Every year, we ask our graduating eighth graders to pause, look back, and reflect on their journey at The Children’s School. This year’s reflections are a powerful reminder of what makes TCS special, and of the remarkable young people who are ready to take their next step in their learning journey.
Across their answers, clear themes emerge: a deep sense of belonging, the courage to be themselves, and the confidence to speak up, ask questions, and lead with empathy. The Class of 2026 talks about learning to be flexible when things don’t go as planned, to treat others with respect and kindness, and to see mistakes not as failures, but as opportunities for growth. They describe a community where teachers are approachable, friendships are meaningful, and everyone is encouraged to contribute.
As they wrap-up their TCS journey, we celebrate not just what these students have accomplished, but who they have become. TCS graduates consistently go on to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally in high school because they leave with more than knowledge. They carry with them essential skills: self-advocacy, collaboration, time management, integrity, and a strong sense of community.
We couldn’t be prouder of this class and can’t wait to see how they continue to grow, lead, and make their mark beyond TCS.
Mason Carr
Q: What’s something you’ve learned at TCS that you’ll carry with you into high school?
A: Something I have learned at TCS is to adapt and not always get what I want.
Q: How have your classmates or teachers inspired you to be a better community member?
A: My teachers and classmates have inspired me to be a better community member by encouraging me to be the best version of myself.
Q: Which Building Character and Community trait do you connect with most, and why?
A: A BCC trait I connect with is cooperation because there have been points in my time at TCS when I have had to cooperate and not get what I want.
Q: If you could give advice to younger TCS students, what would you say?
A: Some advice I would give to younger students is to learn from your mistakes.
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about the TCS community?
A: Something I will miss about the TCS community is the togetherness and they way that TCS makes me feel like family.
Harrison Chapman
Q: How have your classmates or teachers inspired you to be a better community member?
A: My teachers have inspired me to think about all the decisions I make before I actually act. This has resulted in me being more nuanced and careful when making day-to-day decisions in my community. My classmates have shown me how different perspectives a community can have and to be inclusive of these opinions.
Q: Which Building Character and Community trait do you connect with most, and why?
A: I connect with flexibility the most. In life being flexible is needed and building that skill at TCS will help me throughout high school and beyond.
Q: What project or experience at TCS made you feel most proud of your work?
A: This year I was the president of a club for the first time. With the help of the club members, we were able to talk with an NFL player and got to play football with him. I never thought that this was a possibility, and I am ever grateful to everyone in the club and those who helped me set this up.
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about the TCS community?
A: Something I will miss in the TCS community is how mistakes are dealt with. Instead of mistakes being hated, they are instead seen as learning opportunities, which creates growth, not only academically, but also a form of personal growth.
Q: What do you hope remains the same at TCS?
A: I hope TCS will still value their mission to “Amplify Childhood.” In a world where childhood is rushed, amplifying childhood is meaningful and, in a sense, required to create amazing people in this world.
Joaquín Coronado Chacón
Q: What’s something you’ve learned at TCS that you’ll carry with you into high school?
A: All of our BCC traits, most importantly empathy, respect, and self-control.
Q: How have your classmates or teachers inspired you to be a better community member?
A: My classmates and teachers have inspired me to be a better community member by showing empathy and respect towards me, as well as supporting me when I don’t understand something.
Q: If you could give advice to younger TCS students, what would you say?
A: Show respect and empathy to your teachers and peers, because you may never know if they’re going through something. Also, show self-control in class and during play times.
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about the TCS community?
A: I’ll miss the closeness and interconnectivity of everyone in the community.
Q: What do you hope remains the same at TCS?
A: I hope the club system stays the same.
Sam Edge
Q: What’s something you’ve learned at TCS that you’ll carry with you into high school?
A: Something I’ve learned at TCS that I will carry over to high school is to be myself and to not be ashamed of myself.
Q: How have your classmates or teachers inspired you to be a better community member?
A: My classmates and teachers have inspired me to be a better community member by showing what they do for the community and inspiring me to do the same.
Q: If you could give advice to younger TCS students, what would you say?
