People often ask how our high school graduates fare after leaving MSA. It’s understandable. We’re a really small school and it’s a big world out there! Also, that big world doesn’t always follow the Montessori practices of “grace and courtesy” and “peaceful conflict resolution” that we do. So, if YOU have ever wondered, then I have an answer...

I recently had the opportunity to check in with Sakshi Joglekar, one of our Class of 2018 MSA graduates. Here’s what she shared:

Sakshi applied for this internship through the office of Chuck Grassley, senior United States senator from Iowa and Chair of the Senate Finance Committee. Typically graduate students are selected for these internships, but Sakshi’s research interests and accomplishments through her sophomore year at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), greatly impressed them.

As a freshman, she established the Out-of-State Student Association (OSSA), a program that assists out-of-state students in adjusting to life at UCLA by providing support and channels for communication and networking. The organization, which she continues to lead, now serves over 250 members.

Also, Sakshi continued to hone the photography skills that she learned in her MSA photography class and when she made the move to UCLA two years ago, she earned a little income by taking headshots as an independent photographer. This experience has led to her becoming a photographer for the Daily Bruin, UCLA’s award-winning daily student newspaper. One of Sakshi’s recent assignments was to photograph the September 3, Anderson, SC, event to honor and pay tribute to Anderson native and hometown hero, Chadwick Boseman, best known for his role as the Black Panther, who passed away after a four-year battle with colon cancer.

I think it is fair to say that Sakshi has already made an impact at UCLA, despite coming from a small Montessori school or, as I would argue, perhaps because of it. She has taken the Four Pillars of MSA - passion for excellence, global awareness, commitment to service, and universal values - and put them into practice in “real world” situations and has done well. Quite well, thank you! We cannot wait to hear where her internship in our nation’s capital leads her next!

- Dr. Dana Hill

On September 21st, we celebrated International Day of Peace which is observed all around the world and is an opportunity to spread compassion, kindness, and hope. During PEACE studies, the Upper School discussed what Dr. Maria Montessori's goal of promoting global understanding and international peace looks like at our school. The students felt that global education is the main focus of the geography and cultural curriculum here, with the cultural festivals in primary, Festival of Lights every three years, and the continent maps in primary and lower elementary. They also shared memories of the Peace Rose or Table and the various community service offerings as examples of peace lessons.

We hope that you have been inspired by the peace message flags that they created and hung up out front pictured below.