Student Experience - Mayfield Junior School

The student experience at Mayfield goes far beyond the construct of the classroom and curriculum. How a person grows beyond the traditional program is what generally sets independent school education apart from other options. In a community like MJS, the unique potential of a young person is discovered through a careful and thoughtful plan to present, challenge and support them at every step of the way.

At Mayfield, we prioritize the environment, the learning context and accessibility, individual strengths, voice and choice, metacognitive or higher-level thinking with special notice to adaptability and hard and soft skills - love of learning, joy in learning.

When it comes down to it, no two students will have the same experience, but that is what we hope.

In This Section

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Student Pledge

As a Mayfield Student, I accept responsibility for my actions and words. I honor God's creation and pledge to treat others with kindness, compassion, and respect.

Grade Level Milestones

Starting with the Nativity Play and KPals in kindergarten to leading School Families and organizing the Harvest Festival in eighth grade, grade level projects and activities support the transition and growth in a K-8 setting.

Lower School K-4

Lower School students experience many opportunities to grow in confidence, build relationships, and learn about themselves and the world around them.

Middle School 5-8

Middle school is a time when new learning experiences are introduced in the curriculum. The academic program expands and students have the opportunity to engage in elective courses, join a number of co-curriculars, and participate on athletic sports teams.

Connections

There are many opportunities for students to try new things, connect with others, or explore a passion.

Morning Prayer

At Mayfield Junior School students, teachers and many parents gather at the start of each day for Morning Prayer. In a few moments before running off to class or work, the school community shares timely facts and announcements, celebrates accomplishments and remembers each other and the world in prayer.

Led by student council with a presentation each week by an individual homeroom or advisory, Morning Prayer provides our children with real life experiences that encourage comfort and proficiency in public speaking and create opportunities to develop leadership and organizational skills. From an early age students learn to be active and respectful listeners.

KPals and School Families

KPals and School Families build relationships across grade levels and provide leadership experience for the older students.KPals pairs kindergarteners with sixth graders for a weekly activity or just to share a moment together with a good book. Both age groups so look forward to KPals meetings that time flies by, friendships grow and memories are made. School Families is perhaps the most anticipated leadership opportunity during the eighth grade year. Since its inception, it has become a beloved tradition. Each School Family is comprised of one student from each grade level, beginning in first grade, with an eighth grade student as the head of the Family. The Families gather on Friday mornings for an organized meeting and remain a family unit throughout the school year, participating in special projects and often sitting together during a mass or special assembly or competing on the same team for Blue & White Day.

Student Leadership Clubs

Student Leadership Clubs are open to all students in grades 5-8, fostering a collaborative environment where members can share ideas and learn from each other.

ID: Inclusive By Design: Weekly meetings focus on initiatives and activities that foster an inclusive student environment and celebration of family and cultural heritage. Club members from grades 5-8 work on various projects throughout the year, including awareness campaigns, cultural celebrations, and peer education sessions.

Helping Hands: Weekly meetings at lunchtime focus on creating programming related to conservation and environmental sustainability at the school and the larger community. Club membership is open to all students in grades 5-8. Additionally, the students organize other events for reach out or service learning projects throughout the year and lead relevant community connections.

Tinker-Time: A hands-on club encouraging students to engage in creative and technical projects. Meetings are held weekly during lunchtime, where students can explore and experiment with various tools and materials to build innovative projects.

Co-Curriculars

Co-curricular programs meet before (zero period) or after school and are led by skilled coaches or leaders. Many of the co-curricular activities are academically competitive. Most co-curricular activities meet once a week, some more frequently, depending on the program's needs. Almost all co-curricular activities have minimum participation requirements, including tryouts, auditions, and minimum skill levels.

Programs include: Speech and Debate, Model UN, Chess, Robotics, Choir, Strings Ensembles.

Student Council

Student council is a leadership opportunity for students in grades 5-8. Elected positions include class representatives and an Executive Council. The Executive Student Council is a group of eighth grade student leaders who represent the voice and spirit of our school community. Elected by students in grades 4-7 in the spring of each year, council members take on additional leadership responsibilities, such as leading Morning Prayer each day and serving as Admissions ambassadors. Members help plan and lead school-wide initiatives such as spirit days, snack bars, free dress days, Reach Out activities, and other community-building events. In addition to the roles of president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, the council includes commissioner roles such as school culture, technology and reach out with specific responsibilities.

Electives

Large assembly of students in a gym setting with a speaker in the foreground

Four students about 5th grade working with Lego robots at a Robotics competition

Traditions and Events

Seven kids of various ages with a pumpkin they decorated as a skeleton with spider webs.

Kids in a tug of war for a field day activity

We have many traditions at Mayfield. Each tradition has a story; each year it continues has special significance to those who participate. Some go back decades, some are recent additions, and some have evolved over time. The good-natured rivalry of Blue and White Day, the history behind the Nativity Play, and the connection of the Heritage Fair - all mark passage through the school year and provide memorable shared experiences.

Harvest Festival

Kindergarten Nativity Play

Highly anticipated and never failing to entertain, the Kindergarten Nativity Play is perhaps one of Mayfield's most beloved Christmas traditions and has been for over 90 years. First performed in 1935, this retelling of the Christmas story by the youngest members of the student body has delighted parents and grandparents every year and can easily spark memories for the many alumni who once took the stage as angel, shepherd, or king.

Family Heritage Fair

Love Grams

It's a tradition at Mayfield Junior School to celebrate Valentine's Day in a big way. Each year, the eighth grade class sells Love Grams to the entire school community as a fundraiser for Reach Out. For a nominal fee per Love Gram, the 8th graders assemble the personal notes and small gifts and hand deliver them, sometimes even with a heartfelt serenade. These messages of friendship and appreciation are highly anticipated every year and raise a significant amount of money that is donated to select organizations and charities in late May.

Grandparents & Special Friends Day

Arts Week

Blue & White Day

One day in May is reserved for a little good-natured competition. Blue and White Day is organized and run by the eighth grade class and remains a student favorite when it comes to Mayfield traditions. Following a pancake breakfast, the entire school--students, faculty, staff and administration-- is divided into two teams, each representing one of the school's colors, blue or white, and participate in crazy games, an obstacle course relay and grade level tugs-of-war. Score is kept and at the end of the day a winning team is announced.