Winter 2024

The advancement team focuses on fundraising, donor relations, alumni engagement, marketing, and overall institutional growth…we “advance” the mission of the school! Advancement enthusiastically welcomed Abigail Cook to our team as admissions counselor. Ms. Cook is ordained through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and has completed leadership training with the Kansas Leadership Center. Her dream for EMS…

Four strategic pathways guide us closer to the vision of EMS. CULTURE: Who we are together, and how we care for each other. EMS seeks to foster a learning community where every student feels a sense of belonging through internal efforts to create a welcoming and safe environment. Strengths include personalized relationships, dedicated time for…

Teachers Maria Lorcas, Nick Gardner, and Jared Stutzman have built on the program crafted by previous music directors. The school’s leadership strategically prioritized these programs, ensuring that every middle school student has daily, year-round engagement with music. Many students take string classes at EMS in grades 6-12, and some also participate in string ensembles and…

Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) honored Maria Archer, k-5 principal, and Jesse Blosser, head of the math department, with the 2023 Innovation in Education award. We want to thank them for their remarkable contributions to education. As the founding principal at EMES, Maria Archer’s innovative leadership has transformed the early childhood division, emphasizing experiential…

As the school year reaches its midpoint, 6th grade students at EMS discover a profound sense of community beyond academics. Guided by the dynamic duo of Mr. Martin and Ms. Huyard, 6th grade serves as a nurturing space, providing belonging and support during the pivotal transition from elementary to middle school – one that many…

Over the past 18 months our dedicated staff worked diligently towards EMS’s 10-year accreditation renewal with the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) visiting team. As part of this process and through a community survey in 2022, we affirmed and updated our vision and mission, and crafted a new dynamic strategic plan! Nancy Foy, the…