Weekly feature spotlighting each of our Eighth graders which asks them to reflect on their Middle School experiences and share some of the highlights and what they are most proud of.
Meet Kaiden Ramessur
What is one of your favorite highlights from the middle school program?
Spain is the biggest highlight of the Middle School program by far. The raw experience of flying internationally for more than a week without your parents, simply fun and learning, was unbeatable for me. The independence we learned, the history we experienced, and the way we put our skills to the test (Spanish, history, etc.) are lessons we can never forget. Even if we aren’t allowed to bring phones, we are in the moment and ready. The host families give insight into daily life in a place so different from our own, and the plants and animals (mainly the birds) were awe-inspiring to watch (I like the birds). The amount of independence given to us (making sure we get to places on time, letting us loose in a village on our own for 30 mins, etc.) all help build crucial skills that help us for the rest of our lives. The learning aspect of Spain came in 2 forms, the history of the towns, and the constant practice of speaking Spanish. I learned more Spanish in Spain than in all my other classes combined, practicing your skills in the real world made them twice as strong. Spain was fun, taught me more than any class, and helped me make deeper connections with all my peers.
What skill(s) did you develop thanks to your Montessori/IB education that are you most proud of?
There are many skills that the unique IB and Montessori program gives me, ones that I couldn’t get anywhere else! The interconnectedness of the community, the global view it gives of the world, and the preparation it gives for High School. The interconnectedness of the community gives so much in terms of support and positivity, doing wonders for mental health and trust. Trusting and believing in your friends and peers makes you feel safer and happier in many ways, so learning to trust is a skill I value. With Finn, a new student, I was able to show this by trusting him and helping him accept the community. Second, I value the global view it gives of the world, and the connections made with people internationally (through the Spain trip and MMUN, both being international and with others from other cultures and religions). This prepares you for the real world and allows you to be more accepting innately in the future, as shown by the behavior of our class in Spain, calm and ready to learn despite the pressure of the situation. Finally, the most important skills are the ones that prepare us for High School, one of the biggest changes and challenges in our life (for a middle schooler). Some of these skills — ATL skills — like time management, organization, and more. These will be invaluable for High School and cannot be replaced by any other school. These skills were all developed thanks to our amazing program and the unique and special IB education.
What will you miss the most after you graduate from PMonts?
After I graduate from Pmonts, there will be many things I miss. The embracing community, helping you grow and be comfortable, the opportunities around every corner that allow me to strive and go above and beyond, and the intermixing of cultures and ideas. The community, constantly helping and comforting each other, where even the teachers make you feel at home, and the students aid each other every step of the way. The opportunities change the difficulty of school, getting what you give. Science fairs, optional formatives or summatives, and even the independent work block are all semi-optional and can help you become great if you put in the effort, perfectly showing and training for real life. Finally, the intermixing of cultures and ideas. The blend of cultures makes you see how unique the school and the world are. In tandem with the IB program giving a global view of all subjects, this opens everyone’s eyes to the world. I rely on all three of these to be as good as I can, and will miss them tremendously.
