Mark Day School

Recently, our 8th grade scientists have jumped into chemistry, exploring matter, atoms, subatomic particles, and the periodic table through a mix of hands-on labs and activities. One of our first projects was Atomic Art. Each student was assigned an element and created a 3D model showing its protons, neutrons, and electrons. They first completed a research document about their element before starting to build and then created a Google Slide to dig a little deeper into their element and explore its role and importance on Earth. The idea was to take something incredibly tiny and abstract and make it something students could actually see, touch, and explain. Along the way, students learned that scientists use models to help us understand things we can’t directly observe, which is a big part of how we approach science throughout the year. Students will build on their understanding of atoms as we move into the periodic table, chemical formulas and reactions, and eventually balancing equations. Later in the year, we’ll shift gears into physics and explore motion, forces, energy, and machines.

Admission at Mark Day School - A Private K-8 School Prepare for a smooth journey into middle school with our straightforward admission process.

Kindergarten and 8th grade buddies got together this week for a special activity to share more about themselves. It was the first of many gatherings that will occur throughout the year.

At Mark Day School, teachers know every student deeply—their strengths, interests, challenges, and what motivates them. And because of this, they can provide the right balance of challenge and support for each learner. Through thoughtful differentiation, students are met where they are and encouraged to stretch beyond what they already know and can do, building the skills, confidence, and independence to keep growing.

Admission at Mark Day School - A Private K-8 School Prepare for a smooth journey into middle school with our straightforward admission process.

The Fun Run is THIS Sunday! We hope to see you there, ready to run/walk, eat pancakes, and show off your costumes. If you haven’t registered, there’s still time—visit markdayschool.org/funrun2026.

This morning, we welcomed the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura from Paraguay to Mark Day School!

The Recycled Orchestra is a group of children and young people from Cateura, Paraguay, a community near the Cateura landfill outside Asunción. The musicians perform on instruments made from discarded materials, many of which are created in their own instrument workshop.

The Orchestra’s work goes far beyond making music from recycled materials. Through music education, they create opportunities for young people, build community, foster creativity, and encourage students to imagine new possibilities for themselves and their communities. Their story was also featured in the documentary Landfill Harmonic.

5th graders are learning about states and capitals. To work on their confidence in their knowledge, they played a memory-style game to match the state to the capital.

As part of their eco design course, 8th graders are learning about bioplastics and experimenting with making their own.

Last year, we launched Mark Day School‘s Alumni Fellow Program to foster the ongoing connection between Mark Day School and Kliptown Youth Program (KYP) in South Africa, a partnership that began in 2012. The program gives alums an opportunity to live in South Africa and volunteer at KYP through a $5,000 grant. Fellows work at KYP for several weeks in an area of need. We have had three alums receive the grant thus far. One of them, Antonia ‘20, just returned. Several years ago, she traveled to KYP as part of a Mark Day delegation. During that trip, a group of KYP girls opened up to her about what they were carrying emotionally and how few people they had to turn to. That experience inspired her desire to go back as part of the fellow program and lead a series of open sessions, a forum where students can raise sensitive topics openly or anonymously. She had prepared with Mark Day teachers before she left, with two goals: lead as many sessions as possible and train KYP staff to run them on their own. Antonia says, “The feeling of being there and really seeing the hands-on difference I was making felt super empowering. It was truly the most eye-opening experience.”

Today’s joke assembly victory: “What do you call a bear in the rain? A drizzly bear!” Our monthly joke assemblies are a cherished Mark Day tradition. Aside from the morning laughs, it’s great public speaking practice for all students K-8.

We are so proud of our alums! Harper ‘26, Maya ‘24, and Farah ‘23 competed for Branson on the 1s team in the Stinson Relay last week. This was the first race of the Cross Country season, and they smoked the competition, winning by 2 minutes. Pictured above is a group of Mark Day alumni at the Stinson race.