Cross country is a popular middle school choice, with teams offered at every SA middle school across the network. Many SA scholars have been running since elementary school, and many of them are outstanding athletes across multiple sports. Midtown West Coach Sean Young writes about how neither the pressure of defending the boys’ title, nor the intimidation of being a newly-established girls team, got in the way of his team’s focus, determination, and complete commitment to a try-and-try mindset.

This school year, my husband and I have spent many weekends supporting our son Henry as he debates topics like the Cuban trade embargo and immigration at middle school debate tournaments around NYC.

Honing scholar’s natural curiosity for the world around them is the best way for them to become great scientific thinkers.