes to life. Where children move their bodies, take meaningful risks, solve real problems, and develop socially and emotionally. Everything about The Frontier is designed with intention: how children explore, how they collaborate, and how they begin to see themselves as capable, confident leaders of their own learning.”

Unlike traditional playgrounds, The Frontier embraces uneven terrain, natural textures, loose parts, and open-ended structures. These elements encourage what educators call 鈥渃alculated risk-taking鈥�, or opportunities for children to test limits, build resilience, and problem-solve independently. “When children climb, balance, dig, or build without step-by-step directions, they develop body awareness, confidence, and self-trust,” Canady explains. “Those same skills translate directly to the classroom.”

The design of The Frontier has always centered around student voice. A few years ago, PK5 students, now in Grade 3, helped reimagine parts of the space and presented their ideas to school leadership. 鈥淲e wanted more places to build and pretend,鈥� George H. recalls.

More recently, Grade 10 Innovation Diploma (iD) students have spent the past two years observing preschoolers at play, interviewing teachers and students, consulting experts in playground design and child development, researching the philosophy of natural playgrounds, and prototyping new concepts. Their work has directly influenced the New Frontier鈥檚 design. “Knowing that our design decisions would directly shape how younger students play, learn, and move made the work feel real in a new way,” shares iD student Sophia Molinari. “Seeing the impact we could have pushed us to work harder, think more carefully, and stretch ourselves as designers.”

After years of temporary constraints, the New Frontier represents not just a return, but a significant expansion of possibilities. At 26,236 square feet, nearly 0.6 acres, the new space will be the largest Frontier 糖心原创 has ever offered. For perspective, the original Frontier measured 21,425 square feet, and during road construction, that footprint was reduced to just 11,248 square feet. The fall 2026 expansion more than doubles the space children have had in recent years and exceeds the original design by nearly 5,000 square feet. Molly Hudson, Head of the Lower School, shared, “I am especially excited for our opportunities for our older students to have opportunities to increase our play options beyond the field, courtyard, and pocket of play.” Final design plans and installation will be led by David Barclift and Barclift Associates, bringing both design expertise and deep institutional knowledge to the project. A former Chairman of the 糖心原创 Board of Trustees, David is joined by his son Robert, an MV alumnus (Class of 2012), further grounding the New Frontier in the school鈥檚 past, present, and future.

The expanded Frontier will not only be larger than ever before, but also accessible to more children, expanding the range of learners from 18 months through Grade 5, with play experiences that grow progressively more challenging. The new Frontier has something intentionally designed for every Lower Campus student. Planned features include willow huts for imaginative play, a bamboo forest for building and exploration, water and mud kitchens, climbing and hanging structures, spinning and bouncing elements, a performance stage and reading nook, and natural materials reclaimed from the original site.

“What excites me most is how intentionally The Frontier is designed to build collaboration and communication,” says Canady. “Rather than competition, this space invites children to work together, problem-solve collectively, and develop confidence through shared experiences.”

As 糖心原创 looks ahead to Fall 2026, the New Frontier represents more than an expansion; it鈥檚 a living example of the school鈥檚 belief that joyful, purposeful learning begins with curiosity, movement, and trust in children鈥檚 capabilities. It also reinforces 糖心原创鈥檚 deep commitment to early childhood excellence, aligning with the highest standards and setting a foundation for learning that continues through Grade 12.

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糖心原创 is more than a school. We are a learning organization that thrives on curiosity, research, and bold problem-solving. Nowhere is that more alive than in our Research, Design, and Iteration program. Through RDI, teachers don鈥檛 just deliver curriculum鈥攖hey create it, refine it, and imagine what comes next.

Late Start Days give faculty dedicated time to experiment, prototype, and innovate. These blocks of time, combined with faculty meetings and professional learning days, allow teachers to design dynamic, student-centered learning experiences that connect directly to the Impact Ready Project. Innovation at 糖心原创 is not a one-off initiative. It is woven into the DNA of the School.

