A Purposeful Summer

Life Goals

This past year, some students have started hearing about the five goals that we have for all MCS students. They are not just goals for students, they are ones that MCS faculty, staff, and administration have for our own lives:

  1. Transformed by the Gospel: Have an intimate, personal, growing relationship with Christ.
  2. Love the True, Good, and Beautiful: Love the right things. (You can train yourself to love things that are worth loving.)
  3. Delight in Learning: Take delight in growing and gaining wisdom & virtue.
  4. Serve Sacrificially: Put others above yourself and your own desires.
  5. Prepare to Redeem Culture: Become ready to confront and engage with the culture.

What can you do this summer to work toward these goals?

A Purposeful Summer 

As you prepare for some much-needed rest and change of pace for the summer, I want to encourage you to spend your time wisely -- pursuing things that are worthwhile. Have some leisure time, yes, but let that not be the majority of your summer. Carve out large portions of each day that are screen-free. You will see this have a positive effect on attitude, improved creativity, and a developing taste for better things. Here are few suggestions about how to be productive this summer:

Service – 

  • Summer is a great opportunity to serve, and for our students, to start earning their required service hours. Do odd jobs for neighbors and friends, volunteer at your local library or food pantry, or serve at your church. 
  • MCS students are required to earn the following service hours:
    • 7th Grade: 10 hours
    • 8th Grade: 10 hours
    • 9th Grade: 10 hours
    • 10th Grade: 20 hours
    • 11th Grade: 30 hours
    • 12th Grade: 40 hours

Reading – 

  • As a school, we want you to love good books. Summer is a great time to read just for the mere enjoyment of a good book or to learn something more about what you've been learning about this past year. Carve out some time to read each day.
  • Audiobooks are also an excellent way to encounter great books. If you have a Columbus Metropolitan Library Card, you may be able to find audiobook or e-book versions of our recommended selections using the free Libby and Hoopla Apps.
Recommended Reading by Grade:
  • 9th Grade will be studying American History:
    • "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" by Frederick Douglass
    • "Letter from Birmingham Jail" by MLK Jr.
    • "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
    • "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" by Mark Twain
    • "The Autobiography and Other Writings" by Benjamin Franklin
  • 10th Grade will be studying Ancient History:
    • "Mythology" by Edith Hamilton (this one is highly recommended by Mr. Harris & Mrs. Johnson)
    • "The Reason for God" by Tim Keller
    • "Till We Have Faces" - C.S. Lewis
  • 11th Grade will be studying Medieval History:
    • "The Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis
    • "The Consolation of Philosophy" by Boethius
    • "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis
    • "The Lord of the Rings Trilogy" by J.R.R. Tolkien
    • "Dead Wake" by Eric Larson (required for AP)
    • "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury (required for AP)
    • "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White (required for AP)
  • 12th Grade will be studying Modern History:
    • "The Pilgrim’s Progress" by John Bunyan
    • "Animal Farm" by George Orwell
    • "Tortured for Christ" by Richard Wurmbrand
    • "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" by Alexander Solzhenitsyn
    • "Total Truth" by Nancy Pearcey
    • "Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery" by Eric Metaxas
    • "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini (required for AP)
    • "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles (required for AP)
    • "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White (for first-time AP students)

Planning – 

  • Our students have the opportunity to go on the below trips, so it would be prudent to start planning and saving for them:
    • 9th Grade - Washington D.C.
    • 10th Grade - New River Gorge
    • 11th Grade – Start saving for your Senior Trip. (The Senior Trip is a significant cost commitment, so we keep your Junior Trip local and cheaper.)
    • 12th Grade – Out West: Arizona, Nevada, Utah (The Grand Canyon & Zion National Park)
    • Some of our students may be too young for most places to hire, but that doesn't mean they can't get inventive. Offer lawn mowing, garden watering, or babysitting services to your friends and neighbors.
  • Start exploring schools and options for your next steps after high school. Pray about what the Lord would have you do after graduation -- college, trade school, military, mission field, etc. Volunteer, shadow, or intern at some different jobs to see where God might be leading you.

Exercise – 

  • Go explore the great outdoors and check out some of Ohio’s State Parks. 
  • Planet Fitness offers free gym memberships for students during the summer.