What happened: Midland Classical Academy’s annual Mastery with Honors program showcased 7th–12th-grade student-led projects where students earn honors credit by completing 20+ hour independent projects tied to their coursework. This year, dozens of students completed more than 100 projects, producing advanced work in engineering, writing, art, and research, with top projects recognized at the annual event.

The big picture: The program gives students flexibility to explore their interests while developing discipline, initiative, and independent thinking. Project examples included a bionic hand built for 8th-grade biology, a black hole computer simulation for Algebra I, original books and artwork, historical recreations like a medieval Italian armor or a harmonograph, and even a student-developed video game called “Ashes of Troy.”

“This [Mastery with Honors] project can be creative, technical, or even a way to serve the community,” student Parker Ehl said. “This has allowed me to be creative with my art, and to gain academic credit at the same time.”

Ehl added that she has completed 16 Mastery with Honors projects during her high school career and said the recognition event allows the broader Midland Classical community to recognize the hard work the students are producing.

“I have seen some truly incredible projects over the years,” she said.

Go deeper: Instead of offering traditional honors classes, Midland Classical Academy uses a “Mastery with Honors” model that keeps students in the same classroom while challenging some to go further through independent work.

To earn credit, students must maintain at least a 92.5 course average, demonstrate strong participation and character, and complete a tutor-approved project requiring 20 or more hours of work. Students can earn a place on the honor roll by completing three or more credits in a year, while graduating with honors requires sustained achievement over time.

Top selections advance through tutor nominations and a judge panel and are recognized in three tiers: Dean’s Honorable Mention (Bronze), Judges’ Finalists (Silver), and Judges’ Award Winners (Gold).

“To me, it’s always a testament to how well MCA’s tutors teach their students, and the school’s ability to fulfill its goal of making avid learners and critical thinkers, that they’re interested in continuing their education beyond the classroom,” Former Midland Classical student Anni Agnew said.

Dean’s Honorable Mentions (Bronze)

Josie Reed — “A Children’s Guide to Calculus” Book, Calculus, 12th grade
Rachael Gaona — Animation of Polycarp, New Testament and World History I, 9th grade
Parker Ehl — Star Chart, Astronomy, 12th grade
Kate DeShan — Cards to the Five Good Emperors of Rome, World History I, 9th grade

Judges’ Finalists (Silver)

Kampbell Stephens — “Behind Orchard House” Book, Great Books IV and American History, 11th grade
Cooper Beard — “Ameris” Book, Great Books IV and American History, 11th grade
Eli Ehl — Medieval Italian Armor, World History II, 10th grade
Kara Fithian — “Alas, Poor Yorick” Mirror, Great Books III, 10th grade
Maggie Skaar — “What Becomes Us?” Painting, Fine Arts I, 11th grade
Phoenix Gaona — Black Hole Computer Simulation, Algebra 1, 8th grade
Bronlyn Jones — Last Supper Charcoal Drawing, World History I, 9th grade
Parker Ehl — U.S. Capitol Painting, Government, 12th grade
Aimee Fithian — Animation of the Life of Ruth, Old Testament, 8th grade
Landri Todd — Precalculus Scrapbook, Precalculus, 10th grade
Cooper Beard — Dune Art, Fine Arts I, 11th grade

Judges’ Award Winners (Gold)

Kara Fithian — Harmonograph, Precalculus, 10th grade
Maddox Brown — Bionic Hand, Biology, 8th grade
Ada Harper — John the Apostle Bust, Greek II, 10th grade
Laylan Bundy — Frankenstein Charcoal Drawing, Horror Literature, 12th grade
Rowan Shuman — Tolkien Lore: Middle Earth and Beyond, Old Testament and Great Books I, 8th grade
Cole Dunn — “Ashes of Troy” Video Game, Great Books II and Logic, 9th grade