Mapping Out the MST High School

Welcome to a new school year! My name is Andrew Faulstich, and I am the Upper Secondary (High School) Development Coordinator here at MST. I spent the week before school began on campus getting to know our faculty, staff, and families as we prepare to start our high school program. I'm excited to share the outcomes of the staff Upper Secondary visioning session and invite you to be part of the next phase of our journey.

What Emerged from Our Staff Week Collaboration

During our dedicated staff week, our entire MST team came together to envision how the Upper Secondary program should build upon the foundation that makes MST so special. Through deep, collaborative discussions, we developed a framework that includes our program vision, a detailed pathway for learner experiences, and a clear vision for the human potential we aim to cultivate.

Our Program Vision & Mission 

The staff articulated a clear vision for older adolescents engaging in authentic adult-level work that bridges local engagement in Tokyo with global citizenship development. We see students developing into confident communicators, culturally responsive global citizens, resilient problem-solvers, passionate change agents, and emotionally intelligent collaborators through meaningful partnerships, residential experiences, and entrepreneurial ventures.

Pathway of a Learner

We also mapped out the adult-like experiences that will empower older adolescents to grow into global changemakers. This includes community-embedded engagement through internships and meaningful volunteer work, authentic local and global citizenship development, and experiences that build adaptability, resilience, and healthy risk-taking in safe but challenging environments.

Vision for Human Potential

Our staff also articulated the learning outcomes, life skills, and character qualities that MST Upper Secondary graduates should embody. We envision graduates who are confident communicators across languages and cultures, culturally responsive global citizens who bridge differences with compassion, resilient problem-solvers who maintain adaptability in constant change, passionate change agents who pursue purpose-driven work, and emotionally intelligent collaborators who create inclusive communities.

Our Foundation for Community

Perhaps most importantly, our staff deeply examined what aspects of MST's current culture, values, and practices should be preserved and what needs to be added. The discussions revealed unanimous commitment to maintaining MST's three pillars - confidence, respect, and compassion - while expanding our reach to include greater community integration and authentic preparation for adult life.

What This Means Moving Forward

These collaborative discussions have given us a solid foundation to build upon, but we know that the most important voices - yours as families - need to be part of shaping this program. The staff week outcomes represent our professional commitment to educational excellence, but your insights about family needs, student interests, and community connections are essential for creating a program that truly serves our adolescents.

High School Visioning Session - Your Voice Matters!

There will be a High School Visioning Session in November where we'll share these foundational documents in detail and invite your partnership in evolving the Upper Secondary program. This will be your opportunity to:

• Engage with the vision and foundation our staff has articulated

• Share your family's hopes for a transformational high school education

• Contribute ideas about community partnerships and opportunities

• Connect with other families interested in this educational journey

The energy and collaborative spirit that emerged during staff week reinforced my conviction that we're creating something truly special: an Upper Secondary program that honors Montessori principles while preparing students for the unique opportunities of emerging adulthood in Tokyo's international community.

In the meantime, if you have specific areas of expertise that would benefit our team as we build this program, please fill out this form!

I'm deeply grateful for the collaborative spirit of our MST community - from our dedicated staff who brought such thoughtfulness to these discussions, to families like yours who continue to support this vision for adolescent education that goes far beyond traditional schooling.

More details about the Visioning Session will follow soon. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at andrew@montessorijapan.com with any questions or thoughts.

In partnership,

Andrew Faulstich

Upper Secondary Development Coordinator