We spotlight each of our Eighth graders and ask them to reflect on their Middle School experiences and share some of the highlights and what they are most proud of.
Meet Benjamin Wang
What is one of your favorite highlights from the middle school program?
My name is Benjamin Wang, and I’m an 8th-grade student. Even though I only joined PMonts this year, I already have so many great memories to look back on. One of the biggest highlights was definitely the ski trip. All the middle schoolers went to Camelback Ski Resort for an overnight adventure. On the first day, we visited the water park, and my friends and I had an amazing time. Whether it was racing each other down the lazy river, riding the giant six-person raft on the Venus Flytrap slide, or just laughing together, it was a blast. After the water park, we headed to our rooms, showered, played some card games, watched TV, and eventually went to sleep. The next day was even better, we went skiing! It was so much fun to be out on the slopes with my friends. This trip is one of those experiences that’s permanently etched into my memory, and I’m sure I’ll never forget it.
What skill(s) did you develop thanks to your Montessori/IB education that are you most proud of?
During my time at PMonts, I feel that I significantly improved my personal management skills. One of the unique aspects of Montessori education is the level of freedom it gives students, along with the responsibility that comes with it. For example, all middle schoolers have their own locker, which they are allowed to organize however they like. But if your locker becomes too messy, it quickly becomes unusable, teaching you the value of staying organized. Another example is how summative projects are structured. In our design class, we’re currently working on all four criteria. Instead of receiving deadlines for every step, we’re only given due dates for each overall criterion. This gives us the freedom to manage our time and pace ourselves, but also means that if we procrastinate, we risk having a lot to do at the last minute. Even though my time at Princeton Montessori was relatively short, I’ve seen significant growth in these skills and hope to continue building on them in high school and beyond.
What will you miss the most after you graduate from PMonts?
Finally, when the time comes for me to leave Princeton Montessori, what I will miss most is the community. I know you’ve probably heard that a million times, but I genuinely mean it. When I first arrived, I was nervous about transitioning from a class of just two students to one with 22. Despite my worries, the warm and welcoming community at PMonts made the transition feel seamless. Within a week, I truly felt like I belonged.
Even now, I still feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such kind and supportive people. I’ve rarely seen anyone hold a grudge or lose their temper, and that kindness isn’t limited to just the students. The middle school teachers are amazing; not only do they make learning meaningful and engaging, but they also care deeply about each student. Their ability to build real connections makes them feel more like mentors or friends than just teachers. Wherever I go in the future, I hope I can find a community as supportive, kind, and inspiring as the one I’ve experienced here.
