Our school honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, Jan. 19, with a school holiday and the HIES MLK Classic. This annual basketball tournament brings together some of the top teams across the state, including the Golden Bears – the boys' team had a big win over Westminster, while the girls' team took down Hardaway.

Besides the basketball action, fans enjoyed a performance from the renowned gospel choir Kevin Styles and Psalms, featuring a live rendition of "Life Every Voice and Sing." In the spirit of service, tournament attendees were encouraged to contribute to the Clothing and Food Drive sponsored by Two Men and a Truck. Donations will benefit Ebenezer Baptist Church (Dr. King’s church), Hosea Helps and Solidarity Sandy Springs
 
Middle School and Upper School students also participated in the annual MLK Essay Contest, and two winners from each division were announced at the tournament and awarded $250 each. Congratulations to Santiago Lander '31, Iris Savage '30, Mayomi Sanni '27 and Sophia Jarboe '26 on their winning essays, and thank you to all who participated in this meaningful day. 

Kristin Ahler, first-grade teacher and Lower School Global Programs coordinator, and Alyssa Rooks, second-grade teacher, recently presented “Show What You Know: Student Growth with Digital Portfolios” at the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC). Their session highlighted HIES’s Digital Student Portfolios, first piloted three years ago in first-grade and expanded annually, as a creative way for students to document and showcase their learning. Ms. Rooks and Ms. Ahler will also present this work later this year at the SAIS and NAIS conferences.

Digital portfolios allow students to see and hear their growth over time, creating meaningful reflection opportunities for students, teachers and families. Students often share their portfolios with relatives near and far, extending learning beyond the classroom. As Ms. Ahler shared, “Creating projects with technology is an amazing way to celebrate the incredible curriculum and culture in the Lower School!” Well done to Ms. Ahler and Ms. Rooks as they continue to represent HIES to educators across the country!

Students in the PEAK Leadership Experiences program enjoyed a special visit from members of Goldman Sachs this week to help launch a pilot program for a student-managed investment fund. Kristen Henderson and Mary McDaniel, vice presidents, and Carl Peoples, managing director, spoke with the students about investment fundamentals and key market trends to equip them to conduct their own investment analyses. The students will visit the Goldman Sachs offices later this semester to network and present their investment portfolio proposals. Thank you to our partners at Goldman Sachs for facilitating such a valuable experience for our students!

This week, Lower School students took a break from their regular day to visit the Spring 2026 "ACE Showcase" and explore all the different after-school experiences being offered this semester. Students had a great time exploring the interactive displays, each representing a different ACE course. From yoga to photography to STEM courses, there's something for every Golden Bear. To register your Primary School, Lower School or Middle School student for Spring 2026 ACE courses, click here!