The Place Where You Live: Student Reflection - Midland School

The Place Where You Live

Zoe '23 reflects on her sense of place

Fall 2020

Based on The Place Where You Live Project by Orion Magazine. Written for World Literature, taught by John Isaacson ’94

As you drive towards the small rustic bridge, you can see the horses grazing to your right, to the left is a farm full of fresh fruits and vegetables. In the fall, students help to harvest the tomatoes, strawberries, watermelon, and many more foods. It’s easy to think back to when you were there harvesting those vegetables with your friends almost a year ago. The fields are still full of plants, but there aren’t any students to harvest them. It’s left to the director of the farm and his assistant now to do all of the tasks that the students used to.

Walking through Middle Yard, where all the classrooms are located, the students bustled around, trying to make toast before their next class. Stillman, the dining hall, where staff and students alike ate dinner together. Laughter and either “Tongue Tied” or “Promiscuous” could be heard from dish house as the students did their part in taking care of the community. Now Middle Yard is empty. No students, maybe the occasional faculty member walking outside for a break from wearing a mask. Stillman is covered in dust and cobwebs, the tables pushed to the sides because they aren’t in use.

The school of making fires to have hot showers. The school where students do the work that maintenance staff would normally do. The school where you sleep in a cabin with your roommate. The school where you can bring your dog with you. The school filled with laughter from its amazing faculty and students. The school that now stands empty.

Student faces and personalities are replaced with squares on a screen. Faculty who live together can no longer meet as one but instead sometimes talk from a distance. They are replaced with endless dust and cobwebs that cover every classroom, cabin, and community space. When will they come back?

By Zoe ’23

Interested in Becoming a Midlander?

Apply Today

Continue exploring Midland stories View all

Outdoor Leadership Highlight: Sisquoc Trip

Ayanna '24 reflects on thirty miles and five days filled with memories

Real Talk: No Cell Phones?

What it's really like to trade in your cell phone for your high school experience

Tips on Living Away From Home

Setting yourself up for success at boarding school

Grass Mountain Day: A Senior’s Reflection

Reflections on a Midland rite of passage

It's Okay

Feeling uncertain and normalizing uncertainty

Real Talk: Sports

All about athletics at Midland

Three Principles I Learned About Life from Midland

I came to Midland because otherwise I would be sitting in a class with forty other kids wondering what I could’ve been doing here; throwing a plate in ceramics, hiking with friends, riding a horse...

Gentling a Wild Mustang

A Senior Project unlike any other

Lise Goddard's Legacy

Celebrating our beloved departing Dean of Studies

Real Talk: Cabin Life

Take a video tour of our living areas and hear all about cabin life

Cosby Award Winner Robin '24 Explores Culture and Language in Panama

Considering one’s view of life as a whole, I learned a lot more about how to just go with the flow and not stress the little details. Even with jobs there, things are in a constant state of motion.

Cosby Award Winner Cathy '24 Studies the Art of Perfumery in France

We learned about the three main types of perfume. These are called accords. The first type is chypre. Feminine perfumes tend to be based on this accord. The second type is called fougère - masculine fragrances tend to be based on fougeres. The last one is called amber oriental, this can be feminine or masculine and is more of a warmer fragrance.

On Horsemanship and Student Leadership: Interview with Emma '23

I came into grade 9 knowing I was a pretty independent person. I could have responsibilities and be able to handle it. I‘ve been able to grow into that and grow more that part of myself. I learned how to balance work responsibilities with academic responsibilities and being a role model and leader for other students.

The Power of Persuasion - Student Writing Brings Ceramics Monthly to Midland

Student writing is so much more meaningful when it has a real audience and can affect change. Read this student persuasive essay to see how Lyssa '26 made a case.

Class of '68 Wilderness Fund Award for Midland Students

Funded by the generosity of Midland's Class of 1968

Class of '68 Wilderness Fund Award for Midland Students

Funded by the generosity of Midland's Class of 1968

Cosby Summer Program Award for Midland Juniors

Funded by the generosity of Midland alumnus and former trustee, Jim Cosby '63

Program Highlight: Hardlucks

Out after dinner, back before breakfast

Real Talk: Jobs

A look into how our Jobs Program builds community

The Place Where You Live: Midland School

Based on The Place Where You Live Project by Orion Magazine, written for World Literature, taught by John Isaacson '94

Real Talk: Half Holidays & Free Time

A Midland Win: Pride in a Job Well Done

Our teams may not win sets or make baskets, but that’s because we have a more elusive goal

NOLS Horsepacking Adventure

Maddy ’21 reflects on her Class of 1968 Wilderness Fund Experience

Graduation 2021: Junior Class Speaker Ben '22

Reflections on lessons from the class of 2021

Graduation 2021: Senior Class Speaker Will Goddard

From minnows cast into the ocean to fish headed out into the world beyond Midland

Continue exploring the Midland experience

Our Stories

Midlanders in their own words

Read more

Experiential & Place-based Education

Our rigorous college-preparatory academic model

Read more

Authentic Community

Unplugged and connected

Read more