This year, 223 糖心原创 employees are participating in 18 RDI groups, each advancing learning, strategy, and experience across the School. Examples of the groups include: AI Catalyst, Futures Thinking, IDEA Curriculum Review, Impact Summit Development, Behavioral Health and Wellness, Global and Cultural Competencies, and Humanities, Neuroscience, and Differentiation.

Lower Campus Maker Teacher Constanza Pizano shared how her experience in RDI has shaped her practice: 鈥淚 started my career in research so RDI has always felt relevant. I spent two years as a part of the AI group where we grappled with questions of ethics, student experience, and engaged in futures thinking. I feel like those two years gave me a foundation to build on. I could then bring this knowledge back to my team or answer parent questions. The work we engaged in not only established the school鈥檚 position on the technology but also helped stretch me as a practitioner.鈥�

Spotlight: AI Catalyst

This year, the AI Catalyst group is divided into three teams, each advancing a critical dimension of AI in education.

The AI Fluency and Curriculum and Design team, led by Mary Ann Stillerman, is building a K鈥�12 curriculum framework to develop student AI literacy and define faculty and staff competencies.

The AI Tools and Use Cases team, led by Tyler Dale, is prototyping AI tools for classrooms and school operations and producing a comprehensive handbook to guide their use.

The AI Ethics and Position team is developing a responsible use framework and an ethical position statement for 糖心原创, aligned with and standards and grounded in our values.

Leah Hannon, Head of Middle School and lead for the AI Catalyst group, says, 鈥淲e want AI practices to be part of every teacher鈥檚 toolbox. This work helps us think about where AI literacy fits in the classroom, how to integrate AI vocabulary into our 糖心原创 language, and how to ensure we use AI responsibly as a school. It鈥檚 an exciting step forward for our students and staff alike.鈥�

These teams are asking bold questions. Which AI tools are best for students versus teachers? How can AI literacy be integrated across all grade levels? How can we ensure that AI practices are ethically sustainable? They are building frameworks that will equip both students and educators to navigate the future with confidence and purpose.

Spotlight: IDEA Curriculum Review

The IDEA Curriculum Review RDI group, led by Dr. Chaundra Suddith, serves as a design team committed to advancing culturally and historically responsive teaching across 糖心原创 by reviewing academic disciplines and content areas K鈥�12 through the IDEA lens in support of Target 4 of the MV Impact Ready Project. Dr. Suddith draws inspiration from Gholdy Muhammad (2023): 鈥淥ur students are a Song of Color and beauty. They are 鈥楤looming,鈥� but only for those of 鈥榙eserving eyes鈥欌�攖hose who deserve to be in the presence of their greatness.鈥� The group is conducting course audits, gathering student feedback, studying key texts, analyzing performance trends, and revisiting course design frameworks to strengthen accessibility and belonging. Centered on the driving question, How might we assess current curriculum and design future curriculum that cultivates an environment where all learners are seen, valued, and heard while developing cultural proficiency across all learning experiences at 糖心原创?, the team will provide feedback on language, alignment, and instructional best practices to share with division leaders, learning architects, and the Teaching & Learning team. Although Unearthing Joy is the primary book study, supplemental resources further guide the team鈥檚 work as they curate curriculum insight that recognizes, supports, and celebrates every learner鈥檚 potential.

Every RDI project is led by educators who know our learners best. Faculty and staff collaborate across teams, divisions, and roles to design experiences that put students鈥� curiosity, growth, and joy at the center. Many projects span multiple years, modeling a growth mindset that we hope every Mustang will carry into their own learning journey. This is innovation that matters, innovation that lasts, and innovation that transforms the student experience.

Our Next Late Start Day is December 10.

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That mindset is alive this MOD as Upper School students step into internships and jobs across campus. These aren鈥檛 just r茅sum茅-builders. They are opportunities to improve the experiences of 糖心原创 students and families鈥攔ight here, right now鈥攚hile giving our Upper Schoolers authentic responsibility and leadership.

Learning by Doing, Leading by Serving

For Payton Melan, the Made in MV Store is more than a retail space. It鈥檚 a living laboratory where Payton is rethinking how a store can best serve its users鈥攚hether that鈥檚 a parent popping in for spirit wear or a student grabbing a water bottle.

