When Riya Patel left Andover School of Montessori to attend Phillips Academy Andover, she knew she was stepping into a very different environment. “Although moving from a small school to a much larger school was an adjustment,” she reflects, “ASM had prepared me well for the rigorous academics.” At Andover, she quickly found herself balancing challenging classes, athletics, projects, exams, and multiple assignments. The independence and time-management skills she developed at ASM made all the difference. “ASM had already taught me how to manage my time and work independently,” she says, allowing her to approach new responsibilities with confidence. Just as importantly, she carried with her the belief that “challenges are opportunities for growth,” a lesson that helped her embrace the demands of high school.

Looking back on her years at ASM, Riya remembers the learning experiences that stand out most are the ones that encouraged her to think deeply and express her ideas. She remembers reading The Alchemist and To Kill a Mockingbird, discussing literature with classmates, and analyzing themes together. Those conversations taught her that “contributing to a conversation does not require having a perfect answer; it requires being willing to think carefully and share your perspective.” She also credits the school’s hands-on, project-based learning with helping her become a creative problem solver. Projects such as designing a golf course challenged students to develop ideas independently rather than simply following directions, preparing her for the open-ended work she encountered throughout high school.

Riya also believes ASM shaped the person she became beyond the classroom. She describes learning “the value of collaboration,” recognizing that success comes from “listening to others, contributing to a group, and helping the people around you succeed.” The multi-age classrooms gave her opportunities to mentor younger students, making leadership a natural part of her education. Equally meaningful were the relationships she built with her teachers. They were “approachable, supportive, and genuinely invested in my growth,” giving her the confidence to advocate for herself and seek help whenever she needed it. Those habits stayed with her throughout high school and strengthened her both academically and personally.

High school became a time of exploration. Riya participated in swimming and crew, served in student leadership roles, continued her Indian classical dance training, and became involved in health education and medicine-related activities. Her favorite courses connected science with ethics, particularly Ethics and Medicine, where she explored topics including pharmaceutical companies, healthcare for older adults, and equity in medicine. Those experiences solidified her passion for health sciences, public health, and medicine.

This fall, Riya will begin the next chapter of her journey at Boston University, majoring in Health Science while completing the pre-medical requirements and pursuing a minor in Business. She chose Boston University for its “strong academics, access to Boston’s medical and public-health communities, and the opportunity to live in an urban environment.” Her interests extend beyond the science of medicine. She hopes to better understand “the intersection of medicine, public health, ethics, and healthcare equity,” believing that physicians should consider not only a patient’s medical needs but also the social conditions that influence overall health and well-being.

Reflecting on her Montessori experience, Riya offers thoughtful advice to current students and families: “Take advantage of every opportunity ASM offers and approach each experience with your best effort.” She reminds students that “every assignment, project, and activity has a purpose” and encourages them to “allow themselves to be challenged, ask questions, try unfamiliar activities, and have fun in the process.” Her final reflection captures the spirit of an ASM education: “Learning to embrace challenges at ASM will help you continue seeking growth, even when it is no longer required of you.”