Middle School students, under the direction of Middle School Band Director Elizabeth Irvine, performed in the annual Middle School Band Concert on Thursday, May 9.

Dressed in enchanting costumes as foxes, ants, tortoises, purple grapes, stones and other animals or elements of nature, first grade students sang, acted, and narrated stories from Aesop’s Fables to the delight of family and friends in the Klein Lyceum on May 14, under the direction of Performing Arts teacher Ashleigh Cicconi.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

Associate Head of Lower School Zakaria Sherbiny shares methods for educating lower schoolers.

Seventh Graders conducted their annual stream study on Friday, May 10.

The McDonogh Jazz and Concert bands, under the direction of the Director of Instrumental Music Don New, performed during their annual spring concert on Tuesday, May 7.

McDonogh School third graders researched bus boycott activists and studied mentor texts to guide them in writing original poems about activists of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. On May 8, they presented their poems in the Klein Lyceum theatre.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

The Class of 2019 wanted to make sure they let their teachers know how much they are appreciated.

It is the last official day of classes for McDonogh seniors as they start work on their final senior projects. Before the Class of 2019 goes, the Women of Note and Gentleman Songsters wanted to say goodbye as only they can.

Students from all divisions perform in the annual Night of Percussion.

Young alumni were recognized for achievements and contributions which have positively impacted their profession, community, and/or McDonogh at the Young Alumni Awards on Friday, May 3.

The McDonogh Upper School Choral Ensembles, under the direction of Philip Olsen, Head of Choral Music, performed in their annual spring concert in the Tagart Memorial Chapel on May 5. The audience was treated to outstanding performances by The Concert Choir, The Senior Singers, The Women of Note, The Gentlemen Songsters, and the Foxleigh Hill Singers. Each senior choir member received a rose.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

In this delightful KinderGARTEN Bloom presentation on May 3, under the direction of Performing Arts teacher Beth Rausch, kindergarten students sang songs by Raffi for family and friends. As they sang, the students held sock puppets that they created and decorated in class.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

Second grade students performed skits they wrote based on lessons they learned in their "Learning for Living" readings and discussions. This presentation took place in the Klein Lyceum on May 2.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

Musicians from all three divisions, under the direction of the Director of Strings Catherine Frey, performing in their annual spring concert on Tuesday, April 30.

Take in the sights and sounds from Art Pop Up Day 2019.

Sights and sounds from the annual Sixth Grade Triathlon.

The McDonogh Gospel Choir performed on Sunday, April 28.

McDonogh’s Learning for Living program emphasizes themes that are rooted in giving students the social and emotional skills to do the greatest amount of good. April’s theme was Understanding Global Citizenship with a goal to expose lower school students to the world’s different cultures and raise their global awareness in the hope that it expands their minds, and makes them more empathetic to people from all walks of life.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

The Lower School's annual Adventure with the Arts day on Thursday, April 18 took students and families on a colorful journey of music and art. This video highlights the musical performance and artwork presented by prekindergarten through second grade students.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

The Lower School's annual Adventure with the Arts day on Thursday, April 18 took students and families on a colorful journey of music and art. This video highlights the musical performance and artwork presented by third grade students.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

The Lower School's annual Adventure with the Arts day on Thursday, April 18 took students and families on a colorful journey of music and art. This video highlights the musical performance and artwork presented by fourth grade students.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

Tait Thorne '19 delivers the student speech at the annual Scholarship Luncheon.

Katherine Reynolds Lewis is an award-winning independent journalist, author and speaker based in the Washington D.C. area. Her book, The Good News About Bad Behavior (PublicAffairs, April 2018), explains why modern kids are so undisciplined and tells the stories of innovators who are rebuilding lost self-control, resolving family conflict and changing the trajectory of young lives. Katherine is a certified parent educator with the Parent Encouragement Program in Kensington, Md.

First Grade students learned many amazing facts about bees! In a nature based learning trip to Roots, they met with Farmer Hood and planted tomato plants to attract bumble bees to the garden. Following this visit, the students designed bee posters, painted bees on rocks, and created craft bees for a mural to hang in Elderkin Hall.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.
Additional photos by Jill Alperstein, Jeri Goodman, Renee Norona, and Amy Stanziale

Hundreds of students, from all three divisions, and their families gathered in Paterakis Hall on Friday, March 29, to celebrate McDonogh’s Multicultural Night. Guests enjoyed a variety of foods from all over the world, as well as traditional songs, dances, and performances that have shaped the lives of the McDonogh community. Watch the performances here.

