May Term

May Term at MKA serves as the final stop in seniors’ ethical leadership journey at MKA. Six May Term programs – Community Engagement, Creative Inquiry, Teaching Internships, Internships, Global Experience, and Startup 101 – provide transformative experiences that bridge the gap between self-discovery and positive social impact.

Every May Term experience is driven by a purposeful guiding question; is developed in partnership with a mentor; is intentionally designed to positively impact a defined audience; and is anchored in three critical questions:

Who am I and who am I hoping to become?

May Term fosters self-reflection and personal growth, asking students to apply deep understanding of their values, strengths, and aspirations as emerging leaders.

What does it mean to be a member of a community?

Each program emphasizes the importance of community impact and audience, fostering a sense of responsibility and understanding of interconnectedness.

How am I contributing? How am I serving as a leader?

Through authentic, hands-on experiences, students translate their values into action, developing the necessary skills and confidence to become ethical leaders who drive positive change in the world.

May Term reflects MKA’s highest aspirations for each graduating class: it offers students some of the freedom they will experience in the future, encourages them to pursue a passion, asks them to take responsibility for their own learning, and empowers them to purposefully engage with the world.

Community Engagement

Seniors partner with a local organization; develop a deeper understanding of community needs; take positive action; and reflect on the impact of their work.

Creative Inquiry

Seniors collaborate with a faculty member to develop and investigate a question of their own curiosity and passion. Drawing on interests developed throughout their MKA journey, students' project design requires them to intentionally define their intended audience for whom their work will achieve a real, positive impact

Global Experience

Seniors investigate a pressing global issue through project-based travel and bring back that knowledge to apply in their lives and communities. Examples include looking at how we define wellness in Ikaria, Greece or how we might be more intentional and human-centered via city planning in Scandinavia.

Internships

Seniors work alongside a mentor in a partner organization or business. As they are immersed in the day-to-day of work life in a particular field, they’re provided a unique vantage point and opportunity to “try on” a potential career path.

Startup 101

Seniors interested in entrepreneurship work with a mentor (and each other) to develop a rapid product or service. After the 30 days of May Term, their work will culminate in either a “friends and family” investment proposal, a public crowdfunding campaign, or, if ready, a pitch to investors.

Teaching Internships

Seniors immerse themselves in an MKA Middle School classroom or in a Primary School grade level team to work side-by-side with MKA teachers. Seniors grow their understanding of the art of teaching, learning a range of teaching skills, from the logistical to the curricular to the interpersonal.

May Term is best used to see the world as it is, to participate vigorously and joyfully in that world, and ultimately, to change that world for the better.

Jill MazaAssistant Head of Upper School