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Out of the Box and into SCM: The Mirza Family

The Mirza family—Nazia, Thaha, Musa, and Iman—embodies what it means to be a St. Catherine’s family. Since joining SCM in 2017, they quickly became familiar and friendly faces on campus, attending and hosting Sociables, participating in PSO, cheering for the SCM Owls, and enjoying the school’s events and traditions.

Nazia and Thaha’s parenting philosophy centers on fostering independence and critical thinking in their children. They believe in thinking outside the box and doing things that may not always align with traditional methods or ideologies. "We want them to do something because they truly want to do it, even if it goes against the status quo," Nazia explained.

The Mirza family’s journey to SCM began with love at first sight. Nazia shared, "I fell in love with the independence, the nurturing environment, and incorporating the natural environment into everything you do." The school’s passion for a holistic, nurturing, and inclusive educational environment resonated deeply, and experiencing the strong sense of community reinforced their decision. "There was a sense of family that we didn't see at other schools. I remember when we toured it, and we were like, this is it! This is what we want for our kids,” Nazia recalls of their initial tour. Now, they eagerly recommend SCM to other families; she emphasizes, "The community, the guides, and the administration are always willing to work with whatever situation comes up. The attitude is always finding a solution and cheering on the children.”

Trusting the Montessori process and witnessing the three-year cycles come to fruition were significant factors in the Mirza family's decision to stay with SCM. Thaha explained, "You have to have a little bit of patience. We are seeing now what everybody has been saying: ‘You have to let the cycle finish, and, at the end, this is how it's going to be.’” Their children's growth and confidence continue to impress them at the end of each new level. The Mirzas love the opportunities for authentic life experiences that progress from local “going outs” in Elementary to international travel and Spanish immersion as a culminating odyssey of the Adolescent Community. Nazia shares that Musa’s recent 9th-year trip to Costa Rica was particularly transformative: "He came home, and the first thing he told me in the car was, 'Wow, I am grateful for everything that I have. It was really humbling.” Reflecting on Musa and Iman’s profoundly formative SCM experiences, Thaha also appreciates that the guides don’t shy away from presenting difficult topics and encourage respectful discussion and debate. This discourse develops an attitude and a remarkable norm of respect and inclusion, which is evident in student culture and friendships. 

The decision to remain for the Adolescent Community and again through high school was influenced by the qualities they saw developing in their children. Nazia and Thaha are proud of the independence, grit, and kindness that Musa and Iman exhibit. "There's a sense of ownership that the kids have—a sense of 'I want to get things done.' They want to be here, they want to learn and thrive," Thaha noted. Commitment to their children's development led them to explore other schools, and the lackluster engagement they observed touring traditional options reaffirmed their choice to stay at SCM. "Musa was adamant. He said, ‘I don’t want to learn like that. I want to learn the way we do here,’” Nazia shared. Teenagers at St. Catherine’s are empowered to examine and speak out against injustice, and they love to work and learn through doing–in a safe and supportive social atmosphere.

Seeing the fruits of the experiences, relationships, and independence St. Catherine’s nurtures, the Mirza family’s commitment to SCM extends beyond participation—they are also consistent Annual Fund and event donors. “We donate to St. Catherine's Montessori because we value the school's holistic approach to education. We believe in the school’s mission and educational approach and want to celebrate and support that through giving,” says Nazia. The Mirza family’s experience demonstrates the merits of patience with the Montessori approach and each child’s unique unfolding. In the same ways they appreciate St. Catherine’s influence on their children, the school is mutually enriched by the Mirza family’s involvement, enthusiasm, and generosity!

Looking ahead, the Mirzas hope their children will recognize the formative nature of their SCM experience. "I hope they say that this school has shaped who they are. They are incredible humans and incredible children, and I hope they continue to be. At the end of the day, the most important thing apart from anything else is what kind of human you are," Nazia mused. They cherish the nurturing and supportive environment at SCM, which cultivates thoughtful, independent, and compassionate individuals.