Stacey Boyer '76 recounts how she became the first female student to graduate from McDonogh.

McDonogh’s Learning for Living program emphasizes themes that are rooted in giving students the social and emotional skills to do the greatest amount of good. March’s theme was Resolving Conflict and Forgiveness with a goal to help students learn problem-solving skills, nurture kindness and consideration of others, and promote cooperation.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.
First grade video contributions by Renee Norona.

Fourth grade students and eighth grade leadership representatives collaborated on the writing, directing, and scoring of four innovative plays based on poems by Shel Silverstein, including The Mungry Disaster, Take the Trash Out, I am Sick!, and Stuck Shut. They were presented to delighted parents and students on Thursday, March 14 in the Klein Lyceum.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

The 6th, 7th, and 8th graders performed their spring Broadway and Pops Concert in the Ceres M. Horn Theater on Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The performances, including groups and solos, were led by Suzi Eldridge, the Middle School Vocal Director. They included selections from Coldplay, the soundtrack of The Greatest Showman, and ended with a rousing rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, accompanied by the Rock Shop Band.

The prekindergarten classes performed their “Three Piggy Opera” on Friday, March 8 under the direction of Lower School performing arts teacher Ashleigh Cicconi. Students played the roles of peddlers, wolves, and pigs in this delightful musical version of the “Three Little Pigs” story. Upper School students Katie B., Daniel K., and Jacob R. assisted in the performance.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

See snippets of McDonogh’s Seventh Annual Vocal Residency Concert held on Sunday, March 10 in the Ceres M. Horn Theatre. The concert was the culmination of the residency, during which mezzo-soprano Augusta Caso ’05 worked with 25 student participants over three days. This was Caso’s second year leading the residency. In addition to student solos, Caso performed a piece from La Favorita as well as a piece with tenor Victor Starsky, and one with McDonogh’s Concert Choir.

The Middle School Teachers performed in the Faculty Follies Show on March 5, 2019 as a fundraiser for the McDonogh Singers trips. It was organizaed by Suzi Eldridge and together with Jon Aaron they introduced many talented acts: from amazing music performances to dancers from a galaxy far, far, away. It was a wonderful evening of celebration and fun!
Video coverage by Josh Waller and Lizza Irvine.

McDonogh’s “Learning for Living” program emphasizes themes that are rooted in giving students the social and emotional skills to do the greatest amount of good. February’s theme was “Embracing Diversity,” with a goal to help students identify and take pride in their individuality within the community.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

As part of the "Eagle Entertainers Project," under the direction of Lower School Performing Arts teacher Ashleigh Cicconi, second grade students sang songs for residents in community nursing homes and learned that music is loved by people of all ages and cultures.
Video coverage by Ashleigh Cicconi and Cindy Green.
Additional video and photos by Bridget Collins, Mary Beth Kuchno and Margaret Bitz.

Ashton Hung '20 attempted to give the entire Upper School a piano lesson during an assembly on Friday, February 22. Once Jacob Rose '20 got into the act, it quickly became a game of dueling pianos, with the pair running through a selection of modern and classical tunes.

During the annual Well Well Well Concert, Cole W. '23, Will K. '23, Bella G. '23, Chris S. '23, and the Seventh Grade Choir performed "Bohemian Rhapsody."

Fourth graders had a chance to get their goggles on and their hands dirty on Friday, February 22 as they disassembled over 80 pieces of mechanical or electronic equipment. Scheduled at the conclusion of their science unit on simple machines, the students armed with screwdrivers and other tools, dismantled a variety of appliances, cameras, phones, computers, and printers. Working together they gained hands-on experience and discovered that many complex machines are powered by simple machines.

The Gentlemen Songsters and the Women of Note spread the love through song on Thursday, February 14, 2019. Singing telegrams are one of McDonogh's sweetest Valentine's Day traditions.

Happy Valentine's Day from the Lower School.

McDonogh’s “Learning for Living” program emphasizes themes that are rooted in giving students the social and emotional skills to do the greatest amount of good. January’s theme was “Developing Empathy” with a goal to help students learn to understand and share the feelings of another or to "put oneself in someone else’s shoes."
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

The McDonogh String Ensembles, under the direction of Catherine Frey, performed their winter concert on January 14, in the Tagert Chapel. Students from 5th through 12th grades performed a wide selection of pieces and thrilled the audience with their skills and musicality playing music from the renaissance to today. It was a wonderful evening of music!
Video coverage by Elizabeth Irvine.