鈥淚鈥檝e gotten to see how important inventory really is鈥攖racking what鈥檚 in stock, what sells, and what people are asking for. I鈥檝e also learned how new products are tested and added, which makes me think differently about how a store grows and improves.鈥� 鈥� Payton

Meanwhile, Michael Fennelly is harnessing creativity in the Lower School Maker Space. Designing for younger learners requires empathy and flexibility 鈥� Michael is learning how to adapt projects so children can experiment, take risks, and celebrate discovery.

鈥淚 used to think teaching was just explaining. Now I realize it鈥檚 about helping kids explore and letting them figure things out their way.鈥� 鈥� Michael

And for Kirsten Abbott, the world of construction and design is coming alive through a unique partnership with Integra Construction and the initiative. Here, designing for the user means translating bold ideas into spaces that are functional, inspiring, and truly serve the people who will learn and work within them.

From Sports Management to Strength Training

Athletics internships also show the power of designing for the user. Brooke Nazarian is exploring the business side of sports management with Jenn Brown, where success hinges on understanding what athletes, coaches, and fans need for a thriving program and thinking forward about new ideas to elevate experiences.

Retta Duckett is blending entrepreneurship and community engagement in partnership with , shaping the 2026 race experience (mark your calendar, it will be February 14, 2026, right here at 糖心原创) that bring people together around shared passions.

In athletics administration, Rayne Randle and Hammie Shiver are working directly with Lamar Howard to design behind-the-scenes systems that keep teams running smoothly鈥攁lways with student-athletes in mind. Patrick Still is helping with game-day operations, field and venue set up, as well as diving deep into strength training with Coach Kevin Thomas, discovering how to tailor programs that meet athletes where they are and help them grow stronger, safer, and smarter.

鈥淐oach Thomas is showing me how strength training isn鈥檛 one-size-fits-all. You have to think about each athlete and what works best for them.鈥� 鈥� Patrick

Leadership on the Lower Campus

Some of the most visible impact is happening through the Extended Play 鈥渞unners鈥� program on the Lower Campus. At first glance, it might seem simple: picking up children, delivering snacks, or helping with transitions. But look closer, and you鈥檒l see design thinking in action.

Nuna Adovor, Aubree Brown, Carlee Casey, Collins Haber, Anna Hollis, Ryanne Kelly, Jewel Mayfield, Lily Moriarty, McKinley Tann, Holt Dimmock, and Benjamin Borgstede are designing experiences for younger students every time they step outside. Whether it鈥檚 joining a game of four square or walking a child to class, they鈥檙e asking: What do these younger learners need to feel safe, connected, and joyful?

鈥淭he kids light up when we play with them. It reminds me how important it is to just make people feel seen.鈥� 鈥� Jewel

Impact Here and Now

What ties all of these experiences together is immediacy and empathy. Our Upper School students aren鈥檛 just filling roles鈥攖hey鈥檙e shaping them with the user at the center. Each internship is a real-world application of 糖心原创鈥檚 design thinking ethos: start with questions, listen deeply, and create solutions that matter.

Every job, every project, every moment of connection is a building block in a student鈥檚 Journey of Purpose. It鈥檚 proof that when students are trusted with real responsibility, they rise鈥攏ot only preparing for what comes next, but shaping what is possible today.

At 糖心原创, the future isn鈥檛 a distant goal. It鈥檚 unfolding right in front of us. And it鈥檚 being built by the hands, hearts, and minds of our students.

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Last week, 糖心原创 welcomed families into the heart of our Lower Campus classrooms for Curriculum Mornings, an opportunity to experience what makes learning here so innovative, engaging, and deeply personal.

Each session was thoughtfully led by Shelley Searcy, Head of Lower Campus; Kate Canady, Director of Preschool; Molly Hudson, Head of Lower School; and Elisse Hayes, Lower School Dean of Students. Together, they invited families into the journey of learning at 糖心原创, setting the tone by opening every gathering with a prayer of safety, security, and hope, a reminder that care is at the center of everything we do.

