Learning Beyond the Classroom

At Merdinian there are many opportunities for students to distinguish themselves as leaders. Participation in the student council, academic teams, clubs, athletic teams, performing arts and other co-curricular activities can and do help our students build leadership skills that last a lifetime.

We expect all students to be leaders at Merdinian, whether they have a title or not. When students lead, they are fully living and embracing the mission of the School.
 
Developing Leaders and Changemakers
The Middle School years are a dynamic time of growth across every dimension. Is it our hope that through genuine experiences outside the traditional classroom, students will learn how to create the conditions of civil community, solve their own problems, and engage in moral decision-making, the cornerstones of good character. Through the Middle School Leadership Retreat, we focus on teaching these important skills so they can positively impact our school, community, church, and homeland.
 
Transforming into Global Citizens
Merdinian strives to graduate young people who are ready to be informed, principled and courageous global citizens. Therefore, domestic and international trips are an integral part of the curriculum and the ideal complement to the classroom experience. The trips open students’ eyes, and they assimilate a new way of living and looking at the world. These exchanges, immersions and cultural encounters are designed to go beyond cursory “tourist” tokenism, to deepen our student's understanding of the rich history of the United States, the Armenian communities of the U.S., and the homeland. Previous trips have included Fresno, Sacramento, Washington D.C. and Armenia.
Access to W3Schools Plus for Education (7th and 8th Grade)
Our 7th and 8th-grade students now have exclusive access to W3Schools Plus, an industry-leading platform for web development and programming. With this premium access, students can explore hands-on coding and web development in dedicated, ad-free spaces designed for their learning. They will gain practical skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more, which are critical for the digital age. This opportunity not only enhances their technical knowledge but also fosters problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. By integrating technology education into their curriculum, we empower our students to become innovators in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

7th Grade utilizes W3's curriculum for HTML and CSS, for web development.
8th Grade utilizes W3's curriculum for Java, for intro to computer science.

Students have access to the Curriculum, Practice Questions, Coding Challenges, and Certification Exams for over 20 computer languages available on W3Schools platform.