Creek Story Magazine
Creek Story Magazine: Winter 2026
Relentlessly pursuing excellence through premier learning spaces, immersive experiences, outdoor education, and Creek connections!
Dear Indian Creek School Community,
The first semester of the 2025–26 school year has been filled with energy and connection. From the opening PTO tailgate and CREEKfest to performances and showcases across campus, the Creek value of connection has been ever-present. We began the fall with 597 students, he highest enrollment in a decade, and the campus has buzzed with purpose and possibility. In response to this growth, we have been intentional in adding talented faculty, expanding instructional spaces, and reducing Middle and Upper School class sizes to ensure every student continues to benefit from the Creek’s relentless pursuit of educational excellence, guided by our Strategic Plan.
This fall brought meaningful progress across all four strategic pillars: Advancing Excellence, Campus Footprint, Financial Durability, and Telling the Creek Story. The new Machemer Family Creek Lab has become a powerful symbol of immersive learning, serving students across divisions while offering space for exploration and innovation. The Vos Family Academic Resource Center now houses Ed Tech faculty and remains a vital academic hub, while Admissions, College Counseling, and Community & Well-Being now form a welcoming nucleus at the school’s main entrance. Enhancements to athletic facilities, the opening of the Alumni House, and the addition of our first greenhouse further reflect our commitment to hands-on learning, community engagement, and student experience.
Looking ahead, we will launch a comprehensive PK–12 Outdoor Education program next year, supported by new campus features including trailhead kiosks, an Outdoor Classroom, and storage facilities. At the same time, the School’s financial health continues to strengthen, with six consecutive operating surpluses, a record-setting $1 million raised in 2024–25, and the establishment of the School’s first endowment. These successes have allowed us to improve faculty compensation and benefits, enhance learning spaces, and introduce new programs such as the Evergreen Institute and Outdoor Education. Through ongoing reflection on our mission and values, we have embraced a broad, intentional definition of educational excellence—one rooted in connection, progress, and whole-person development.
I see that excellence daily: in academic outcomes, artistic performances, project-based learning, and, just as importantly, in kindness, honesty, and curiosity. Our faculty and staff deserve my deepest thanks for making this possible. This year, their professional learning centers on a guiding question: What does high-quality immersive learning look like in the era of AI? Supported by new AI policies, faculty guidelines, and upcoming engagement with author Peter Nilsson. As we continue advancing our Strategic Plan and preparing for major initiatives ahead, this issue of The Creek Story highlights the vibrant, real-world learning that defines ICS today. It’s a great time to be at the Creek—and an even greater time to imagine what comes next.
Sincerely,
Booth Kyle
Head of School
The first semester of the 2025–26 school year has been filled with energy and connection. From the opening PTO tailgate and CREEKfest to performances and showcases across campus, the Creek value of connection has been ever-present. We began the fall with 597 students, he highest enrollment in a decade, and the campus has buzzed with purpose and possibility. In response to this growth, we have been intentional in adding talented faculty, expanding instructional spaces, and reducing Middle and Upper School class sizes to ensure every student continues to benefit from the Creek’s relentless pursuit of educational excellence, guided by our Strategic Plan.
This fall brought meaningful progress across all four strategic pillars: Advancing Excellence, Campus Footprint, Financial Durability, and Telling the Creek Story. The new Machemer Family Creek Lab has become a powerful symbol of immersive learning, serving students across divisions while offering space for exploration and innovation. The Vos Family Academic Resource Center now houses Ed Tech faculty and remains a vital academic hub, while Admissions, College Counseling, and Community & Well-Being now form a welcoming nucleus at the school’s main entrance. Enhancements to athletic facilities, the opening of the Alumni House, and the addition of our first greenhouse further reflect our commitment to hands-on learning, community engagement, and student experience.
Looking ahead, we will launch a comprehensive PK–12 Outdoor Education program next year, supported by new campus features including trailhead kiosks, an Outdoor Classroom, and storage facilities. At the same time, the School’s financial health continues to strengthen, with six consecutive operating surpluses, a record-setting $1 million raised in 2024–25, and the establishment of the School’s first endowment. These successes have allowed us to improve faculty compensation and benefits, enhance learning spaces, and introduce new programs such as the Evergreen Institute and Outdoor Education. Through ongoing reflection on our mission and values, we have embraced a broad, intentional definition of educational excellence—one rooted in connection, progress, and whole-person development.
I see that excellence daily: in academic outcomes, artistic performances, project-based learning, and, just as importantly, in kindness, honesty, and curiosity. Our faculty and staff deserve my deepest thanks for making this possible. This year, their professional learning centers on a guiding question: What does high-quality immersive learning look like in the era of AI? Supported by new AI policies, faculty guidelines, and upcoming engagement with author Peter Nilsson. As we continue advancing our Strategic Plan and preparing for major initiatives ahead, this issue of The Creek Story highlights the vibrant, real-world learning that defines ICS today. It’s a great time to be at the Creek—and an even greater time to imagine what comes next.
Sincerely,
Booth Kyle
Head of School
Winter 2025 Creek Story Magazine
Fall 2024 Creek Story Magazine
Indian Creek School
Indian Creek school is a co-educational, college preparatory independent school, located in Crownsville, Maryland. Students in Pre-K3 through grade 12 receive a vibrant educational experience based on excellent academics steeped in strong student-teacher connections.