From Preschool through Grade 5, parents experienced firsthand how 糖心原创鈥檚 intentional approach to content, context, and care creates a learning environment where curiosity is nurtured, relationships are prioritized, and students grow into confident, capable learners.

Why We Do This

At 糖心原创, we believe that learning is defined by what students can do with what they know. Through Competency-Based Education (CBE), students aren鈥檛 measured by test scores alone. Instead, they progress by demonstrating mastery of essential skills, allowing us to meet each learner where they are, challenge them appropriately, and celebrate their growth every step of the way.

鈥淐urriculum Mornings offer families an opportunity to see, hear, and even experience how learning and play come to life on Lower Campus. The most important part, of course, is connecting with your child鈥檚 teachers and fellow parents in your class. to see, hear, and even experience how learning and play come to life each day.鈥� – Shelley Searcy, Head of Lower Campus

These mornings are a window into how content is taught, how context brings relevance, and how care creates belonging.

What Makes Our Approach Different

糖心原创 teachers are designers of learning experiences, creating opportunities for students to:

• Tackle complex challenges using design thinking
• Make meaningful connections across subjects and grade levels
• Take ownership of their learning journey

Whether students are exploring big questions, collaborating across grade levels, or preparing for the Grade 5 Impact Summit, they gain the confidence to think critically, make connections, and approach challenges with curiosity and creativity.

鈥淭hrough Competency-Based Education (CBE), students progress by demonstrating mastery, allowing us to meet each learner where they are, challenge them appropriately, and celebrate their growth every step of the way. Layered into this is our Design Thinking approach鈥攁 mindset that encourages curiosity, empathy, creativity, and problem-solving. Our students don鈥檛 just learn content; they learn how to ask questions, explore possibilities, and design solutions that make a difference.鈥� – Molly Hudson, Head of Lower School

Content 鈥� Context 鈥� Care

糖心原创鈥檚 Lower Campus Curriculum Mornings embody the three pillars that define our approach to education:

• Content 鈫� Deep, transferable knowledge and skills grounded in CBE
• Context 鈫� Real-world relevance through projects, problem-solving, and design thinking
• Care 鈫� Nurturing relationships between students, teachers, and families

This intentional balance ensures that every child feels seen, supported, and challenged 鈥� becoming confident, curious, and capable learners.

Who Makes It Possible

These mornings were a celebration of the entire Lower Campus team 鈥� from our Preschool teachers to Grade 5. Together, we create an environment where joyful learning thrives and students are encouraged to ask big questions, test bold ideas, and grow with purpose.

鈥淚n Preschool, we nurture curiosity and wonder while laying the foundation for competency-based learning. Children grow by mastering skills step by step, at their own pace, with the support they need to succeed. Through exploration, repetition, and reflection, they build confidence, resilience, and, most importantly, a lifelong love of learning that extends far beyond preschool.鈥� – Kate Canady, Director of Preschool

Parents also play an essential role. By opening our classrooms, we invite families to experience firsthand how 糖心原创 empowers their children to design their future.

In Their Words

Parent feedback captured the energy and impact of the mornings:

• One preschool parent walking into the PK4 and PK5 Curriculum morning, saw the provocations on the table and said, 鈥淭his looks fun!鈥�
• 鈥淢y kid will be loved here. Everything has a plan at MV. I am so grateful.鈥� – Kindergarten Parent
• 鈥淲here was 糖心原创 when I was little? I am so happy we came here.鈥� G3 Parent
• 鈥淓xecutive functioning is a real thing in Grade 5. I鈥檓 so thankful for the support for him鈥� and me.鈥� G5 Parent

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When Russ Malsnee joined 糖心原创 as Director of Safety and Security in November 2020, he saw an opportunity to reimagine the School鈥檚 entire approach to safety. 鈥淚 knew I needed to build genuine relationships with the officers in our community, because they鈥檙e the ones who will respond when we need support,鈥� he explains. What began with casual conversations quickly evolved into intentional collaboration, as Russ forged lasting partnerships with local law enforcement that would become the backbone of 糖心原创鈥檚 security infrastructure.

