Salute to Sixth Grade

We caught up with Community School’s 2023 graduates and asked them questions about their Community School experience. Here are some of their responses.

Why do you love Community?

I love Community because it feels like a second home.

- Azam Bhutto

I appreciate the support I get from all the teachers.

- Gus Lochhead

I love the interactive style of teaching at Community.

- Hunter Wohlford

Because of the friends I have and the kindness I have experienced here.

- Lee Kirkpatrick

I love Community because of how inclusive everyone is.

- Jack Watters

Because I’ve had so many amazing teachers and friends that I will keep forever.

- Margot Todorovich

I love Community School because of all of the opportunities it offers, and how it feels like one big family.

- Piper Davis

I love Community because we get to connect with friends regularly.

- Annie Amos

We are all taught to be kind at Community.

- Frannie Varble

I appreciate all of the experiences and how all the teachers support us through everything.

- Brody Jones

Because Community gives me many opportunities like woodshop and access to a pond for science.

- Rani Orsay

I love Community because it provides a great education for a great future.

- Aiden Robinson

I love Community School because everyone here is very welcoming and it teaches valuable life lessons.

- Rylan Harden

It is an amazing place where you can make long-lasting friendships.

- Chris Stevenson

Because over the years I have made a lot of good friends, and we will always stay in touch.

- Samantha Burkhardt

Because they work hard to nurture my mind, body, AND spirit. I joined in Nursery, and they have enabled me to score well on my ERBs, created my love for the woods, and helped make me who I am today.

- Jade Edelstein

Because it is a place where I feel safe, and I can do anything.

- Grant Taylor

Community has taught me how to open up to my classmates and be myself. I am so glad for this, and it has made me love Community even more.

- Caroline Foss

I love Community because they teach in the best way for your needs. I can remember the things I learned in second grade because they teach in a way that we will remember all our lives instead of just for the test.

- Georgiana Von Kloha

I love Community because of all the friends that I have made and all the wonderful experiences, such as the sixth grade musical, the camping trip, going to the Cardinals game in JK, and when I made my three closest friends in fourth grade.

- Ethan Laycob

The teachers and staff are so kind and set time aside for each student. The teachers are not just interested in teaching us; they are also interested in getting to know us and creating bonds that last for a long time. You will not find better teachers than the ones at Community.

- Teddy Keller

What is your favorite memory of Community?

My first family group.

- Mack Evitts

The sixth grade musical with Rylan because we were MCs together.

- Blake Mattingly

When we collected books for the fifth grade book drive.

- Hadley Burgess

The sixth grade musical because of how much responsibility and all the choices we had.

- Jack Watters

My favorite memory was roasting marshmallows over the camp fire during the sixth grade camping trip.

- Chloe Lee

During the camping trip when our class went to a levee and lay down to watch the stars.

- Emery Burgess

I will remember singing at lunch in third grade and finally feeling like I belonged.

- Zahara Sharif-Jackson

A favorite memory of mine is from fourth grade when a hummingbird flew in the room on the first day of school.

- Rylan Harden

One of my favorite memories is the sixth grade camping trip when we went on the levee. We were silent and lay down to see the Milky Way and other stars above us.

- Reagan Anderson

I enjoyed the Advisory B morning meeting in sixth grade because we always got to have fun and be ourselves before school started.

-

Ainsley Long

My favorite memory is always being so early to woodshop that I would have to ask if we had class that day. Eventually when I came in, the teachers would say, “Yes, you have class today.”

- Georgiana Von Kloha

What are you going to miss most about Community?

My classmates and friends.

- Sadie Moore

I am going to miss everything. Our class is like my family; we are all so close.

- Sloane Silberman

The amazing teachers who care about our education and friends who make me happy.

- Jemma Edelstein

All of my friends that are going to different schools, and the campus.

- Annie Amos

The amazing food. Especially the great salad bar.

- Oliver Rhee

These last nine years have been the best. No other school will be like this.

-

Brody Jones

I am going to miss the people that surround me here at Community. They have made me the person I am now, and made a safe space that I feel comfortable in.

- Rani Orsay

The thing I will miss most is the family style lunches. They taught me to think of others during meals.

-

Zahara Sharif-Jackson

I will miss my teachers and friends.

- Mack Evitts

I am going to miss drama. It was so fun playing characters every year.

- Aiden Robinson

I am going to miss being a kid at Community, and everything about it. I will especially miss my homeroom teachers. They made me a better person.

- Grant Taylor

I am going to miss the happy environment. We all get along so well and feel like one big family. Everyone always challenges me to do my best.

-

Caroline Foss

Most of all I’m going to miss the people and the way we all have different personalities but they all come together to make one big amazing personality.

-

Ainsley Long

Just all the friendly people and the caring and nurturing environment that Community has. It feels like a home away from home.

- Teddy Keller

Give your best piece of advice for a younger student:

Hard work always pays off.

Just be yourself.

- Azam Bhutto

- Preston Townsend

Always study hard, don’t procrastinate, and turn in homework early.

- Blake Mattingly

Don’t fall behind on your reading goal or homework. It will come back to bite you!

- Lee Kirkpatrick

As Ms. Cadieux says, “Don’t stay stuck.”

- Sloane Silberman

My best piece of advice is to not procrastinate. Try and do your homework about 2 or 3 days before it’s due.

- Oliver Rhee

Always keep an open mind and step out of your comfort zone.

- Chloe Lee

My best piece of advice is to take advantage of all of the opportunities that Community provides.