Middle School Academy

The Lower School’s “Celebrate Peace and Love” performance on Thursday, December 20 for second, third, and fourth grades was a celebration of the magic of the season with songs, movement, storytelling and instrumental music. The performances were directed by Lower School Performing Arts teachers Beth Rausch and Ashleigh Cicconi.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

The Lower School's “Celebrate Peace and Love” performance on Thursday, December 20 for prekindergarten, kindergarten, prefirst, and first grades was a celebration of the magic of the season with songs, movement, storytelling and instrumental music. The performances were directed by Lower School Performing Arts teachers Beth Rausch and Ashleigh Cicconi.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

The McDonogh Middle School Bands, under the direction of Elizabeth Irvine, performed their winter concert on December 13 in the Ceres M. Horn Theatre. The Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced students performed a variety of selections, showing off the skills they learned over the course of the school year so far. It was a celebratory time for all!
Video coverage by Don New.

Three large U-Haul trucks were loaded to capacity with gifts as the final step of the all-school Holiday Project on Tuesday, December 18. Students, parents, faculty and staff from PK through 12 grade donated gifts so that 144 families can have a joyous holiday season. Middle and upper school students helped load the trucks that then headed to St. Gregory's church in Sandtown-Winchester, where the gifts will be dispensed to 441 children, making their holidays a little brighter.

Sights and sounds from the 2018 Holiday Assembly.

The McDonogh Upper School Jazz Band and Concert Band treated their audience to a spectacular winter concert in the Ceres M. Horn Theatre on December 11. Both bands are under the direction of Don New, Director of Upper School Instrumental Music.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

The McDonogh Upper School Choral Ensembles, under the direction of Philip Olsen, Head of Choral Music, performed in their annual winter concert in the Tagart Memorial Chapel on December 9. The audience was treated to outstanding performances by The Concert Choir, The Senior Singers, The Women of Note and The Gentleman Songsters.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

McDonogh’s “Learning for Living” program emphasizes themes that are rooted in giving students the social and emotional skills to do the greatest amount of good. November’s theme was “Expressing Gratitude” with a goal to help students learn about ways to express thankfulness and appreciation.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

It was a grand day in the Lower School as students shared their joy with those they are most thankful for at Grandparent's Day on Tuesday, November 20. Together, they read stories, worked on art projects, and conducted science experiments, which allowed the two generations to learn more about each other.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

Rights Week is a wonderful opportunity for students in the Lower School to learn about the rights of specific individuals and groups through hands-on activities. Extra video coverage by Cindy Green.

At the annual Lower School Hope and Courage Chapel, held Friday, November 9, third grade students reflected on hope and courage and presented hand-tied blankets to the Red Devils, an organization that provides support to breast cancer patients.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

Watch McDonogh's spirit shine during the parade and pep rally on Spirit Day 2018!

On Wednesday, October 31, Lower School students donned creative costumes and paraded around campus delighting parents and spectators.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

On Wednesday, October 31, Lower School students donned creative costumes and celebrated Halloween with an annual Lower School Halloween Assembly.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

Thank you to Ms. Collins for producing another great Spirit Week video!

October's theme in the Lower School's Learning for Living program was "Advocating for Self and Others."
Video coverage by Cindy Green.
Prekindergarten video contributions by Heather Quinn
Second grade video contributions by Kate Hailstone

McDonogh provides students with countless opportunities to find joy in learning.

Students in the Lower School practice mindfulness, September’s theme in the Learning for Living program. Mrs. Mecca's fourth grade class sings "Don't Worry, Be Happy" in the soundtrack.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.
Photo contributions by Beckie Lamborn.

George, the robot created by McDonogh’s Upper School Robotics team, had the honor of “cutting” the ribbon to officially open the Fader Innovation Center, a 7,000-square-foot academic building that houses McDonogh’s burgeoning robotics and engineering programs. The ribbon cutting took place on Wednesday, September 12 at a ceremony attended by the Upper School student body, faculty, staff and generous donors to the project.

Lower School students express their hopes and dreams for the new school year.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

Students and faculty gathered on Childs Memorial Terrace for Convocation on Wednesday, August 29. At the conclusion of the program, Headmaster Dave Farace rang the school bell to officially open the 2018-2019 school year.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.