We are spotlighting each of our Eighth graders and asking them to reflect on their Middle School experiences and share some of the highlights and what they are most proud of.
Meet Sadie Chen
What is one of your favorite highlights from your time in Middle School?
One of my favorite highlights from my time in middle school was our ski trip to Camelback. It’s an annual tradition at PMonts, but since I joined in eighth grade, it was my first time experiencing it. My classmates and I even got to go night skiing, which was especially fun. More than that, the trip helped me feel closer to my friends and more connected to the community. PMonts offers many memorable trips, and while they are some of my favorite experiences, each one also serves a meaningful purpose: strengthening our community.
What skill(s) did you develop thanks to your Montessori/IB education that you are most proud of?
One of the most important skills I developed through my Montessori/IB education is self-motivated learning, along with strong time management. Here, I’ve become much more independent. Teachers guide us, but a lot of the responsibility is on us to take ownership of our learning. For example, in math, the only other person in my group is Stella, so instead of traditional presentations, we often teach ourselves and support each other. This allows us to move at our own pace.
At the same time, the Montessori environment makes it very comfortable to ask for help. It’s a supportive community where you feel encouraged rather than judged. Overall, these experiences have prepared me well for the transition to high school.
What advice would you give to someone about to enter Middle School at PMonts?
One piece of advice I would give to someone entering middle school at PMonts is to be prepared to become more independent and to take full advantage of how easy it is to ask questions. The IB approach and learning curriculum are quite different from those in other schools. While it feels great to be independent, learning how to manage that independence can be challenging at first.
Also, because this is such a close-knit community, it’s important to be ready to address friendship issues or social challenges directly, rather than avoiding them. This is an essential skill not only for middle school, but for life.
