WELCOME TO OUR 48TH YEAR AT SBMS
Dear SBMS Community,
For over 47 years, the Santa Barbara Middle School journey has begun with a Deal Meeting between the Head of School and every one of our students. Meeting in our Kiva, every student promises to “go with gratitude,” to give their full effort, be kind, and contribute something authentic to our school community during their time at SBMS. In return, SBMS promises to challenge, inspire, and guide each student on their journey of self-discovery and toward the realization of their unique gifts and potential. We promise to go the extra mile to see and understand each student deeply, forge meaningful relationships, and provide an environment where our students feel a sense of belonging and purpose. I am increasingly impressed and proud of the efforts of our students, staff, and community to honor and exceed the school’s “Deal” commitments.
Each summer, we choose a theme for the year ahead to help us fulfill our mission of “...cultivating in our students passion for life and life-long learning, a deep sense of trust in themselves, strength and courage to succeed at life’s challenges, and compassion and respect for others.” This year, I am delighted to announce our 2024-2025 school year theme, 'The Power of Story: Yours, Theirs, Ours.' This theme highlights the significance of storytelling in connecting people, shaping identities, and building communities. Through storytelling, we empower students to define their personal narrative. Listening to others' stories fosters a shared narrative and encourages connection, community, and legacy. Storytelling is a powerful tool that can transform individuals and societies. By understanding and sharing stories—whether they are our own, those of others, or shared narratives—we create meaning, foster connection, and build a better, more understanding world.
Ultimately, a Middle School student’s experience is a journey of self-discovery that prepares each student not just for the years of school ahead but to build lives of purpose, passion, and promise. We know well that these middle school years are a “messy business of becoming” and that they require courage, compassion, and community to elevate above the drama of the day to achieve lasting growth and real transformation.
On June 14th, 2024, our Middle School community gathered together again in Godric Grove to honor our 2024 graduating class in our unique and intimate Rites of Passage ceremony. We took our time listening to teachers, mentors, coaches, siblings, parents, and family members celebrate each student with words of wisdom, insightful anecdotes, and stories of triumph and personal achievements. Each presentation was similar to a three-minute Ted Talk, illuminating the journey of our children into adulthood. Individually, each honoring gave me renewed hope that these young adults have undergone an incredible transformation and are now prepared for much more than just the coming years of high school; they are poised to become catalysts for change and builders of their communities in the years ahead.
Throughout the year, our collective stories will undoubtedly be filled with magical moments where metamorphosis is seen in all its beauty. These moments inspire us and are the reason we love what we do here at Middle School.
With Gratitude and Hope,
Santa Barbara Middle School cultivates in our students passion for life and life-long learning, a deep sense of trust in themselves, strength and courage to succeed at life's challenges, and compassion and respect for others.
Santa Barbara Middle School ● 1321 Alameda Padre Serra ● Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Tel: 805-682-2989 ● office@sbms.org
Tel: 805-682-2989 ● office@sbms.org
