Spring Term Blog
Spring Term Blogs 2026
For more photos from each Spring Term team, please join our NCCS Middle School Facebook Group or NCCS Upper School Spring Term 2026 Facebook group.
8th Day 2 | Washington, D.C.
![The White House during Spring Term]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1775083631/ncchristianorg/ugyl78nwrk9wifrvcknp/8th_WashingtonDC_Cemetary.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1775083631/ncchristianorg/ugyl78nwrk9wifrvcknp/8th_WashingtonDC_Cemetary.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1775083631/ncchristianorg/ugyl78nwrk9wifrvcknp/8th_WashingtonDC_Cemetary.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1775083631/ncchristianorg/ugyl78nwrk9wifrvcknp/8th_WashingtonDC_Cemetary.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1775083631/ncchristianorg/ugyl78nwrk9wifrvcknp/8th_WashingtonDC_Cemetary.jpg","width":1536}])
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPRING TERM 2026
Written by Alex Dunn, 8th Grade Faculty
Day 2 is in the books….and what a day it was!
Our students hit the ground running for another full day in Washington D.C., starting bright and early at Mount Vernon, George Washington’s impressive 5,000 acre estate. They explored the mansion, paid their respects at the graves of George and Martha Washington, checked out the farm animals currently living on the property, and took in some beautiful views of the Potomac River. Yes, they waved to Maryland from across the water. We kept busy right up until lunchtime.
Lunch took us to Old Town Alexandria along King Street, where students had plenty of options to choose from. While there was a wide variety of food available, it seems Ben and Jerry’s may have stolen the spotlight. Don’t worry, actual meals were eaten too… we think.
In the afternoon, we headed to Arlington National Cemetery, where we had the meaningful opportunity to visit Ryder Slaughter’s grandparents’ gravesites. It was a powerful and personal moment that helped bring deeper meaning to everything Arlington represents. Students also visited President John F. Kennedy’s gravesite, among others.
At 4:00 p.m., we attended the solemn Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Following that, we had a truly special experience. Four of our students, Ollie Barry, Tenley Cain, Annie Oakes, and Simon Siller, represented our school in the wreath laying ceremony. Since it was the final ceremony of the day, our school’s wreath remained at the tomb overnight. An unforgettable honor!
From there, we made a quick stop at the Iwo Jima Memorial for a short lesson and group photo before heading to dinner at Chevy’s Fresh Mex, where everyone happily refueled.
We wrapped up the evening visiting the Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial, perfectly timed with sunset, giving us some incredible views and plenty of photo ops.
After a day packed with walking, learning, and memory making, the students were more than ready to head back to the hotel and get some rest.
One more full day to go. Day 3, here we come!