Before the first period bell rings at NASH, a small group of students begin to make their way to room 216. Often unnoticed, they weave past taller students, blending into the early-morning rush. Backpacks weighing heavily on their shoulders, they walk through the halls of an unfamiliar and daunting building.
These students are eighth graders, and each morning they travel to NASH to take Latin I before returning to their middle schools. The class requires an early commute and commitment to the ancient language. But for these students, the opportunity outweighs the inconvenience.
“I love the enthusiasm they show and the dedication the eighth graders have to step out of their comfort zone and come to NASH for class,” stated Magistra Ramsey, the Latin teacher at the senior high school.
For many students, attending NASH offers a glimpse of the high school experience that awaits them.
“It feels like I’m taking a peak into my future self,” described Latin I student Victoria Yang.
Magistra Ramsey, who is used to teaching advanced classes such as AP Latin, views guiding this group of young minds as offering a rare and rewarding perspective. “It’s been 18 years since I’ve taught 8th grade, and as much as I love the higher-level classes and enjoy the rigor they provide, it’s refreshing and exciting to be part of and see the beginning of the learning process,” she explained.
Unlike modern language courses, Latin is an equal combination of reading, writing, and history. Students trace the roots of words and translate texts that have survived for centuries. In this way, Latin often functions as both a language and a history course, immersing students in ancient Roman culture and the historical context surrounding each text.
For some students, this interdisciplinary approach is what draws them in.
“I chose Latin because of its relation to English,” said eighth-grader Olivia Lee. “The grammar rules help tremendously in ELA because so many vocabulary words come from Latin roots.”
Others see Latin as a foundation for future academic paths.
“I chose Latin because I want to go into the medical field when I grow up,” elaborated Chelsea Qin.
Beyond practical applications, Latin encourages a way of thinking that is deeply analytical. Translating a passage often requires patience and attention to detail as students are challenged to slow down and examine how each word functions within a sentence. Meaning is not immediately evident; it must be uncovered through careful reasoning and contextual understanding.
This process prompts students to approach translations methodically, encouraging habits of close reading and critical thinking that extend far beyond the Latin classroom.
Additionally, students who continue the language throughout high school see Latin as a more than just an academic pursuit — many see it as a chance for collaboration among a group of familiar peers.
“We’ve all known each other since ninth grade, so the whole class feels like a tight-knit community of friends,” explained AP Latin student Cate Lukitsch.
Due to the small pool of students who take Latin, students develop strong bonds as they work together to explore the language. This sense of community encourages students to take risks, ask questions, and engage more deeply with the subject and its material.
Latin is more than just an early-morning class for these middle schoolers. It combines language, history, reasoning, and seeing from different perspectives, giving students skills they can apply across a range of subjects. As these eighth graders walk through the halls of NASH each morning, they are learning more than just grammatical rules and vocabulary words: they are developing skills of analysis, curiosity, and collaboration.
