Learning That Goes Beyond the Surface at Morganton Day School

At Morganton Day School, exceptional education is much more than mastering content. It inspires curiosity, nurtures critical thinking, and empowers students to apply what they learn in meaningful, real-world ways. Through our IB curriculum, students dig deep, ask thoughtful questions, and connect classroom experiences to life beyond our campus.

A wonderful example of this is found in our third-grade economics Unit of Inquiry. Rather than simply reading about economic concepts, students experience them firsthand. They use math skills as they track income and expenses in personal checkbooks, explore saving and credit, and learn to recognize the pitfalls of “get-rich-quick” schemes through an ongoing classroom store. To further deepen their understanding, local small business owners visit the classroom to share their experiences as entrepreneurs. The unit culminates with the annual Market Day where our 3rd-grade students become entrepreneurs themselves, opening their own stores for the entire MDS campus. The excitement, confidence, and pride students display during this experience perfectly capture the joy of authentic learning. Check out the highlight video here.

Another example of a rigorous and deeply engaging instruction was recently highlighted in The Paper. As part of the People of Morganton project, students conducted interviews with local residents to explore their perspectives on Morganton’s past, present, and future. Their work was recently submitted and accepted for presentation at the Appalachian Studies Conference at Marshall University, an impressive testament to both the rigor and relevance of their learning.

Long-time Morganton resident Mr. VanNoppen reflected on the project, sharing:

“Morganton Day School’s impressive project is an important step in capturing and preserving the stories that have shaped Morganton. The strategy to include multiple forms of media, print, digital, video, and even live performances, helps ensure that Morganton’s history will be enjoyed for generations.”

These are just two examples of how the MDS IB curriculum fosters meaningful, high-quality learning experiences. Across every grade level, our teachers and students place tremendous value on meaningful instruction, creativity, and real-world application. The result is a school where the excitement of learning is palpable and where students are prepared not just for the next grade level, but for life beyond the classroom.

At MDS, we are proud of our dedication to exceptional education and grateful for a community that believes deeply in the power of learning done well.

Learning for a lifetime,
Dr. Mikusa
Head of School