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education

April 10, 2025

Igniting Curiosity, Inspiring Futures

Julia McCaig Academic Excellence & Achievements, Leadership & Philosophy #IPSMasterworks, academic excellence, alumni, Blueprint For a Better World, community, cultivating humanity, culture, Dr. Ted Spear, education, educational innovation, equip, experiential learning, inquiry, Inspire, intellectual curiosity, leadership, life-changing opportunities, masterworks, middle school, middle school curriculum, middle school program, middle school students, open house, presentations, teaching excellence, Ted Spear, warranted confidence

Middle school students complete and publicly present and defend a 20-page “Masterworks” project as a requirement of graduation? What’s that all about?

Schools rarely ask students what they, themselves, are interested in. Sooner or later, though, they are going to have to figure this out. We want to give them a head start.

As a requirement of graduation, all grade 9 students at Island Pacific School are expected to select a topic of personal interest, research it for six months with the help of an advisory committee, write a 15-25 page paper, and then stand up and publicly defend their work in June.

The presentations typically run from 15-25 minutes, followed by questions from the advisory committee and then questions from the floor. The topics and projects students select have been incredibly diverse. Everything from quantum mechanics to refurbishing a motorcycle. It is an incredible challenge but, with support from their teachers, they all make it through.

And more than one Island Pacific School graduate has described their grade 9 Masterworks experience as the spark that ignited their future calling. Anything can happen when we just ask students what piques their curiosity. Who knew that 14 year old students could have so much ability, drive and curiosity? We did.

Find out more of what we are all about.

March 11, 2025

A Night of Solitude, Courage, and Self-Discovery

Julia McCaig Outdoor Learning, Student Life Blueprint For a Better World, community, cultivating humanity, culture, education, experiential learning, inquiry, Inspire, leadership, life-changing opportunities, middle school curriculum, middle school education, middle school students, responsibility, student life, teaching excellence, warranted confidence

Grade 9 middle school students spend a night alone in the woods? What’s that all about?

Spending a night alone in the wilderness sounds like something out of a survival show, not a middle school curriculum. But at Island Pacific School, we see it as something more: a rite of passage, a moment of reflection, and a test of quiet courage.

Each year, Grade 9 students take part in a solo night—a night spent alone in the bush, with nothing but a sleeping bag, basic gear, and their own thoughts for company. It’s not about proving toughness or enduring hardship. It’s about stepping into stillness, facing the unknown, and discovering a different kind of confidence—the kind that comes not from performing for others, but from being entirely with oneself.

For many students, this is the first time they’ve truly been alone. No phones. No distractions. Just the forest, the night sky, and the steady realization that they are capable of far more than they thought. In the morning, they return—tired, proud, changed.

This tradition isn’t about wilderness skills, though those are important. It’s about something deeper: self-reliance, resilience, and the quiet power of solitude. Before they move on from Island Pacific School, before they step into high school and beyond, our students learn something that few young people today ever experience—how to be comfortable in their own company.

Find out more of what we are all about.

March 6, 2025

Critical Thinking Isn’t an Afterthought

Julia McCaig Academic Excellence & Achievements, Leadership & Philosophy academic excellence, Blueprint For a Better World, cultivating humanity, culture, education, educational innovation, equip, experiential learning, inquiry, Inspire, intellectual curiosity, life-changing opportunities, middle school, middle school curriculum, middle school education, middle school program, middle school students, student life, teaching excellence, warranted confidence

Grade 6 & 7 students study critical discourse. What’s that all about?

Every school wants to teach its students “critical thinking.” But what does that mean, and how exactly do they make it happen?

For over 25 years, Island Pacific School has been introducing its Grade 6 and 7 students to the rudiments of critical discourse: types of claims, fallacies, and the structure of deductive and inductive arguments. We see these as the baseline elements of clear thinking—elements that can then be applied to larger arguments: Should IPS have a late start after Halloween? What are the most beneficial uses of mobile phones? When does science stop being science?

We believe critical thinking isn’t something that can be effectively taught by embedding it into other subjects—any more than you’d teach math by simply weaving it into history or science. It requires dedicated time and focus. That’s why we teach these foundational skills as a standalone subject at the very moment students need them most.

They are entering a world increasingly overwhelmed by false claims, fallacious arguments, and outright deceit. Our job as educators is to give them the tools to see through the nonsense.

Find out more of what we are all about.

March 4, 2025

Accountability: A Lesson You Can’t Skip

Julia McCaig Academic Excellence & Achievements, Leadership & Philosophy academic excellence, Blueprint For a Better World, community, culture, education, educational innovation, equip, experiential learning, inquiry, leadership, life-changing opportunities, middle school, middle school curriculum, middle school education, middle school students, student life, teaching excellence, warranted confidence

When Middle Schoolers Mess Up, They Own It. What’s That All About?