A: Advice I would give to younger TCS students is very simple advice, and it is “You’ll do fine, and just be yourself.”
Q: What project or experience at TCS made you feel most proud of your work?
A: A project at TCS that made me feel proud of my work is my 3D design in digital fabrication class.
Q: What do you hope remains the same at TCS?
A: What I hope remains the same is the kindness of the teachers and the STEAM program.
Blake Gordon
Q: What’s something you’ve learned at TCS that you’ll carry with you into high school?
A: Be respectful and kind to everyone.
Q: How have your classmates or teachers inspired you to be a better community member?
A: They have inspired me to be more confident in myself and my actions.
Q: If you could give advice to younger TCS students, what would you say?
A: If you show that you care, people will naturally be attracted to you.
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about the TCS community?
A: I will miss how easy it is to approach the teachers.
Q: What do you hope remains the same at TCS?
A: The mantra that everyone belongs and is welcome.
Savannah Griggs
Q: What’s something you’ve learned at TCS that you’ll carry with you into high school?
A: At TCS, I formed a sense of community along with academics, and I learned how to form many meaningful connections in a way that I had troubles with before. I can now befriend people with greater ease, which will allow me to build a community of friends around myself in high school. Friends are one of the most important things in my opinion, which means that these skills will help me greatly and serve me even beyond high school and into the real world.
Q: How have your classmates or teachers inspired you to be a better community member?
A: My friends have given me a reason to be part of the community in the first place. Normally, I’d be hiding in the corner reading a good book, but because of my friends I sorta had to do stuff and come out of my shell a little. My teachers have also been very nice, and they connected with each student, everyone eventually forming a friendship with the teachers too. I became a better community member because I got a sense of community from around me, which eventually made me part of it.
Q: Which Building Character and Community trait do you connect with most, and why?
A: I must choose respect, out of all of these, as it is the one I strive for the most. I strive to respect everyone, especially myself.
Q: If you could give advice to younger TCS students, what would you say?
A: I would say that time goes on and that even though change seems scary, you acclimate AS the change happens. There’s no need to fear growing up or getting bigger, the world makes more sense as there’s more of it to see.
Q: What project or experience at TCS made you feel most proud of your work?
A: The project that made me most proud of my work would be a presentation on an Indigenous culture called the Sami. I prepared for my presentation very well, and I presented knowledgably. I felt very good about it, and very proud of my work.
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about the TCS community?
A: The fact that you can actually get to know the teachers and there’s such a good sense of community.
Amina Houston
Q: How have your classmates or teachers inspired you to be a better community member?
A: My teachers and classmates inspire me to become a better community member by making me feel like I belong in the community. I feel this way because I have only been at TCS for 2 years, but I feel like I’ve been at TCS my whole life. Coming to TCS every day to learn makes me feel happy and at home.
Q: Which Building Character and Community trait do you connect with most, and why?
A: The BCC trait I connect with is flexibility.
Q: If you could give advice to younger TCS students, what would you say?
A: The advice I will give to younger TCS students is that the learning will get difficult but you will get it eventually and it will be fun.
Q: What is your favorite TCS memory?
A: My favorite TCS memory is coming to TCS and meeting everybody and getting to know people and my teachers.
Q: What do you hope remains the same at TCS?
A: I hope the Little Buddies program remains the same because getting to know the little kids helps the community grow. Also, you get another best friend that you can grow with at TCS.
Eden Johnson
Q: What’s something you’ve learned at TCS that you’ll carry with you into high school?
A: I have learned to not be afraid of asking questions.
Q: Which Building Character and Community trait do you connect with most, and why?
A: I think I connect with flexibility. I chose this because I won’t make a big deal if things change or don’t go the way I want them to or they are supposed to.
Q: If you could give advice to younger TCS students, what would you say?
A: Don’t be afraid to ask questions or speak up for yourself, even if you’re nervous.
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about the TCS community?
A: The thing I will miss the most about our TCS community is how everyone is kind to each other and are always welcoming.
Q: What do you hope remains the same at TCS?
A: I hope that TCS continues to teach the BCC monthly traits.
Collin Kelley
Q: What’s something you’ve learned at TCS that you’ll carry with you into high school?
