Sreekar Inturi, a 2024 graduate of ASM, is eagerly anticipating his freshman year at Commonwealth School in Boston. We recently spoke with Sreekar to learn more about his ASM experience, how he feels it has prepared him for the next phase of his educational journey, and why he chose to attend Commonwealth School.
What are some of the important lessons you learned and how do you think they will help you in high school?
During my time at ASM, I learned many important lessons that will help me in high school. For example, I learned how to step out of my comfort zone; a skill I will use often in high school as I experience new things and utilize the opportunities around me. I also learned how to work in small class sizes and how to communicate effectively with my peers while showing active listening. I am sure these skills will be useful in high school when participating in discussions. Finally, I learned how to manage my time and handle large workloads, which will help me in high school when I will have many activities and a lot of homework.
Are there any specific teachers, classes, or activities that had a significant impact on you at ASM? Explain why.
A teacher that has had a significant impact on me while at ASM was Mrs. Records. She was my teacher for three years and has helped me get to where I am now. In 6th grade, she was my STEM teacher and helped me create my first science fair lab report. In 7th and 8th grade, she was one of my classroom teachers and was my science teacher and 7th grade math teacher. Mrs. Records guided me through my transition from Upper Elementary to Middle School and has been an invaluable help preparing me for high school and beyond.
Can you identify any particular subjects/course work at ASM that stand(s) out as especially valuable?
To me, business collaborative and executive functioning were two things at ASM that stood out to me as especially valuable because they deviated from the traditional curriculum. I learned a lot of real world skills from business collaborative and executive functioning such as the various aspects of running a business and how to improve yourself mentally so that you can tackle challenges you might face in the future.
Describe some of your favorite experiences at ASM.
Some of my favorite experiences at ASM were our class trips to The Leadership School in Maine and our two trips to New York City. I remember in the beginning of 8th grade, going to The Leadership School where I bonded with my new 7th grade classmates and had a lot of fun canoeing and rock climbing. I also enjoyed our trips to New York City in 7th grade and 8th grades, where I made many fond memories. In 7th grade, I got to explore a plethora of locations, including the Empire State Building, Times Square, and the Statue of Liberty, which was a surreal experience. In 8th grade, I had the chance to participate in the Montessori Model United Nations Conference in New York City, where I met kids from around the world and helped brainstorm possible solutions to real-world problems.
I also had an incredible experience with Student Council at ASM. We implemented supply drives and suggestion boxes, which students could use to voice suggestions they have for the school. We also re-introduced composting to the students, faculty, and staff. I really enjoyed being able to represent the middle school in both 7th and 8th grades and believe I made a positive impact. I was honored to be a role model and leader for my classmates and younger students and learned a great deal from this experience. Participating in Student Council was an opportunity for me to further enhance my skills related to leadership, communication, and teamwork. I expanded my knowledge about advertising, event planning, and how be a changemaker.
What advice or suggestions would you offer to current students and their families to make the most of their time at ASM?
In order to make the most of your time at ASM, one piece of advice that I have for current students and their families is to completely utilize the resources around them whether it is the supportive and caring faculty or the various classroom materials and textbooks to grow and prepare themselves for what comes next in their life.
Why did you choose to attend Commonwealth School?
I chose to attend Commonwealth School because its close-knit community made a lasting impression on me. I also really loved the school’s academic curriculum in math and computer science in particular and their athletic offerings. Finally, I was interested in the school’s clubs and believed that I would fit in and grow within Commonwealth.
Are there specific activities you want to get involved with at the Commonwealth School?
Some specific activities I want to get involved in while at Commonwealth School are cross country and computer science. These are two activities I have always been interested in and am excited to be able to pursue while attending Commonwealth.