At Island Pacific School, mistakes aren’t punished—they’re owned, understood, and learned from. When things go wrong–and they will–students don’t get off the hook, but they also don’t get stuck in shame. They’re expected to take responsibility, accept consequences, make amends, and move forward.

This isn’t about discipline for its own sake—it’s about character. Learning how to face mistakes with honesty and integrity is just as important as any lesson in math or history. Instead of avoiding accountability, students practice stepping up, making things right, and moving on with confidence and self-respect.

At Island Pacific School, we don’t just teach right from wrong—we teach students how to respond when they get it wrong. Because real learning isn’t about being perfect. It’s about how you handle imperfection.

Find out more of what we are all about.

February 27, 2025

Owning Our Words

Julia McCaig Academic Excellence & Achievements, Community & Culture academic excellence, Blueprint For a Better World, community, cultivating humanity, culture, Dr. Ted Spear, education, educational innovation, equip, experiential learning, inquiry, Inspire, leadership, life-changing opportunities, middle school, middle school curriculum, middle school education, middle school students, responsibility, warranted confidence

Middle school students stand up and apologize for interrupting ? What’s that all about?

At Island Pacific School, learning isn’t just about mastering subjects—it’s about mastering ourselves. It’s about knowing how to listen, how to contribute, and, just as importantly, how to recover when we misstep.

That’s why, when a student interrupts someone—whether it’s a teacher or a classmate—they don’t just mumble “sorry” and move on. They stand up. They pause, acknowledge the interruption, and offer a simple, deliberate apology before sitting back down. It’s a small act, but one that carries real weight.

This isn’t about embarrassment or guilt—it’s about owning our actions. Words matter. Conversations are shared spaces, and learning how to respect them is just as important as learning how to speak up. By making this tiny but intentional gesture, students internalize something essential: respect isn’t just a concept, it’s a practice.

At IPS, we don’t just teach students how to think—we teach them how to move through the world with wisdom, courage, and integrity. And sometimes, that starts with standing up and saying, “I’m sorry, please continue.”

Find out more of what we are all about.

February 25, 2025

Leading the Way

Julia McCaig Academic Excellence & Achievements, Leadership & Philosophy academic excellence, Blueprint For a Better World, community, cultivating humanity, culture, education, educational innovation, equip, experiential learning, inquiry, insire, intellectual curiosity, leadership, life-changing opportunities, middle school, middle school curriculum, middle school education, middle school program, middle school students, responsibility, student life, warranted confidence

Grade 8 and 9 students are mentors for grade sixes and sevens? What’s that all about?

At Island Pacific School, leadership isn’t something that starts in adulthood—it starts right here, right now. That’s why our Grade 8 and 9 students step up as mentors for the younger students, guiding them through the ups and downs of middle school.

This isn’t a formal program with scripted lessons. It’s real, everyday mentorship—helping a younger student navigate a tough assignment, showing them the ropes in the classroom, or just being a friendly face who’s been there before. Our senior students become trusted guides, problem-solvers, and sometimes, just the person who knows where the extra pencils are.

At Island Pacific School, we believe leadership is about taking responsibility, offering support, and learning how to lead with empathy. By the time they reach Grade 9, our students aren’t just prepared for high school; they’ve already experienced what it means to be the kind of leader others look up to.

Find out more of what we are all about.

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February 20, 2025

Thirteen year old middle school students take a course in applied ethics? What’s that all about?

Julia McCaig Community & Culture, Leadership & Philosophy academic excellence, Blueprint For a Better World, cultivating humanity, culture, Dr. Ted Spear, education, educational innovation, equip, experiential learning, inquiry, intellectual curiosity, life-changing opportunities, middle school, middle school curriculum, middle school program, middle school students, teaching excellence

Thinking Deeply About Doing the Right Thing

We all want to do the right thing. We want our kids to do the right thing. But what does the right thing actually look like in any given situation? And why should we do it in the first place? These aren’t just abstract questions for philosophers in university classrooms—they’re real, everyday challenges. And at Island Pacific School, we believe middle school students are ready to take them on.

That’s why, in Grade 8, students take Senior Seminar, a course that introduces them to three of the most influential approaches to ethics—utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, and Aristotelian virtue ethics. They explore how each theory helps shape a moral compass and wrestle with one of the toughest questions of all: why be moral?

This isn’t a Ministry-mandated program. It’s a course Island Pacific School has developed and refined over the years because we believe ethical thinking isn’t just for college students—it’s for anyone who wants to navigate life with wisdom and integrity. The challenge is presenting these ideas in a way that respects students’ intelligence without oversimplifying the content. Our experience? Middle school students are more than capable of grappling with these concepts—and they love it.

Cultivating a moral sensibility is an essential part of a real education. And if you think 13- and 14-year-olds aren’t ready for it, we invite you to step into a Senior Seminar discussion and see for yourself.