A: Something I have learned at TCS and will keep is how to treat people respectfully. Being a respectful person helps out the community a lot.
Q: Which Building Character and Community trait do you connect with most, and why?
A: I connect with flexibility because I use it all the time. Being flexible allows you to change if things don’t go to plan.
Q: If you could give advice to younger TCS students, what would you say?
A: I would say keep going and keep pushing because you need to focus on the path.
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about TCS?
A: I will miss the camping trips.
Q: What do you hope remains the same at TCS?
A: I hope TCS continues to focus on play and learning through play.
Vivienne Li
Q: What’s something you’ve learned at TCS that you’ll carry with you into high school?
A: Something I learned at TCS was inclusion. When I first came to TCS, I didn’t know anybody, but on the first day of school I was given a warm welcome by everyone in my class. I’m never afraid to meet new people now thanks to all of my friends. I hope to carry that with me in high school, so I always think about other people.
Q: How have your classmates or teachers inspired you to be a better community member?
A: My classmates and teachers have inspired me to be a better community member by always showing kindness to me and being respectful. This has impacted me heavily because it makes me feel good about myself, and it makes me want to return the favor to everyone. I love being nice to people because I have grown up in such a wonderful environment.
Q: Which Building Character and Community trait do you connect with most, and why?
A: The BCC trait I connect with the most is empathy. Empathy is really important to me because I love comforting my friends when they feel down, or being there for people when they aren’t having the best days. It brings me joy to see them become happy after I tell a joke or after I do a funny dance.
Q: If you could give advice to younger TCS students, what would you say?
A: If I could give advice to younger TCS students I would tell them not to be afraid to speak up for themselves. It doesn’t matter if it’s because you don’t understand something in class, or if you are sticking up for a friend. It is such an important skill because it makes sure you know what you are doing, and it makes our community a better place.
Q: What do you hope remains the same at TCS?
A: I hope that the community and the BCC traits remain the same, because I think both the traits and the people part of the community have helped kids so much with how they see the world and always looking at the positives.
Priya Marshall
Q: What’s something you’ve learned at TCS that you’ll carry with you into high school?
A: I’ve learned the habit of making new friends and being kind to others.
Q: How have your classmates or teachers inspired you to be a better community member?
A: They’ve inspired me to do better in class, bring out the best in myself and others, and also to be kind to people.
Q: If you could give advice to younger TCS students, what would you say?
A: I would say that you should always try your best, ask questions, and be yourself. TCS is a space where you learn new things and meet new people, and it’s a safe space to be in.
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about the TCS community?
A: I’ll miss how friendly everyone is at the school, and that we have fun in all classes, electives, and other extra-curricular activities.
Q: What do you hope remains the same at TCS?
A: I hope the friendliness, love, coolness….basically everything remains the same!
William McSwain
Q: What’s something you’ve learned at TCS that you’ll carry with you into high school?
A: Using a planner and all of the work and subjects leading up to now
Q: Which Building Character and Community trait do you connect with most, and why?
A: Integrity, mainly because I just like to do the right thing regardless of if a person is watching.
Q: If you could give advice to younger TCS students, what would you say?
A: The work will only get harder, so do your work now and do it to the fullest.
Q: What is your favorite TCS memory?
A: The camping trips. I think they are fun and a good way to have a tiny bit of independence.
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about the TCS community?
A: I will miss my class. Without them my experience wouldn’t be as fun, and I wouldn’t be able to meet everyone. I just like how everyone likes everyone.
James Merckens
Q: How have your classmates or teachers inspired you to be a better community member?
A: My classmates and teachers inspire me in their behavior and their advancements, inspiring me to achieve big as well.
Q: Which Building Character and Community trait do you connect with most, and why?
A: I have been helping coordinate events between my friends and the greater community so I think flexibility is the one I identify with the most. I’m also able to be flexible with my schedule when a new change arises.
Q: What project or experience at TCS made you feel most proud of your work?
A: I think the World Peace Games in 7th grade was my proudest learning experience when I was put in a leading role which is something that was new to me at the time and was a fun experience.
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about the TCS community?
