Articles
Kindness 11th and 12th grade students who are “bigs” lead personalized tours to their “little” throughout the school, and genuinely build positive relationships with them. I saw one new 7th grade girl sitting with her big today at the lunch table, and it almost brought a tear to my eye. Initiative A 10th grade student…
How can we keep from singing? With 41 graduates on Saturday, June 1, Eastern Mennonite School held its 106th commencement ceremony. This day marks a significant achievement in the lives of our students. The weeks leading up to graduation are filled with milestones. Senior presentations are a vital component of a capstone course called Kingdom…
The EMS athletic program had another successful year! Each season provided life-long memories and learning opportunities for our student athletes. Sarah Drooger and Ryan Slonaker (above, right) signed letters of intent to Division 1 colleges. Sarah will continue her soccer career at Virginia Commonwealth University and Ryan will be playing golf at Virginia Tech. Just…
With 17 trips, 37 dedicated faculty and staff, and numerous chaperones, over 270 students embarked on unforgettable journeys filled with enriching experiences. Groups went hiking, biking, and learned about the environment, theater, and self-care. Each had a service day, collaborating with non-profits to reinforce compassion and community service. Whether local or out-of-state, students gained new…
EMS creates ways to build relationships with cross-grade interactions. Programs pair MS & HS students (bigs/littles) and EMES lunch seat buddies. RJ begins before the conflict. Reflect on your own biases, assumptions, and actions. Consider how you can improve your own behavior and interactions with others. RJ begins with relationships. Relationships are seen as central…
This May as I watched each elementary student and teacher walk into the upper school dining hall for our final Gathering of the school year, I was once again moved by the way in which they entered our space…with respect and reverence. Why? Because these are sacred moments each week, a time that we value…
The advancement team focuses on fundraising, donor relations, alumni engagement, marketing, and overall institutional growth…we “advance” the mission of the school! Advancement enthusiastically welcomed Abigail Cook to our team as admissions counselor. Ms. Cook is ordained through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and has completed leadership training with the Kansas Leadership Center. Her dream for EMS…
Four strategic pathways guide us closer to the vision of EMS. CULTURE: Who we are together, and how we care for each other. EMS seeks to foster a learning community where every student feels a sense of belonging through internal efforts to create a welcoming and safe environment. Strengths include personalized relationships, dedicated time for…
Teachers Maria Lorcas, Nick Gardner, and Jared Stutzman have built on the program crafted by previous music directors. The school’s leadership strategically prioritized these programs, ensuring that every middle school student has daily, year-round engagement with music. Many students take string classes at EMS in grades 6-12, and some also participate in string ensembles and…
Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) honored Maria Archer, k-5 principal, and Jesse Blosser, head of the math department, with the 2023 Innovation in Education award. We want to thank them for their remarkable contributions to education. As the founding principal at EMES, Maria Archer’s innovative leadership has transformed the early childhood division, emphasizing experiential…