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Some of our middle schoolers recently embarked on the first field trips of the year, an exciting start to this year’s adventures beyond the classroom! Last week, the 8th grade class paddled down the Brandywine River at Northbrook Canoe, working in pairs and building connections at the start of their final year at Indy. This week, the 7th graders traveled to Stroud Water Research Center to complete a stream study of the White Clay Creek, diving into hands-on science in the field.

Thirteen rising 7th and 8th graders recently returned from an unforgettable service and cultural immersion trip to Puerto Rico with Global Works. Their time focused on meaningful work, including helping to construct a home, and some favorite moments were salsa dancing and spending time in the water. A special thank you to group leader Mrs. Grote, chaperone Mrs. Slaton, and Ms. Maren from Global Works for making this experience possible! Read more for photos. 

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, cheering on the Red Sox at Fenway (with a few students making it onto the Jumbotron!), and attending a high-energy Blue Man Group performance. Even the bus rides were filled with fun and friendship. 

This spring, middle school science students brought learning to life by researching, designing, and planting Indy’s first pollinator garden in front of the Rotunda. They began by testing the soil’s pH and nutrient levels, then selected native plants that would thrive and support local ecosystems. The idea took root after Mrs. Grote received a summer professional development grant to explore more outdoor learning opportunities. The garden was intentionally designed to attract bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators.

Every spring, our 7th and 8th grade English students take part in what has become a truly unique Independence experience: performing Shakespeare in the Great Barn. Against a backdrop of towering stone walls, sturdy pillars, and a wooden stage, students rehearse, memorize, and bring scenes from the Bard’s works to life.

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!

This week, the 8th grade class proudly showcased their collaborative inquiry science projects to peers, parents, teachers, and local experts. Since September, our students have been immersed in their research, collecting data, analyzing results, and drawing conclusions.

Think of a penny! Quick! Are you picturing a copper-colored, small, round coin with a smooth edge? Is there a President’s face on it? If so, which way is it facing? Are there any words? If you are not able to answer some of these questions, you are not alone. This conundrum is the same for much of what our students experience when preparing for assessments in school. They may think they “know” their material, when, in fact, they are merely “familiar” with it. We call this an illusion of knowledge.

Earlier this week, all 3 kindergarten classes participated in the first annual Nursery Rhyme Olympics! The games served as a culminating activity to celebrate all that these students have learned in their Nursery Rhymes and Fables unit. Read more to watch a video featuring each event!  

This trimester, 8th graders had the opportunity to take Mock Trial, an elective taught by middle school English teacher Mr. McDonald. In this culminating experience, students stepped into the roles of lawyers and witnesses, working to persuade a jury composed of faculty and administrators. Over several weeks, students collaborated in assigned teams to analyze a fictional case involving a middle school vandalism incident. Read more to find out the verdict! 

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. 

Recently, we proudly celebrated the 33rd annual Patriotic Program, a beloved Independence tradition led by our talented 3rd graders. With inspiring remarks from Major Robert Ford, U.S. Army National Guard and current parent, and an excellent performance by the students, this was an evening to remember. Congratulations to Michelle Robinson and Amy Holt for a successful event, and sincere thanks to pianist Bruce Vrana, who has accompanied the program for more than 25 years, ever since his own children were students at Independence.

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 6th-8th grade participated in a Middle School Orientation entitled "Defining Independence." This 3-day launch set the tone for a successful year by focusing on belonging, awareness, and responsibility. Through a balance of academic preparation, community-building, and social-emotional learning, students strengthened connections with one another while embracing the values that define Independence. Read more to learn about how each grade approached Defining Independence with a unique lens.

This week, our middle school Character Development Program (CDP) groups participated in a meaningful project with Blankets of Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students practice empathy and kindness. The organization provides blankets, along with handwritten student letters, to individuals experiencing homelessness across the United States.

Many of our students recently teamed up with Drip Coffee in Hockessin to decorate coffee sleeves with heartfelt designs and messages, bringing a little extra warmth to the community. Beginning February 14, these one-of-a-kind sleeves will be wrapped around hot coffee cups until they run out, just in time to share the love for Valentine's Day and celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day! Read more to see a few of the designs.

Mindfulness is a powerful tool for children and adults alike. By helping your child practice mindfulness, you’re teaching them how to manage stress, improve focus, and develop emotional resilience. The best part? You don’t need fancy tools or a lot of time to incorporate mindfulness into your daily life.

This year, Mrs. Marea Kessler, is bringing the practice of mindfulness to our lower school students. Sharing mindfulness with students helps to encourage healthy interactions and a positive classroom climate and supports students’ learning readiness.

Independence 7th grader Abby recently shared an inspiring and informative presentation with faculty about her experiences working alongside neurodivergent students. Drawing on her own observations and research, Abby explored the gap between textbook definitions of neurodiversity and the lived experiences of students who identify as neurodivergent.

Congratulations to our newly elected Student Government Association Executive Officers for the 2025-2026 school year! We’re proud of every candidate for their commitment to serving the Indy community.

President: Layaan; Vice President: Tim; Treasurer: Riley; Secretary: Stuart; Historian: Violet

Recently, sixth-grader Abby took part in Advocacy Week with the Tourette Association of America (TAA) after being selected through a rigorous application process to train as a Junior Youth Ambassador. Over three days on Capitol Hill, she met with key policymakers, including Congresswoman McBride, the Health and Education Policy Director for Senator Coons, and the Legislative Director for Senator Blunt Rochester. Abby confidently shared her story and advocated for critical TAA initiatives. Abby plans to continue participating in this important training and sharing the acquired knowledge and tools with her fellow Star Kids Club members.

This week, our ECI students shared snacks, laughs, and friendship with their 8th grade buddies. This program pairs our younger 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!

This November, as part of the Character Development Program, our 6th and 7th grade students completed their in-school hour of community service. Each group was tasked with coming up with their activity and executing it. Read more for a few examples.