leadership

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 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.

resized What's That All About IG 2 18 25 (1)

February 18, 2025

Middle school students clean their own school? What’s that all about?

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

No Janitors, No Problem: Taking Ownership of Our Space

At Island Pacific School, there’s no magical cleanup crew tidying up at the end of the day. The students clean their own school.

This is about responsibility, respect, and pride in our shared space. Sweeping floors, wiping tables, and taking out the recycling aren’t just chores; they’re a daily lesson in stewardship. Students learn that a community doesn’t run on the work of unseen hands—it thrives when everyone plays a part.

At Island Pacific School, we believe education isn’t just what happens in books. It’s about learning how to show up, contribute, and take care of what’s around you. Because when you’re responsible for cleaning your own mess, you think twice about making one in the first place.

Find out more of what we are all about.

February 13, 2025

Grade 9 students lead the whole school in “morning stretch” and announcements, every day? What’s that all about?

Julia McCaig Academic Excellence & Achievements, Student Life community, cultivating humanity, culture, educational innovation, experiential learning, leadership, life-changing opportunities, middle school, middle school education, middle school students, responsibility, student life, warranted confidence

Confidence Begins at 9am

At Island Pacific School, leadership isn’t something students wait for—it’s something they step into. That’s why every morning, it’s our Grade 9 students—not teachers—who lead the entire school in stretching and announcements.

This daily ritual isn’t just about loosening up stiff muscles or sharing the schedule. It’s about ownership, confidence, and presence. Grade 9 students take turns standing in front of the school, guiding their peers through a quick stretch, and delivering the day’s updates. It’s a simple act, but one that requires clarity, composure, and a sense of responsibility—all essential leadership skills.

At first, some students hesitate. Public speaking isn’t easy, and leading a group—even for a few minutes—can feel intimidating. But by the end of the year, they stand a little taller, speak a little louder, and carry themselves with the quiet assurance that comes from leading, not just listening.

This isn’t just a warm-up for the day. It’s a warm-up for life. At Island Pacific School, leadership isn’t an abstract idea—it’s something students practice, every single morning.

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.

leadership

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?

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?

Middle school students clean their own school? What’s that all about?

No Janitors, No Problem: Taking Ownership of Our Space

Grade 9 students lead the whole school in “morning stretch” and announcements, every day? What’s that all about?

Confidence Begins at 9am

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

Standing Up for Something Bigger

Address

Useful Links

Hours

Get Social

Talk to Admissions

Call the School