We often celebrate the milestones in life, the first day of kindergarten, the start of high school, graduation, and all the big moments that clearly mark a beginning or an end. But we do not always pause long enough to appreciate the importance of the middle.

Middle school is exactly that… the middle. It is the space between childhood and young adulthood. It is the bridge between dependence and independence. It is the season where students are no longer little, yet not fully grown. And while it may not always come with the same excitement as the milestones on either side, I believe these years are among the most formative in a child’s life, and I am so blessed to be part of them.

The middle is where students begin to engage their learning with greater purpose and ownership. They move from simply finding answers to defending their thinking. They are asked to manage multiple classes, longer-term assignments, and increasing responsibility for their own learning. They experience the natural tension of higher expectations, and in that tension, they grow. They learn how to study with purpose, how to respond to feedback, how to recover from disappointment, and how to advocate for themselves respectfully. These skills will serve them long after a specific test or project is forgotten.

But middle school is about far more than academics. It is also a season of identity. Students begin asking deeper questions about who they are, what they believe, and where they belong. You may notice moments of strong independence followed by moments of vulnerability. You may see confidence one day and uncertainty the next. This back-and-forth can be tiring; however, it is not a sign that something is wrong or a problem to fix; it is a sign that growth is happening.

In many ways, I think of middle school as a dress rehearsal for life. It is not opening night, but it is serious preparation. Students are practicing how to manage their time, how to navigate friendships, how to respond when they fall short, and how to understand their ever changing body. They are also learning that growth requires courage. The willingness to attempt hard things, to step outside of their comfort zone, and to take reasonable risks in a space that supports them. There will be missed cues and moments that require adjustment; that is part of rehearsal. The beauty of this season is that they are learning in a space that is structured, supportive, and guided by adults who care deeply about who they are becoming.

The middle is also a safe place for mistakes. Forgotten homework, social missteps, or choices they wish they could redo are not final chapters in their story. They are opportunities to reflect, reset, and grow. We are not aiming for perfection in these years, even though it sometimes feels like it. That too is just part of the process. We are cultivating resilience. We are helping students understand that growth often comes through struggle and that character is built in everyday decisions.

Perhaps most importantly, middle school is where responsibility begins to shift. Students start to own their gradebook. They learn to communicate directly with teachers. They balance academics, activities, friendships, and family life. They practice managing their time and their emotions. They are learning, step by step, what it means to carry responsibility with maturity.

And through all of this, your role as a parent remains essential. Even as your child grows in independence, your modeling, your expectations, and your steady presence matter deeply. When school and home work together with consistent support and accountability, students feel both safe and challenged,  and that combination allows them to thrive.

The middle is not a waiting room for what comes next. It is not simply preparation for upper school. It is a meaningful, powerful season in its own right. It is where foundations are strengthened, identity is explored, and character is shaped in quiet but lasting ways.

Thank you for trusting us with your children during these transformative years. It is truly a privilege to walk alongside them, and alongside you, in the middle.

With gratitude,

Chrystal Myers

*This piece was written from my personal thoughts and refined with the help of ChatGPT.