Students share their stories

Nick, Senior
Entered MCDS at 2nd Grade

"There is a misperception that high school at MCDS doesn’t prepare you for the real world. This is the real world! If you go to a school of 500 you can’t care deeply about every student. If you go to MCDS for high school you can have 20 friends who are actually friends—not duplicates of you. You grow individually, have conflicts, and work them out with your peers. MCDS offers stellar academics where lectures are turned into discussions and students teach each other. If you judge a high school based on sports you can still choose MCDS and participate in competitive club sports in the area. At MCDS you can be exactly what you want—leader, musician, and athlete. It comes from the care and intimacy of the community and teachers who are focused on you as an individual.”

R.J., Grade 8
Entered MCDS at 7th Grade

“School is supposed to provide you with the foundation to succeed in college and in life. At my old school you were either “cool,” “smart,” or an “other.” If you weren’t good at sports you were shunned.  At MCDS I have a much bigger group of friends across grades. High school students here are not menacing and I can talk with them. Staying at MCDS is one of the best things you can do for your future.  Academically, the teachers here make learning fun and the multi-cultural exposure and the IB program make students more accepting and open. Socially we are one cohesive group that supports one another.”

Courtney, Sophomore
Entered MCDS at 10th Grade

“My old school didn’t prepare me for college. There were 300 students in my grade—lots of cliques, gossipy, lots of drama, and easy classes. At MCDS I can’t “float by” in classes; I am challenged. Stay at MCDS for high school and get a great education that will allow you to stay in college and not drop out. Don’t be one of those kids who breezes by in high school but can’t cut it in college.”

Joel, Grade 6
Entered MCDS at 5th Grade

“When I came to MCDS I thought it was a neat community. It’s cool that we don’t have locks on our lockers and I can be friends with kids in other grades. At my old school I didn’t know anyone outside my grade.  Stay at MCDS. It’s not about getting A’s—it’s about knowing and understanding the material.”

Maya, Grade 8
Entered MCDS at 5th Grade

“Teachers can get one-on-one time with you and know how each student is doing.  They know when you are having trouble and work with you in new ways to help you learn. I recently realized that MCDS makes you think instead of just being told something. Teachers ask your opinion so you go deeper and use the power of your mind. It’s not only helpful—it’s amazing! The IB program in 11th and 12th grade will be a very big accomplishment that you can carry with you for the rest of your life.”

Emma, Senior
Entered MCDS at 9th Grade

"At my former high school, people treated me like I wasn’t smart. I didn’t care about school. It was surface learning – not digging deep down. At MCDS, I am allowed to be the person I am. My relationships with teachers are exceptional – there’s a deep level of trust. They push you to do your best. In the high school, you will see yourself developing into the person you want to be."

Kevin, Grade 8
Entered MCDS at 6th Grade

"MCDS Middle School lets you explore and ask questions, which is different from public school. Teachers go the extra mile to ensure you are learning and keeping up, which makes the school unique. You get a better learning experience at MCDS because it packs more into those learning years."

DaBeen, Senior
Entered MCDS at 9th Grade

"The MCDS High School learning environment makes you think instead of just learning from textbooks. It was my and my parents’ desire for me to study in the U.S. where I could see the world, become fluent in English, and experience a better education. Anyone can come to MCDS and feel welcome and will be motivated to do their best."

William, Junior
Entered MCDS at 3rd Grade

"Coming to MCDS not knowing I had dyslexia, the teachers worked with me from day 1 to become a confident learner. Unlike my previous school, the teachers here tried different methods to assess my true potential. At MCDS, there’s no bullying, no peer pressure. Everyone is accepted for who they truly are."

Hans Eric, Senior
Entered MCDS at 8th Grade

"Unlike public school, at MCDS we explore, we discern, we don’t get pontificated to. My and my classmates’ ideas are built upon as we explore diverse fields of knowledge. The depth of college advising is really impressive and is not available anywhere else. Mrs. Schweber allows us to find our passion and discern our vocation. Stay at MCDS and it will give you an academic and social experience unlike any other."