Find out more of what we are all about.

February 11, 2025

Middle school students stand up at the beginning of each class? What’s that all about?

Julia McCaig Community & Culture, Student Life academic excellence, Blueprint For a Better World, community, cultivating humanity, culture, education, educational innovation, experiential learning, inquiry, intellectual curiosity, leadership, life-changing opportunities, middle school, middle school curriculum, middle school matters, middle school program, middle school students, responsibility, student life, warranted confidence

Standing Up for Something Bigger

At the start of every class at Island Pacific School, something small—but deeply intentional—happens. As the teacher steps into the room, students rise to their feet. It’s not about formality or obedience. It’s a signal, a ritual, a quiet but powerful moment that sets the tone: We’re here, together, for something that matters.

On the surface, it’s an expression of respect—an acknowledgment of the teacher’s role in guiding the learning ahead. But it’s more than that. It’s the beginning of a two-way exchange. The teacher meets each student’s eyes and says something simple but meaningful: “Thanks for being here. Thanks for bringing your heart and mind to this class.” It’s a recognition—not just of attendance, but of presence, of effort, of willingness to engage.

At its core, this small act embodies something much bigger: the shared purpose of education itself. Learning isn’t just about absorbing facts; it’s about refining our ability to think, reason, create, and act with intention. It’s about becoming fuller, wiser versions of ourselves. This daily moment, brief but deliberate, is a reflection of that commitment.

It’s easy to overlook something so simple. But like all great rituals, its power lies in its repetition. Day after day, class after class, students and teachers step into something greater than themselves. And that’s what makes it more than a routine—it’s a reminder of why we’re here.

Find out more of what we are all about.

November 30, 2020

The times are a changin’ and so are we!

Julia McCaig Community & Culture, Leadership & Philosophy academic excellence, Blueprint For a Better World, community, cultivating humanity, culture, digital literacy, education, educational innovation, inquiry, life-changing opportunities, middle school, middle school curriculum, middle school education, middle school matters, student life

There are distinct benefits to being a small middle school on an island when a global pandemic hits. The most important is that we can adapt, innovate and change quickly.

In March, when schools closed their doors and went online, Island Pacific School’s students were in ‘class’ within two days. Through Google Meet and Google Classroom, students had face to face interactions with teachers, their classmates and, in the beginning, an introduction to everyone’s pets!

Throughout the spring, we adapted the schedule to allow for more movement breaks and personal projects, decided on and reported on, by each student. At IPS, the month of June is usually full of celebrations and excursions. We were able to adapt our grade 9 Masterworks presentations to be live streamed and give the students the audience they deserved, complete with a question period from the viewers. Our school wide, three day kayak and camp trip to Gambier went local with kids sleeping at home but hiking and kayaking from Bowen. Rites of Passage was a different celebration than years past, but a car parade and distanced ceremony made our grads feel special.

What does IPS look like now? Similar, but different. We’ve created two cohorts of about 30 students each. Each grade has their own classroom and subject teachers move to them for classes. In common areas and when cohorts mix, like for Morning Stretch and Announcements, all students are masked. Our grade 6 and 9 students kept the mentoring alive and carved pumpkins together for Halloween.

The reality of course, is that more students are staying home for health reasons. We have enabled them to continue with their academics and they can attend classes virtually if need be. Personally, I have had to teach class virtually with my students at desks and myself projected in front of them. Interesting times! If we do need to return to an online or hybrid model, we – both students and staff – are well equipped to do so.

As the song goes, the “times they are a changin”. Island Pacific School is changing too. We will continue to equip and inspire students to become the very best of what it means to be human.

education

Igniting Curiosity, Inspiring Futures

Middle school students complete and publicly present and defend a 20-page “Masterworks” project as a requirement of graduation? What’s that all about?

A Night of Solitude, Courage, and Self-Discovery

Grade 9 middle school students spend a night alone in the woods? What’s that all about?

Critical Thinking Isn’t an Afterthought

Grade 6 & 7 students study critical discourse. What’s that all about?

Accountability: A Lesson You Can’t Skip

When Middle Schoolers Mess Up, They Own It. What’s That All About?

Owning Our Words

Middle school students stand up and apologize for interrupting ? What’s that all about?

Leading the Way

Grade 8 and 9 students are mentors for grade sixes and sevens? What’s that all about?

Thirteen year old middle school students take a course in applied ethics? What’s that all about?

Thinking Deeply About Doing the Right Thing

Middle school students stand up at the beginning of each class? What’s that all about?

Standing Up for Something Bigger

The times are a changin’ and so are we!

There are distinct benefits to being a small middle school on an island when a global pandemic hits. The most important is that we can adapt, innovate and change quickly.

~ Jennifer Henrichsen, Assistant Head

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