A: I think it’s difficult to replicate our sense of community at TCS where it feels like everyone knows each other and that’s a huge part of what I will miss.
Q: What do you hope remains the same at TCS?
A: I hope the friendliness the students have with the teachers stays, as this bond has made it much easier for me to approach teachers when I need help with something.
Matthew Mucha
Q: What’s something you’ve learned at TCS that you’ll carry with you into high school?
A: I’ve learned to always be kind and welcoming to new people.
Q: How have your classmates or teachers inspired you to be a better community member?
A: They have shown respect and empathy for me in times when I have needed it the most.
Q: Which Building Character and Community trait do you connect with most, and why?
A: I would say integrity because it means to do the right thing even when no one is watching. I connect with that because I try to show integrity at school and other places as well.
Q: What is your favorite TCS memory?
A: Honestly, there are so many that I can’t choose a favorite.
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about the TCS community?
A: I’ll miss all of my friends and my favorite teachers.
Niecy Nazzaro
Q: What’s something you’ve learned at TCS that you’ll carry with you into high school?
A: I’ve learned many valuable lessons at TCS, but something that I will bring with me to my next school is to learn to let some things go and not to get annoyed by small things that could be easily ignored. I’ve also learned to manage my time responsibly and to remember what the main goal is.
Q: How have your classmates or teachers inspired you to be a better community member?
A: My classmates have inspired me to stay true to myself. I’ve always felt like I could be myself in this amazing community, and I’ve never felt like I would have to change.
Q: Which Building Character and Community trait do you connect with most, and why?
A: Flexibility is definitely a trait I feel like I connect with most. I’ve learned that if something doesn’t go my way, I need to be flexible and do what I’m told and follow directions.
Q: If you could give advice to younger TCS students, what would you say?
A: I would tell a younger student to try new things and put themselves out there.
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about the TCS community?
A: I’ll definitely miss my friends and caring teachers who have helped get me where I am today.
Mariah Pierre-Louis
Q: What’s something you’ve learned at TCS that you’ll carry with you into high school?
A: I’ve learned about the importance of time management. As a student-athlete with late practices, it’s important to be able to get your work done in a timely manner.
Q: Which Building Character and Community trait do you connect with most, and why?
A: I connect with respect the most. It’s always important to address others with respect because more often than not, they will address you the same.
Q: If you could give advice to younger TCS students, what would you say?
A: It would be not to take your time at TCS for granted. This is a really special school, and I wish every kid could attend here.
Q: What project or experience at TCS made you feel most proud of your work?
A: The World Peace game in 7th grade made me feel really accomplished. It was a collaborative project where the whole grade had to work together by solving crises and saving the world.
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about the TCS community?
A: I’ll miss how everywhere I walk I see a familiar face because our community is so closely knit.
Francesca Reiner
Q: What’s something you’ve learned at TCS that you’ll carry with you into high school?
A: I have learned that a strong sense of community can be one of the most uplifting things in the world, and that one kind word can make someone’s day!
Q: How have your classmates or teachers inspired you to be a better community member?
A: They have inspired me to be a better community member by always being there for me; Laughing with me when I make a mistake, and celebrating me when I have an accomplishment, no matter how big or how small.
Q: Which Building Character and Community trait do you connect with most, and why?
A: I connect most with assertiveness because when I first came to TCS, I was a little more shy and I wouldn’t ask for what I needed as much as I do now. Slowly but surely I grew into myself and became more confident. That’s why I connect and have grown most with the BBC trait assertiveness!
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about the TCS community?
A: I will most miss the fact that every student at TCS gets the same opportunities no matter their race, religion, sexuality, or gender.
Q: What do you hope remains the same at TCS?
A: I hope the little buddies program keeps on going because, for as long as I can remember, that has been an amazing experience for me and I really want others to experience it as well.
Kol Salzberg
Q: What’s something you’ve learned at TCS that you’ll carry with you into high school?
A: I learned how to communicate better with peers.
Q: How have your classmates or teachers inspired you to be a better community member?
A: My classmates have inspired me to work harder.
Q: Which Building Character and Community trait do you connect with most, and why?
