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Field trips help bring the Indy Experience to life in the best way! Our 5th through 8th graders recently headed off campus for a series of fall adventures centered on outdoor discovery, problem-solving, and team building.

This year, our youngest learners in ECI and ECII are stepping into scientific discovery as science is introduced as a dedicated co-curricular for the first time. The new initiative features two classes: Story Explorers and Wonder Walks.

Our sincere thanks to the Perkins Family for their generous gift of a handcrafted mud kitchen for the Funk Outdoor Classroom. This wonderful new addition to the space is already being enjoyed by Early Childhood students, encouraging imaginative play and hands-on learning in nature. We appreciate Gordan '04, Stephanie, Ellie '34, and Tony '37 for their thoughtful support of our school and for helping create an engaging environment for our students.

This summer, 24 middle schoolers and 4 dedicated chaperones enjoyed an adventure through Spain, France, and the coast! Read more for a full recap of the trip and to enjoy photos of their incredible experiences. 

Last week, our 8th graders embarked on an unforgettable trip to Boston — one of their final bonding experiences before they graduate! Their adventure included exploring historical sites in Plymouth, enjoying a tour of Fenway Park, and attending a Boston Pops performance featuring the music of John Williams. Even the bus rides were filled with fun and friendship.

The annual Latin Day is a favorite event for our middle school students to celebrate this classical language. Tatnall hosted this year as friends from Sanford School, Tower Hill School, and Upland County Day School participated in several athletic activities, the favorite being the chariot races. It is always special to see the large group of Indy alumni from the participating high schools also in attendance at Latin Day! Thank you to Mrs. Fallon for leading our students through this exciting event!

This week, the 8th grade class proudly showcased their Collaborative Inquiry Projects to peers, parents, and teachers. Since September, the students have been immersed in their research, collecting data, analyzing results, and drawing conclusions.

This spring, Independence alumna Zoe Symons ’21 returned to campus, not as a student, but as a teacher-in-training. Now a senior at Sanford, Zoe partnered with Independence for her two-week Senior Project, a hands-on program that allows students to explore a career path through shadowing and real-world experience. Her project centered on blackout poetry, a creative technique where poets use existing texts to reveal hidden poems by blacking out selected words.

Our 4th graders recently wrapped up their geology unit by stepping into the shoes of both scientists and storytellers. To celebrate everything they learned, students teamed up to create original newscasts reporting on fictional seismic events.

The annual Latin Day is a favorite event for our middle school students to celebrate this classical language. Sanford hosted this year as friends from The Tatnall School, Tower Hill School, and Upland County Day School participated in several athletic activities, the favorite being the chariot races. Thank you to Mrs. Fallon for leading our students through this exciting event, and a special shoutout to Grace '27 for designing this year's t-shirt!

Summer reading looks a little different in every classroom, but the goal remains the same: keeping students engaged with literature while giving them creative ways to demonstrate their thinking. In the Intermediate and Middle School divisions, teachers used a mix of analytical writing and visual projects to help students reflect on their required summer texts, shaking off the summer rust and sharpening core skills for the year ahead. 

At Independence, students build strong research and presentation skills throughout their academic journey. This week, 5th graders put those skills into action during their Famous Person Showcase. After learning about the research process in class, each student selected a well-known individual to study, exploring everything from their early life to career milestones and major accomplishments. Can you identify the famous faces? Read more for a photo. 

Our 2nd graders recently hosted their 1st annual Popcorn and Poetry event. Parents and special guests joined the students on a beautiful afternoon as they read a spring acrostic poem as well as an autobiographical poem aloud in small groups, while enjoying a popcorn snack. They also collaborated with their parent or special guest to write a summer acrostic poem. Well done, 2nd grade! 

It starts with a curve, a connection, and a bit of practice, and soon becomes a skill students carry with confidence. Since January, 2nd grade has been diving into cursive through the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum. What begins as careful, deliberate strokes soon becomes something more fluid. Students learn about the “magic c” and “tow truck” letters, playful names that help them understand how cursive letters form and connect.

What a delight to once again have our charming 1st graders invite us to visit their Mammal Zoo! As one of the most treasured hallmark experiences for young Indy students, the Mammal Zoo represents so much more than children dressed in adorable animal costumes.

To begin the school year, students in grades 6-8 participated in a two-day Middle School Orientation entitled "Defining Independence." Designed to set a positive tone for the months ahead, the launch focused on belonging, awareness, and responsibility. Through a mix of academic preparation, community-building exercises, and social-emotional learning, students deepened their connections with peers while embracing the values that define Independence.

This year, with the addition of our School Counselor, Mr. Brangs, lunch bunches have become a valuable part of student life at Independence. Designed to create a smaller, more relaxed setting during the school day, these groups give students the opportunity to connect with peers, build relationships, and develop a stronger sense of belonging within the school community.

Families recently gathered for two engaging CWIL Parent Workshops focused on one of today’s most pressing parenting topics: helping children find balance and thrive in an increasingly digital world. Throughout the workshops, presenters explored how technology shapes developing minds and relationships while sharing strategies families can use to promote healthier habits at home. These CWIL Parent Workshops reflect Independence’s ongoing commitment to partnering with families and providing resources that support students’ overall well-being, both in and beyond the classroom.

Beginning on the first day of school, our 1st graders learn that the words they choose and the attitudes they bring to school can make a powerful difference. In Mrs. Annable’s classroom, positivity is part of everyday learning. Students are encouraged to notice what they are thankful for, celebrate their strengths, and spread kindness to classmates and adults alike.

As part of their Social and Emotional Learning curriculum, our 5th graders dedicated an hour this week to serving the local community by writing heartfelt holiday cards and decorating each one with festive cheer. The cards will be shared with nearby Acts Retirement Communities, spreading warmth and joy to residents. Thanks to a special connection through Mrs. Shockley’s family members who work there, the cards will be personally delivered this holiday season, ensuring they arrive with care.

Earlier this week, more than 120 student leaders from 14 regional schools gathered at The Shipley School for the R.I.S.E. Middle School Leadership Summit, hosted by the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS). Representing Independence among the crowd were members of our SGA Executive Board, Grade-Level Representatives, and advisors, Ms. Farr and Mrs. Slaton.

Over the summer, as part of his Eagle Scout project, DJ Martin '24 chose to revamp the baseball dugouts on Independence's campus. Looking back on his time in the athletics program following graduation, DJ saw an opportunity to enhance the facilities and reimagine the space for future student-athletes.

Navigating high school admissions is a major milestone at Independence, and a true whole-family decision. Each fall, Indy hosts Secondary School Night, an event designed to guide our 7th and 8th-grade students and their parents through the path ahead, encouraging them to explore every possibility with an open mind. 

This week, our ECI students met their 8th grade buddies for the first time as they enjoyed snacks and laughs. The program pairs our youngest Patriots with role models to inspire them while offering our middle school students a chance to hone their leadership skills. We can't wait to watch these new Patriot Pal bonds grow throughout the school year!

Congratulations to our newly elected Student Government Association Executive Officers for the 2026-2027 school year! We’re proud of every candidate for their commitment to serving the Indy community.

President: Riley M.; Vice President: Kelsey M.; Treasurer: Henry C.; Secretary: Lucas P.; Historian: Henry K.