Welcoming SEED Students Back to Boarding School

Do you remember that feeling of possibility at the beginning of a new school year? The drive to do your best and to tackle new subjects and activities? Looking forward to seeing friends, and maybe if you were starting a new school, feeling a little apprehensive about how you would fit in?

At SEED, school is back in full swing, and our students are ready to take on new challenges, expand their horizons, and have fun. Students have moved into their dorms and started classes, tried out for sports, and signed up for activities. They are reconnecting with their SEED school communities, including their teachers, coaches, counselors, and classmates.

At The SEED School of Maryland’s (SEED MD) move-in day, families lined up in their cars to drop students off. Parents and siblings grabbed last hugs as staff stood by to greet students before they headed off to their dorms. Once inside, students were welcomed by student life counselors ready to help them settle in. Sixth grader Nayshalis was excited as she arrived on SEED MD’s campus for her first year. Even though she was feeling a little nervous, she said “I’m looking forward to meeting new people.”

Instead of the traditional move-in day block party of years past, The SEED School of Miami (SEED Miami) students arrived on campus in smaller groups over four nights. They were familiar with their campus from June orientation and were welcomed back with community meetings to help them get acclimated to the new year. One of the many back-to-school activities was Freshman Bridge, a series of workshops that help students get into the high school mindset. They learned about time management, executive functioning skills, and college readiness topics, and they planned out what they want their transcripts to say in the future.

At The SEED School of Washington, D.C. (SEED DC), back-to-school preparation started in June, where each incoming class had an outdoor orientation, complete with SEED DC swag, balloons, and a scavenger hunt. When students came back to campus in August for move-in, they were met with the same uplifting energy. A welcome committee greeted them outside, and student life counselors had playlists prepared for each of their floors. Mr. Rooks, director of student life, is excited to see what his students will achieve this year with the guidance of the resilient and perseverant SEED DC faculty. “We’re looking forward to helping students identify who they are and change their trajectory as owners of their own learning. We’re here to facilitate that.”

Like many things these days, move-in day looked a little different this year, but the hopeful energy of a new school year was the same as always. SEED students are motivated, curious, and engaged in their learning and exploration. Join us and help make this school year better than the last for SEED students—and follow along all month to stay up to date as our students transition back to boarding.