Our Wildwood, Volume 51

FEATURE Connecting Across Campuses

TWO CAMPUSES, BUT ONE WILDWOOD

and intentional—but it’s often the relational connections that students remember and cherish most,” Taylor said. In fact, Taylor’s fondest memories of her own experience as a student in a K-12 school were part of her inspiration for the program. “I’ll never forget being a brand new student in 3rd grade and going to an assembly where I was introduced to my senior sibling,” Taylor said. “I remember turning to her and thinking she was the absolute best, and I couldn’t wait to be just like her. At first, I thought she was just going to be my ‘sibling’ for the day, but when I learned it was for the whole year, I was overjoyed.”

Since the beginning of the school year, these monthly visits to the elementary campus by Wildwood seniors have been a highlight of campus life—both for elementary students and 12th graders alike. “I’ve been at Wildwood since kindergarten, and it’s been so much fun getting to come back to this campus and revisit all my classrooms and favorite teachers,” said Sam S. ‘24. “Senior year is a whirlwind, so it’s been a nice escape.”

Wildwood’s dual campuses means that students at elementary and middle and upper have their own learning spaces purposely designed for age-appropriate learning—but it also meant that Taylor and her elementary counterparts had to be much more intentional in designing Wildwood’s program. To overcome designated for Senior Siblings, with the Class of 2024 traveling to the elementary campus after dismissal. For Taylor, this added responsibility on the part of Wildwood seniors was part of the the separation of campuses, one afternoon per month was

It’s a common sentiment shared

by elementary “siblings” too.

“As a 4th grader, we’re usually among the oldest kids on campus, so it’s really cool to learn from the older students,” said Charley H.-D.

“The academic connections, as students build upon their learning each year, are the most obvious and intentional— but it’s often the relational connections that students remember and cherish most.” — TAYLOR STERN, UPPER SCHOOL DEAN OF STUDENTS

That feeling stayed with her through her eventual turn at being the senior sibling, and as a young alumna, it was one of the factors that helped maintain and strengthen her bond with her alma mater. “Depending on what year their elementary sibling is, this year’s seniors may have a ‘sibling’ connection for the next decade or more,” Taylor said. “Being able to come back to visit Wildwood and not only reconnect with teachers, but also current students, just adds to the richness of a K-12 experience. It’s a bond that doesn’t end at graduation.”

‘32. “It makes me look forward to upper school.” Classmate Arrow L. ‘32 agrees. “I’m the oldest in my family, and it’s just so much fun to have someone older around that you can look up to,” Arrow said. “My ‘sibling’ Max works really hard. He’s taught me so much.” These connections between grade levels are key benefits of a K-12 school, according to upper school dean of students Taylor Stern, who was integral in launching the program this year. “The academic connections, as students build upon their learning each year, are the most obvious

learning experience.

“The seniors learned quickly that the elementary students are counting on them and really look forward to spending time with them,” Taylor said. “Planning appropriately, arriving on time, and taking into account after school work schedules, etc., were all key skills that seniors developed over the course of the year—skills that will no doubt be useful as they head to college next year, too.” Wednesday afternoons are typically a free time for seniors, with many heading off to internships, jobs, or extracurricular activities after school, so the Senior Siblings

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