A: I connect with cooperation the most because it is essential in learning and building relationships.
Q: What project or experience at TCS made you feel most proud of your work?
A: I was most proud of the World Peace Games (project-based learning unit) because I was a strong leader and got to use my social skills.
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about the TCS community?
A: I will miss how close we were to each other and the strength of the community.
Harrison Taylor
Q: How have your classmates or teachers inspired you to be a better community member?
A: My classmates and teachers have inspired me by showing kindness, respect, and teamwork every day. Seeing how they help others, listen, and support one another has encouraged me to do the same and be a more positive member of the community.
Q: Which Building Character and Community trait do you connect with most, and why?
A: I connect the most with empathy. My role is to understand people’s thoughts and feelings, even when they don’t say them directly. Empathy helps me respond kindly and be truly helpful, not just give the right answer.
Q: If you could give advice to younger TCS students, what would you say?
A: I would tell younger TCS students to be kind to others, stay true to yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Try your best, learn from your mistakes, and remember that everyone is still growing, including you.
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about the TCS community?
A: I’ll miss the close-knit community at TCS the most, especially the supportive teachers and classmates who made school feel like a second home. I’ll miss the fun activities and projects that made learning exciting. The friendships I’ve built here and the way everyone encourages each other will always stay with me.
Q: What do you hope remains the same at TCS?
A: I hope the strong sense of community at TCS stays the same.I want students to continue feeling open to ask questions and share their opinions. I want TCS to continue being a place where students feel supported, respected, and encouraged to grow.
JaJuan Thomas
Q: What’s something you’ve learned at TCS that you’ll carry with you into high school?
A: One major thing that I learned at TCS that has been very helpful is backwards planning. Since learning this skill, planning for projects and outside-of-school activities has become overall less stressful. The skill has helped me plan out exactly how I’m going to execute things and how much time I should allot for them.
Q: Which Building Character and Community trait do you connect with most, and why?
A: I connect the most with respect because it helps people get along and feel important. Respect means listening to others, being kind, and showing that their feelings matter. When people show respect, it builds trust.
Q: If you could give advice to younger TCS students, what would you say?
A: If I could give advice to younger students, I would tell them to make sure to manage their time and do their work first, then have fun.
Q: What is your favorite TCS memory?
A: My favorite TCS memory was on our 7th grade camping trip when we got to hike up a mountain and go to the top of the watch tower.
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about the TCS community?
A: I think that one thing I will miss is Piedmont Park because it’s an amazing place for recess and fun time with friends.
Shane Victor
Q: What’s something you’ve learned at TCS that you’ll carry with you into high school?
A: One thing that I will carry into high school is to use my voice and advocate for myself. Don’t let others speak for me or tell me what to say.
Q: Which Building Character and Community trait do you connect with most, and why?
A: I connect with cooperation the most because I play competitive soccer and have to cooperate in everyday life.
Q: If you could give advice to younger TCS students, what would you say?
A: I would say that they should make the most of every situation. They should take chances and try new things because it might be the last time they get to try it.
Q: What is your favorite TCS memory?
A: My favorite TCS memories are when I’m surrounded by my friends.
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about the TCS community?
A: I will miss how everybody knows each other and can have a good conversation.
Harrison Williams
Q: What’s something you’ve learned at TCS that you’ll carry with you into high school?
A: Something I’ve learned at TCS that I’ll carry with me into high school is how to be myself. TCS has taught me to not let anyone say that you are less than you really are. I also will carry the knowledge that everyone has their own beliefs and that everyone is unique in their own way.
Q: Which Building Character and Community trait do you connect with most, and why?
A: I connect with flexibility because it means that, even if you want something this way or that, you can always be flexible and make it work.
Q: If you could give advice to younger TCS students, what would you say?
A: Even if you didn’t do well on a test or something like that, it’s okay because we all make mistakes and nobody is going to make fun of you for it.
Q: What’s something you’ll miss most about the TCS community?
A: I’ll miss small classes and tight connections.
Q: What do you hope remains the same at TCS?
A: I hope that BCC stays because that is sort of the glue that holds TCS together.
