The Nexus of Greatness

Just as the physical walls of Liberty Common Junior High School’s second phase of expansion have risen this year—already laden with great expectations of academic achievement, athletic excellence, and virtuous character development within those very walls—so, too, this year’s LCJHS students have been asked to rise to meet ever-greater expectations and standards.  I have had the pleasure of watching students not only rise to meet those expectations, but surpass them.  This year has been a defining moment for Liberty's seventh- and eighth-grade students.  They have shaped the future of the junior-high campus by being the first to attend independently of the elementary and high-school campuses.

There are many reasons for the success of LCJHS students.  First and foremost are the students themselves.  LCJHS students understand the importance of what we do here.  They understand that every minute they spend within the halls of our building matters in forming them into the people their parents desire for them to be.  This trait is what I admire so much about LCS students—they truly desire to be great—to be great friends, great students, great athletes, great academics; but overall, great people.

This desire for greatness is instilled in Liberty students from the very beginning.  The LCS elementary program – both its campuses – has laid the strong foundation enabling junior-high students to come to a brand-new building and impress their stamp positively upon its future.  It is through the joint effort of the school’s employment of the Core Knowledge curriculum, the Foundation Stones, the teachers, teacher assistants in the classrooms, the staff in the building, and the support of parents at home that builds these young children up to be maturing adolescents.

At the junior high, I am presented with quotidian moments allowing me to see the fruits of the labor of the elementary campuses.  Whether it is in the celebration of a victory or in the depths of a difficult conversation about making hard choices or in the weeds of Latin noun declensions or linear equations, I see our students becoming better versions of themselves.  They are humble in their successes, openminded and receptive to learning about character, and determined to overcome every hurdle.

I view the junior high as a nexus of our four campuses, a nexus of the greatness of our school.  Elementary students flourish into capable teens as they leave our doors, prepared for the opportunities and challenges the high school presents.  They have explored our Capstone Virtues in their Orders, developed deep understanding of a breadth of content areas, and—for many—started a path of leadership.  These skills and qualities are further developed and expanded upon at the high school where more maturity, responsibility, creativity, reflection, and introspection is taught and expected.

I implore you, next time you drive past the walls of the junior high, consider what greatness has already been accomplished in the minds of our children and what greatness has yet to come.