Jayden Neder, rising sophomore at SEED Miami
Do you remember what it was like to be the new kid?
Starting a new school at a young age can be an unnerving experience. Many feel vulnerable, nervous, and worried. But for students starting at a boarding school, these feelings can be amplified.
Jayden Neder (SEED Miami ’23) began his journey at SEED Miami as a 7th grade student—one year after most of his peers. He missed out on 6th grade New Student Orientation, designed to help incoming students build camaraderie, trust, and connections. “Initially, being at a boarding school was difficult for me. It was hard for me to get used to my new environment and to deal with being away from home.”
The bond Jayden built with his student life counselor, Mr. Chatfield, was key to easing his transition to SEED’s five--day-a-week boarding program. “I’m so glad I had Mr. Chatfield as my student life counselor. I felt a connection right away—it is unexplainable. When I felt alone, he let me know it was going to be OK.”
As an added layer of support, Mr. Chatfield threw Jayden a surprise party to help his classmates get to know him. “It was amazing! Everyone came rushing up to me and asking me questions like what is my name and what do I like. I made so many friends in such a short period of time.”
One year later, Jayden’s younger brother Jordan (SEED Miami ’25) joined the SEED family and immediately connected with Mr. Derik Washington, SEED Miami’s director of student support services and a former boarding school student. “When I first came to SEED, Mr. Washington was one of the first people I met. He was really nice and helped make my experience as comfortable as possible. And he’s still there for me today—always helping me get better.”
We know there is a critical connection between a student’s academic achievement and their need to feel safe, accepted, and valued. In fact, many of our student life counselors have a background in social work or mental health counseling. SEED Miami also has four, full-time, licensed health counselors—more than a traditional school—who help guide SEED scholars in their personal, social, and academic development.
SEED’s unique public boarding school model enables us to put relationships first. Together, we build the relationships and emotional supports that Jayden, Jordan, and their classmates need to reach their academic and career goals.
For more information on SEED Miami’s Student Support Services, click here.