The Keys Experience
At Keys, learning is joyful, dynamic, and deeply connected—where curiosity thrives, community flourishes, and students grow with confidence.
Within the safe, healthy, and inspiring community at Keys, personalities come to life, young people discover themselves, and students embrace learning with minds and hearts turned on!
Room to play, time to rest, and moments to connect.
At Keys, we intentionally build in time for unstructured, child-led play, encourage restful pauses during the day, and create opportunities for families to come together in meaningful ways.
Whether it’s through outdoor exploration, quiet moments between activities, or community-wide family events, Keys supports a daily rhythm that nurtures the whole child. We know that shared meals, imaginative play, and simple togetherness aren’t extras; they’re essential.
All School Picnics
Our Spring and Fall Picnics are cherished all-school gatherings where students, families, and faculty/staff come together to enjoy good food, great company, and the beauty of the season. These events celebrate our vibrant community, offering a chance to connect, relax, and make lasting memories.
Skate Nights
In partnership with Winter Lodge, all students learn to ice skate as part of their P.E. curriculum. The season culminates in joyful All School Skate Nights, where students and their families gather for an evening of skating, hot cocoa, and shared meals under the stars.
Buddy Program
Our Buddy Program intentionally connects students across grade levels, creating opportunities for mentorship, friendship, and fun. Whether reading together, teaming up for D-Day activities, or celebrating during the House Extravaganza, students build meaningful relationships that strengthen our school community. Second Graders take on leadership roles as older buddies to Kindergarteners, learning responsibility and empathy, while also enjoying time as younger buddies with Fourth and Sixth Graders. These joyful, cross-grade connections foster confidence and belonging.
Our House Connections
At Keys, every student, faculty, and staff member is part of a House—Water, Air, Fire, Ice, Light, or Earth—each with its signature color and identity. House membership lasts throughout a student’s time at Keys, fostering connection, continuity, and community across grades. Twice a year, the entire school comes together for House Extravaganza in the fall and House Challenge in the spring—joyful events filled with field day games, scavenger hunts, collaborative projects, and buddy time. Through these shared experiences, students grow as learners, leaders, teammates, and friends, deepening their sense of belonging in our vibrant community.
D-Day Activity
As part of our A–F day rotating schedule, D-Days provide dedicated time for cross-grade activities that foster empathy, identity exploration, and a sense of belonging. Students engage in hands-on projects, reflective discussions, and collaborative experiences that deepen their understanding of themselves and others.
Opening & Gathering
Weekly Openings and Gatherings are cornerstone experiences that foster connection, reflection, and student leadership at Keys. At Gathering, students come together to share cheerful greetings, celebrate birthdays and cultural traditions, hear a Morning Message, and pause for a mindful moment—nurturing empathy and a strong sense of belonging. During Opening, Middle School students lead the way, presenting to their peers and developing confidence, voice, and leadership skills. Whether through Student Council initiatives like spirit weeks and the Halloween Parade or enrichment opportunities that deepen student passions, Keys empowers students to take the lead and actively shape our community.
Concerts & Art Shows
Each winter and spring, Lower and Middle School students present their own musical performances, filled with singing, dancing, and instrumental music. These concerts showcase the unique talents of each division while bringing families together in celebration. In the spring, the Lower School hosts a vibrant art show—a gallery walk where every student proudly displays artwork created throughout the year. In Middle School, the spring concert includes ConsART, a special event that transforms the entire campus into a student-curated art gallery. Families are invited to explore the space, celebrating the creativity, expression, and talent of our student artists.
Musicals & Plays
Our Lower and Middle School theatrical productions are designed to build confidence, develop public speaking skills, and foster collaboration. In the Lower School, every student is given an important role on stage, ensuring that each child feels seen and valued as a performer. In Middle School, every student contributes meaningfully—whether performing under the spotlight or working behind the scenes on tech and production. These experiences empower students, cultivate creativity, and instill a strong sense of responsibility and teamwork.
Halloween Parade
Join the entire Keys community for our beloved all-school Halloween Parade, hosted by the Student Council. Students from every grade gather at the Lower School campus in costume and parade together in a joyful celebration of creativity. Faculty join the fun in coordinated themed costumes, and parents and caregivers are encouraged to dress up too! Enjoy festive treats, morning coffee from our popular coffee cart, live music from the Middle School instrumental group, and spirited songs performed by our 3rd and 4th graders.
8th Grade Celebrations
Eighth grade at Keys culminates in a trio of meaningful traditions that celebrate our students’ growth and honor their transition to alumni. The Future Alum Lunch brings the class together for a time capsule activity and heartfelt advice from Keys graduates, helping students see themselves as part of a lifelong community. On the Sunday before graduation, families gather for the Banquet, where each student delivers a personal reflection on their Keys journey, introduced by a 7th grader, with the evening concluding in a touching slideshow. The celebrations culminate on the last day of school with Graduation, a beloved all-school event attended by all students and the broader Keys community. Each graduate is honored with a faculty speech, a diploma, and a symbolic gift delivered by their kindergarten buddy, marking not just the end of middle school, but a joyful tribute to the relationships and experiences that define the Keys experience.
A Few Words from our Family
Beyond Keys“Keys teachers know how to empower our kids and help them succeed. They get it, they live it, they breathe it.”
“I’ve learned new things about my eighth grader while going through the high school application process. Keys has not only nurtured her independence, but I’ve also seen how truly capable she is. Keys has given her the foundation and the tools to be ready for this major next step.”