Americans are becoming smarter, but less creative states a recent Newsweek article by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman (July 19, 2010). “Enriched environments are making kids smarter,” yet as the reporters note, “American creativity scores are falling.” They note that, “there’s no concerted effort to nurture the creativity of all children.”

At Eastern Mennonite School, articles like this one encourage us rather than discourage us. We work diligently to nurture the creativity of our students because we see creativity as a wonderful gift bestowed upon us by a loving Creator.

In addition to developing creativity, we strive for EMS graduates to
•    understand themselves, other people and the world around them
•    be grounded in the richness of a global view, history, math, literature, language, scientific thought, and Biblical teachings
•    to excel in the fine arts, music, technology and family sciences.

Teachers use creativity themselves by promoting classroom experiences that use both divergent and convergent thought, a combination that Bronson and Merryman state is the true measure of creativity. Whether it’s looking at an issue from both sides, creating a family budget or preparing a Senior Presentation, our teachers nurture the whole student in a way that promotes the opportunity for life-long learning.

For students to become a vital part of the 21st century, we promote throughout our curriculum the development of “gifted behaviors,” attributes such as creative and analytical thinking, persistence, delaying gratification and promoting empathy. In cultivating such behaviors, we desire that all students will be equipped to face the challenges of our world. To be creative in a way that will make a difference.