- Emery Burgess

Always do your long-term projects early.

- Piper Davis

Sixth grade is going to be really fun. It’s my favorite year!

-

Be supportive, creative, and a leader.

Never fall behind on IXL!

Do your homework as soon as possible!

Frannie Varble

- Annie Amos

- Harold Lang

- Sadie Moore

Sixth grade is different than all the other grades because there is more homework and responsibility, but it has also been my favorite year.

-

Lana Loftis

My best piece of advice is to be open, happy, free, and to not be scared because Community is an amazing place.

- Chris Stevenson

Embrace every opportunity you are given.

- Rani Orsay

Be proactive and always go back and check your work.

- Rylan Harden

When you need help or have a question, don’t be afraid to ask.

- Samantha Burkhardt

Always do your homework, and be yourself. Then everything will come easier.

- Grant Taylor

I’d say keep up with your homework, and make your year pleasurable!

-

Jade Edelstein

Time flies when you’re having fun, so make the most if it.

- Reagan Anderson

What was your most interesting project or activity?

Playing on Community’s basketball team.

I enjoyed the Africa map and slideshow.

- Azam Bhutto

- Sadie Moore

The Invention Convention in fourth grade.

- Preston Townsend

Learning robotics in fourth and fifth grades.

- Hunter Wohlford

- Gus Lochhead

For me it was the medieval house that I made in fifth grade. It was a challenge and took time and care.

- Lee Kirkpatrick

When we had to do a scene from one of Shakespeare’s plays for our fifth grade play.

- Jack Watters

My Lego robotics project because it helped us be creative.

- Margot Todorovich

Creating and presenting our own TED Talk.

- Chloe Lee

My most interesting activity was playing on the Community soccer team. All of my teammates were energetic and delightful when we were on the field.

- Emery Burgess

One of the most interesting projects was in fourth grade when we made pizza because we were in our fraction unit, and I spent hours perfecting mine.

- Jemma Edelstein

I enjoyed our pond investigations in science class.

- Lana Loftis

Probably the fourth grade board game where we got to make our own board game and play it.

- Brody Jones

My most interesting and favorite project is probably my Lego robotics project because it was really fun to make with my partner and to experiment with different codes.

- Rani Orsay

I loved the sixth grade camping trip. It is a wonderful way to bring everyone together.

- Zahara Sharif-Jackson

My most interesting activity was in fifth grade when we went to J.A. Biztown and I got to be CFO for AT&T.

- Grant Taylor

The sixth grade bake sale! Our class gift was a new basketball hoop, and on the first day, we raised enough money for a luxury hoop. My advisory bonded over this, and we learned that teamwork is key.

- Caroline Foss

For me it was the service learning project for the unhoused. We did a project that kept our attention and was fun while also completing our goal to help people in St. Louis.

- Georgiana Von Kloha

My favorite project was in first grade when I had to make a project about an Australian snake and then make a model out of clay. I loved this because I knew nothing about snakes and wanted to know more.

- Ethan Laycob

When we would turn the sprinklers on in Nursery and have a beach day on the playground.

- Teddy Keller

What would you tell a family considering Community?

That it will be one of the best decisions of their life!

- Azam Bhutto

It is such a warm and welcoming place.

- Hunter Wohlford

It is a great school, and you get lots of love and support from the teachers and students.

- Gus Lochhead

Community School is all about pushing students in a positive way. I would not trade my time at Community for anything.

- Hadley Burgess

Community has a wonderful learning style that can be adapted for those who need it. It creates a safe, open environment for anyone and everyone.

- Lee Kirkpatrick

I would tell them this is a great school where your kid is going to shine.

- Jack Watters

Community is an amazing school. The teachers are always there to help, and you will meet so many great people. Also, everyone is very accepting. I know I won’t be judged.

- Sloane Silberman

Community is a great school because the education is amazing and everyone has fun every day of the week.

- Margot Todorovich

The teaching staff at Community School is so welcoming. They recognize your strengths and weaknesses and adjust to your needs.

- Oliver Rhee

Community is full of intelligent and independent students and amazing teachers, and I know your child would thrive here.

- Jemma Edelstein

Go here! It’s going to be like home for your entire family.

- Frannie Varble

It provides such a great learning environment for young children.

- Harold Lang

I would tell families that this is such a great opportunity to maximize your future.

-

Aiden Robinson

This school will be a good fit because it is diverse, welcoming, and has teachers who will always take the time to help your child.

-

Rylan Harden

Choose Community School because it is a home where you can do anything, take risks, and be yourself. Plus, it has a lot of P.E.

-

Grant Taylor

Community has great classes and amazing opportunities. For example, I got to compete in the spelling bee three times and created LEGO robotics projects for two years in a row in science!

- Jade Edelstein

I am so glad I came to Community. It has taught me to be myself. I came to Community super shy and now I am very confident with my classmates. Community taught me life skills that will last forever.

-

Caroline Foss

I would tell a family considering Community that it will help your child learn how to develop as a person and a friend.

- Ainsley Long

Definitely join! It will change your children’s lives.

- Reagan Anderson

This is a great school that really focuses on each child’s needs.

- Georgiana Von Kloha

This is an AMAZING school where you will learn how to be a kind person, a good athlete, and a smart student alongside lots of friends. Most of all, no matter how long you have at Community, you will always wish you had a longer time.

- Ethan Laycob

Community is a place for all children. It helps each child grow in the ways they need to grow and gives them many opportunities to try something new and improve on things they already know.

- Teddy Keller