Whether through student-led initiatives, collaborative partnerships, or daily acts of kindness, the Ensign Intermediate School campus is vibrant. Students walk past colorful signs cheering on sports teams and announcing activities on their way to brightly lit classrooms. Music plays from the campus speakers as a reminder to students they have about a minute to get to their next class. 

Ensign fosters a supportive environment where students can achieve academic success while strengthening social skills. “If students don’t feel safe and connected, they can’t learn. This holds especially true for middle school students, and it’s why we foster a culture that adheres to Ensign’s core values of kindness, respect, and perseverance,” said Principal Samantha Payne.

This spirit of positivity and engagement sets the stage for a thriving hub for learning and development. There’s a deliberate focus on building positive relationships between students and among students and staff. For example, every Friday, the Associated Student Body (ASB) hosts activities at lunchtime where students can connect at dance parties or play games such as ring toss.

This year’s ASB students set goals to elevate student voices and promote the diversity evident at their school. Though the details are still being discussed, the students plan to organize activities each month that celebrate different cultures, including Hispanic, Filipino, Russian, and more. “Our ASB students have been thoughtful about determining and executing their goals. They truly want to represent their fellow students, and that respect for one another is something we value,” said ASB advisor Lindsey Charron. 

Peer leadership and learning are also evident in the Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) program, whose mission is to actively connect with others on campus and provide peer awareness regarding healthy lifestyles. The group of about 45 students fosters personal growth and positivity by attending leadership trainings, including those focused on empathy and positive reinforcement, and promoting campus wide events such as Red Ribbon Week, during which students will have the opportunity to participate in games and activities that encourage students to make good choices to support their overall well-being. PAL also pairs transfer students with an established peer who welcomes and guides them through the transition to a new school.  

For some students, sports play a significant role in sharing their school spirit. Athletically minded students and those who like to cheer on their friends and classmates come together for basketball, cross-country, soccer, track and field, volleyball, and cheerleading, fostering a sense of unity and creating a positive atmosphere. Whether from the sidelines or posted on the school walls in colorful signs, “Seabee pride is everywhere at Ensign,” said Payne.

Ensign’s core values of kindness, respect, and perseverance are posted throughout the campus and celebrated in many ways. In addition to recognition of students exhibiting positive behaviors, there are assemblies to celebrate students who have achieved high grades or earned high citizenship marks. Each quarter, school staff reward students who embody the core values with an exclusive luncheon.

Students learn to be responsible citizens by the actions of their peers and the community. Ensign’s Clean Campus Club beautifies the campus by picking up debris, cleaning windows, simple landscaping projects, and more. Students in the school’s National Junior Honor Society tutor peers in many academic subjects and participate in community service projects, including canned food and supply drives.    

Walking through Ensign’s welcoming campus, it’s clear Ensign builds a foundation where students connect with one another, build confidence, and grow academically within a close-knit community.