Graduates from Mountain Sun Middle School Speak Out
Often parents ask, “What happens to Mountain Sun Community School students after Mountain Sun?” Many parents of our students grew up in traditional school systems and are concerned about outcomes for our graduates and how well the Mountain Sun middle school prepares students for high school and beyond. “The proof is in the pudding,” said Becky Langerman, Director of Learning. “I’ll let them speak for themselves.” MSCS graduates and parents of graduates came together to speak about their experiences with middle school at Mountain Sun and the transition to life afterward. Graduates in attendance were Brady Odell (12th grade, BHS), Gabe Rood (12th grade, BHS), Huck Pearl (electrician’s apprentice), Lillian Skeen (11th grade, BHS), Mary Ella Hastings (12th grade, BHS), Violet Nicoletti (9th grade, BHS), and Leah Austin (10th grade, BHS).
Mountain Sun Community School (MSCS) serves students from pre-K through middle school. Most students graduate after 8th grade, though a few have stayed on for their 9th grade year. The curriculum is highly experiential and hands-on. The classrooms all open into the outdoors, and students have the opportunity to spend both work time and free time outside every day. There is an emphasis on self-expression, collaboration, and conflict-resolution skills. Older students participate in many off-campus excursions, including overnight backpacking trips, canoe-camping trips, day trips to engage with the community around us, and a week-long urban experience for the middle schoolers.
Middle school at Mountain Sun (MSCS) is based on the Montessori model. Students have more independence and choice than in a traditional school. “This program is about the kids,” said Daniel Sprinkle, Middle School Lead Teacher. “The teacher is the guide. We teach Shakespeare today because we had some students who wanted to learn it. While there is a structured curriculum, the students lead the process.” The class is multiage and is much smaller than a traditional school. Because of this, there is a balance of personalities, needs, and skill levels. “The quieter kids are drawn out and the louder kids can learn to rein it in a bit,” said Daniel, pointing to some grads who fit those descriptions, leading to laughs all around.
Students in the MSCS middle school (aka the “Coyote Class”) are responsible for their own work, managing schedules, and holding themselves accountable, but they do not receive traditional “grades”. This system is designed to create an intrinsic motivation to learn, rather than a focus on the external validation of grades. One alumnus talked about how he continues to “have a curiosity to learn, and academically, I was more than prepared.” Another said, “I was nervous about getting grades in high school, but I realized as long as I put in the work, it was fine. I learned that from being in charge of my own work in the Coyote Class.” A different graduate said, “Starting in the youngest grades at Mountain Sun, quality of work is encouraged. That made adjusting to grades easy for me.”
The alumni also spoke about the social skills they developed at MSCS and how that helped them navigate the tricky high school environment. “There’s always going to be drama in high school,” said a student, “but what I learned from Mountain Sun helped me avoid a lot of it.” Another added, “Mountain Sun kids have a respect for those around them, kindness, and conflict resolution skills.” Several students also spoke about how MSCS taught them to self- advocate and communicate with teachers to ask for help.
Some parents of grads spoke about their decision to keep their students at Mountain Sun for middle school. “I decided to keep my kids here when I saw the students give their speeches at graduation,” said a parent of two Mountain Sun students. “They know who they are and have confidence in being themselves.” Another parent of two graduates spoke about how Mountain Sun influenced her family. “Parents learn to hear their kids and respect and support them the way the teachers do.”
The Coyote Class embodies the spirit of Mountain Sun. These kids rise to the challenge of being responsible for themselves and setting the example for the rest of the school. They bring their creativity, curiosity, and enthusiasm to the lessons. They display a maturity and also a playfulness, resulting in a ballet based on photosynthesis or holding their own Coyote Constitutional Convention complete with costumes. They develop resilience as they face backpacking in the rain, and then spend an evening joking and laughing around the campfire. They find themselves responsible for planning an urban adventure to New York City or Washington, DC, and learn the skills needed to execute it. “Adolescence is sometimes seen as a speedbump to get over,” said Daniel Sprinkle, “but we can see this time of change as an opportunity.”
Towards the end of the evening, the question was asked, “Where are our grads now?” One alumnus spoke about his awards for set design in theater and his hopes to pursue further studies in that field. Another graduate is an electrician's apprentice and working toward a licensure and his own business one day. Other students spoke about college. Some parents gave updates on their children who are in college or pursuing careers. Some of the alumni have come back to MSCS as adults to volunteer their time. Mountain Sun graduates take with them kindness, respect for others, organizational skills, critical thinking, and conflict resolution skills that help them navigate the world and pursue their dreams. The proof is in the pudding.