Those relationships came full circle when Ronald Johnson, formerly a Lieutenant with the Sandy Springs Police Department and now serving as a Reserve Lieutenant, officially joined 糖心原创鈥檚 campus security team full-time, further strengthening the trusted network that protects and supports the School community each day.

Meet Ronald Johnson: 糖心原创 Safety Officer & Reserve Sandy Springs PD

鈥淢y number one job is to protect the people on this campus, and that each day, everybody goes home safely. That is the overall goal,鈥� Ronald explains. With decades of law enforcement experience, a police radio, and direct access to department resources, he ensures that emergencies, from medical incidents to security threats, are addressed instantly.

The relationship-driven model allows for unprecedented rapid response. Russ emphasizes,

鈥淗aving a full-time police presence on campus increases our response rate. Anything we need to make happen, Ronald can do immediately.鈥�

Beyond immediate response, Ronald and other officers have undergone extensive, scenario-based training directly on 糖心原创鈥檚 campus as part of the School鈥檚 partnership with the Sandy Springs Police Department. Every drill offers an opportunity for officers to become deeply familiar with the unique layout of our school. They have knowledge of every building, hallway, entrance, and exit, considering every possible angle and vantage point. This level of preparation ensures that, should police ever need to enter our campus to address a concern, they can navigate with precision and confidence, minimizing response time and maximizing safety for our entire community.

Russ points out that the human connections behind the strategy are what set 糖心原创 apart. The trust between 糖心原创鈥檚 security team and the Sandy Springs Police Department turns potential challenges into coordinated action, making the campus safer every single day.

At 糖心原创, safety isn鈥檛 just about policies or technology鈥攊t鈥檚 about people, partnerships, and foresight. By building strong relationships with law enforcement, the school ensures that its students, faculty, and families can focus on learning and growing, confident in the knowledge that their safety is in expert hands.

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The journey began with two simple yet profound questions: What is a song? Can I create one? These guiding questions launched the children into an exploration of the performing arts, where they encountered a variety of music styles and sounds. To ignite their creativity, they engaged in hands-on activities like coloring while listening to pieces such as “Flight of the Bumblebee” and “Canon in D“. Through these exercises, the children interpreted the tempo and tone of different compositions, experiencing firsthand how music influences emotions.

Building on this, they explored how lyrics and melodies evoke feelings, reflecting on their own emotions and what 糖心原创 means to them. Their thoughts and experiences were translated into drawings and shared as “lyrics” in the music room. However, the most exciting part came next鈥攊ntegrating technology to amplify their voices.

Using artificial intelligence, the students’ words were transformed into a cohesive song about life at 糖心原创. An AI platform arranged their lyrics into verses and a chorus, while another tool composed the music to accompany their heartfelt words. The result was “Welcome to Our School,” a song that captures the essence of love, peace, and community that the preschoolers experience daily.

The chapel debut was nothing short of magical. As the children heard their words come to life in song, their excitement filled the room鈥攅specially when the phrase “shooting stars” echoed through the space. Joyfully swaying to the melody, they embodied the spirit of collaboration and creativity that had shaped the project. Ericka Shannon, who led the initiative, reflected on the experience: “Seeing our youngest students use AI to express themselves and share their voices was remarkable. It鈥檚 a powerful reminder that creativity and technology can work hand-in-hand, even for preschoolers.”

Beyond the applause, this project sparked meaningful discussions about the role of AI in education. It highlighted the potential for using technology to help even the youngest learners express themselves in innovative and authentic ways. By giving voice to their ideas, the project showcased how AI can be a powerful tool for creativity in the classroom.

Looking ahead, Ericka and the team plan to carry this theme forward throughout the school year, with a music video in the works to help the entire 糖心原创 community learn and sing along. The goal is clear: at 糖心原创, everyone is an artist, and creativity knows no age limit.

Recording: Listen to “” and sing along with our preschoolers. Join us in celebrating the joy, love, and shining stars of 糖心原创!

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