Middle School (age 12-15)

Our Middle School programme, for children aged 12-15, is designed to meet the unique needs of adolescents, who are active doers eager to discover their role in society. Balancing childhood and adulthood, students engage in seminars, debates, and real-world projects that connect them to the community, helping them uncover their passions and societal roles. Alongside their regular studies in math, science, and the humanities, they have opportunities to build furniture, cook meals, volunteer, and explore music and the arts, providing a well-rounded and meaningful educational experience.

Adolescents want to see and understand their own role in everything: they are active doers, not passive watchers or listeners. They want to discover their role in society but stand firmly with one foot still in childhood and the other in adulthood.

The Middle School programme uses these tendencies to give students the skills they desire with the information they need. Through seminars, debates, and real work that connects students to their community, they come to discover their passion and role in society.

In addition to their regular studies of math, science, and the humanities, students have opportunities to build furniture, cook lunch for themselves, volunteer at a local food bank, and explore music and the arts.

An Interconnected Tapestry: Every Transition and Graduation Celebration 2026

Long gone are the days when the entire community could gather under one roof to celebrate the transitions and graduations of our children. Instead we get to have a dozen celebrations. Last year, I likened it to a patchwork quilt but I think it’s closer to a tapestry with stories woven into each other, threads from one event sewn into another. As one of the few folks who attended every one of these events (along with James and Gel), I get to see the interconnectedness of the..

Jun 24

A Childhood Woven Into MST

After 14 remarkable years, Moka Kim graduates from Eucalyptus as the longest-attending student in MST’s history. Hundreds of classmates, six classrooms, 20 classroom teachers, and thousands of school days later, MST has been far more than a school to Moka—it has been the place where nearly her entire childhood unfolded. In many ways, her story is woven into the story of MST itself. Moka has long been someone who makes others feel welcome, included, and seen. In a school commu

Jun 23

Izu Oshima Odyssey: Seven Days of Tech-free Adventure

Middle School adventurers discovered that some of the most powerful learning happens outdoors—through challenge, collaboration, and shared experiences in nature. From sunrise birdsong to late-night campfire celebrations, the Izu Oshima Odyssey was a journey of adventure, friendship, and moments that turned into lifelong memories. From volcano hikes and island-wide bike rides to snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, Eucalyptus explorers embraced challenge, discovery, and unforge

Jun 22

An Evening of Music and Community

This year’s Instrumental Recital Night happened at Densho Hall, in the Shibuya Cultural Center. It was a very beautiful hall. The neatly rowed seats were cushioned on the back and studded with golden seat numbers on the top. The stage was lit from the center outwards giving the performer a kind of glow to them when they entered. Getting a chance to perform in such a beautiful hall really added to the night. Musical pieces included opera, Chinese traditional music, folk, rock,

May 13

Small Hands, Big Impact: Bringing the “Real” Forest Back to MST

The reforestation of the MST Garden has been a multi-year educational project that has involved collecting seaweed at a beach, gathering acorn in Arisugawa Park, bundling straw, conditioning the soil and finally planting native trees. The project has included the middle school adolescents on down to the Sunshine gardeners, as well as faculty and parents. Through all the lectures, demonstrations, research and hands-on experience MST may have the largest concentration of forest

Apr 16

Stillness and Reverence in the Borneo Jungle

For middle school guide Kartika Harsono, a journey deep into the Borneo rainforest becomes a powerful meditation on wonder, humility, and our connection to the natural world. One of the most memorable and awakening experiences of my life was a journey into the Borneo rainforest in Indonesia. The trip began in Jakarta and continued by plane to Pangkalan Bun in Central Borneo, the gateway to Tanjung Puting National Park. While the park is best known for its orangutans, made fa

Jan 29

- Maria Montessori