It’s a ‘last first day’ for retiring Head of School
MMI’s senior class served as the welcoming committee for the rest of the school.
Seniors marked their own last first day at MMI with a sunrise ceremony at 6 a.m. and then welcomed students as they arrived.
Students were given doughnuts as well as MMI cookies prepared by Chef Jack Ambrose and the MMI kitchen staff.
MMI Preparatory School kicked off the 2026-27 school year Aug. 25, welcoming 176 new and returning students to its Freeland campus. The Upper School has 134 students enrolled, while the Middle School has 42.
Throughout the summer, MMI refreshed and enhanced its campus, including security improvements such as a new access control system and additional security lighting on the south end of the Joseph A. Turri ’45 Library & Learning Center.
Athletic facilities also received improvements, including a newly resurfaced gymnasium floor and enclosed dugouts on the baseball and softball fields. The dugouts provide additional protection for student-athletes during Freeland’s often unpredictable early-season weather.
This school year marks a bittersweet one for Head of School Theresa Long, who will retire in June.
“First days are always special at MMI,” she said. “There is an energy in the halls that reminds us why this school feels like home. As I begin my final year as Head of School, I find myself appreciating those moments even more. Welcoming our students back, seeing familiar faces and watching the excitement of a new year unfold is a wonderful reminder of what makes MMI so special. I am grateful for the faculty and staff who create such a welcoming place for our students, and I look forward to sharing this final year with the MMI family and seeing all that our students will accomplish together.”
Seniors marked their last first day at MMI with a sunrise ceremony at 6 a.m. before welcoming students as they arrived.
All students received a custom Pin It 4ward pin celebrating the start of the school year. The pin was created by Isabella Young, sister of MMI student Madalynn Young ’28, in partnership with The Luzerne Foundation.
As an additional treat, students received MMI cookies prepared by Chef Jack Ambrose and the MMI kitchen staff.
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