Mackintosh Academy - Boulder, a K-8 International Baccalaureate World School, is a place where bright and curious children dive into learning that challenges their minds and nurtures their hearts. Here, kids are not only stretched academically but supported as they grow into themselves - socially, emotionally, and as members of a larger world. With Keen Minds, Compassionate Hearts, and Global Action as guiding tenets, Mack helps students discover who they are and how they can make a difference.
When I first stepped onto campus, meeting teachers, chatting with students, and soaking in the energy of the classrooms and outdoor spaces, I quickly realized that this story isn’t mine to tell. The best way to capture the essence of Mack is through the voice of a student who has lived it. What follows is written from the perspective of a recent 8th-grade graduate, reflecting on the journey from wide-eyed Kindergartener to confident middle school leader. Through their eyes, you’ll see how Mack shapes curiosity, belonging, and purpose, and why families and educators alike speak of it not just as a school, but as a home.
“I came to Mack in Kindergarten, and honestly, I didn’t know what to expect. But within the first week, I remember thinking, “I love it here. Why can’t we go to school on the weekends?” That’s what it was like. Lessons were connected to real-world topics that I actually wanted to learn about, and our strengths were celebrated. We were encouraged to ask questions, try new things, and learn from our mistakes in the process. At Mack, my friends and teachers understood me, and we actually cared about what we were learning. Once you feel safe and part of a community, you’re not afraid to try new things, even when you mess up.
In second grade, during our body systems unit, we dissected sheep hearts and lungs and built a crawl-through digestive system to share what we learned. My grandma even crawled through it! Best project everrrrr! It was fun, messy, and to this day, I still remember every stage of the digestive system. In each grade, we gained confidence in sharing our ideas and projects. During our Inventions Unit in fourth grade, I stood in front of parents and local entrepreneurs, pitching my prototype for a bumper attachment to defrost the road as you drive.Mack’s huge campus made school feel unique, too. Sometimes you’re reading in a tree, taking water samples from the pond, or even crossing a stream to get to class. Learning outside makes everything feel more alive. And when we worked in the garden and orchard, we weren’t just learning about science and permaculture, we were planting, watching things grow, and eating what we harvested. I understood how connected everything is: science, math, social studies, and the world around us.
The overnight trip program pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. My first trip away from home, I was nervous, but by the end, I felt braver and more independent, like I could handle more than I thought. In seventh grade, when we traveled to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, my perspective shifted even more. Meeting people, hearing their stories, and seeing life there firsthand made me realize how much I take for granted and how little you actually need to be happy. It was humbling, empowering, and eye-opening all at once. I’ve always tried to be caring, but this trip made the IB idea of being a global citizen come alive in a way that stayed with me.
By middle school, I wasn’t just learning, I was leading. I mentored a younger buddy, joined my House (Goodall 4eva!) in competitions, and continued to lead my parent-teacher conferences. Sharing my progress with my parents and teachers made me realize that I’d had a voice in my learning all along and that it mattered.
Our trip to Washington, D.C., in eighth grade wasn’t just about sightseeing. We planned the itinerary ourselves and visited exhibits and landmarks we had studied throughout middle school. It was cool to see everything we had learned over the years come together and even more inspiring to sit down with lawmakers and recognize that our ideas can spark real conversations and change.
For my year-long Community Project, I combined my passion for fly fishing with a need in the community. I partnered with an organization that teaches disabled veterans to fly fish and build connections. I became a certified event leader and helped run three outings for Boulder-area veterans. It was meaningful work that I plan to continue.
Now, at a big public high school, I know how to ask tough questions, advocate for myself, and take pride in who I am. Mack wasn’t just a school; it was the place where I discovered who I am and who I want to be.”
Stepping into this student’s story offers a glimpse of what makes Mack Boulder extraordinary. Belonging, confidence, curiosity, and leadership aren’t just words here; they’re lived experiences. Students see mistakes as part of learning. They connect deeply to the natural world on a campus designed for exploration. They step confidently into authentic leadership roles long before high school. And they leave not only prepared for what comes next, but eager to contribute to a world that needs them.
Families describe Mack as more than a school: it’s a home for gifted learners, a place where children are known, nurtured, and inspired. As an IB World School, Mack weaves academic challenges with a global perspective, helping students grow into thoughtful, compassionate leaders who are ready for high school and the world. At Mack, learning is personal, purposeful, and full of possibility.
To learn more, visit MackBoulder.com