Alumni

Future Accountant Sandra Schmitz '19 Shines at Tulane University

Hi everyone! My name is Sandra Schmitz, and I am a Class of 2019 High Meadows School alumna. I’m a junior at Tulane University in the A.B. Freeman School of Business and part of the Joint BSM/MAACT Program. This program puts me on track to graduate with my bachelor’s in finance, a minor in Spanish, and a Master of Accounting. I plan to sit for the CPA exam after graduation and pursue a career in public accounting. My High Meadows experience shaped me into the person I am today by fostering my curiosity, confidence, and love of learning.
Below is an interview with Sandra, conducted by the High Meadows School communications office. 

HMS: What led you/your family to High Meadows? What grades did you attend the school?
Sandra: Our family was in the process of moving from Los Angeles to Atlanta, and a work colleague told my dad about the school. They had two boys at the school and suggested we check it out. My mom and great aunt flew out and took a tour before my family moved here in 2009. They loved the idea of letting my little brother, Davis, and me be kids for as long as possible, and it seemed this school would foster that. While they loved the outdoor aspects of the curriculum, what really sold our family was seeing teachers interact with students and encourage them to play and explore while learning. They applied the next day, we flew out for our assessment day, and the rest is history! I attended High Meadows from Pre-K through 8th Grade (2009-2019).

HMS: What was the highlight of your High Meadows experience?
Sandra: The highlight of my High Meadows experience was the 8th-grade trip to Colorado. It was the perfect culmination of all of my years at HMS. My parents always say that this trip was life-altering for me, and I couldn’t agree more. I came back a more confident risk-taker, more comfortable with the uncomfortable, and with a newfound sense of independence. Furthermore, I truly believe it solidified my friendship with five of my best friends, who are core parts of my life today. The relationships I formed at High Meadows are unlike any others in my life, and I am forever grateful for them. Hiking through Estes Park, making friendship bracelets at the YMCA, and singing “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “Rivers and Roads” are special memories that will stay with me forever.

HMS: How did being outdoors, inquiring, and learning to be a curious thinker prepare you for high school?
Sandra: One of the most important things that High Meadows taught me was to never be afraid to ask questions or advocate for myself. It was so natural, almost expected, for students to speak up for themselves and ask questions. I am forever grateful to all of my teachers for fostering a learning environment where I always felt comfortable raising my hand or reaching out after a lesson for extra help. This skill has permeated every aspect of my life and is one of the most valuable tools I took from High Meadows.

Furthermore, High Meadows prepared me academically and personally to be successful in high school and beyond. I walked into high school confident, ready, and equipped with both the academic skills to succeed and the understanding to ask for help when needed. The study skills I learned in middle school (shoutout to Mr. Wolf and his outlines!) made me feel exceptionally prepared for my first high school exam.

High Meadows taught me how to learn. Now, that may sound funny, but the study skills I honed in middle school taught me to prioritize truly understanding concepts over rote memorization. I left HMS with a desire to understand how things worked — and the study skills to make that happen.

HMS: If you had the chance to speak to a family who is considering High Meadows, what message would you give them?
Sandra: High Meadows is a very special and unique place. It allowed me to grow and develop at my own pace. I always felt accepted and was given space to grow into the person that I was meant to be. While the education I received more than prepared me to begin the rest of my academic journey, a High Meadows experience is so much more than just that.

I learned how to advocate for myself, be comfortable in new situations, communicate effectively with people of all ages, stay curious, and take advantage of every opportunity presented to me. I would not be the person I am today without High Meadows.

HMS: What was the best part of attending High Meadows?
Sandra: One of the best parts of attending High Meadows was the unwavering support and encouragement I felt from the teachers. When I was in 4th or 5th grade, my friends and I decided that we wanted to raise $900 to buy a water bottle filler for the elementary school building (it was the only building on campus without one). The immediate support from teachers made it all possible. They helped us brainstorm fundraising methods and guided us through the entire process.

Opportunities like this — where students truly have a say and can pursue projects that lead to real, tangible change — are unique to the High Meadows experience. However, I cannot talk about the best parts of attending High Meadows without bringing up the relationships I made. My High Meadows friends are unlike any others, and I cherish every minute I get to spend with them.

HMS: You are minoring in Spanish at Tulane and are currently studying abroad. How did the Spanish curriculum and exposure to languages from a young age play a role in your decision?
Sandra: The Spanish curriculum at High Meadows is a major reason why I decided to continue studying the language in high school and now in college. I felt extremely prepared for high school Spanish, and all of the presentations and hands-on activities in middle school gave me confidence in my language skills. I still use Ms. Spinola’s songs to remember tricky words or verb conjugations!

At Tulane, I am minoring in Spanish and am currently studying abroad in Madrid. The High Meadows Spanish curriculum created a safe space where my love of languages flourished, and instilled a sense of confidence in my language skills that I still appreciate today.

HMS: What internships have you completed recently? How did HMS help you sharpen skills needed for career success?
Sandra: This summer, I was a Discovery 1 Intern at Deloitte, and it was a simulation-based internship designed to help expose us to different aspects of a career in accounting. My time at HMS laid the groundwork for skill development that helped me succeed in this role.

I remember in elementary school, my class was learning about area and perimeter. Instead of just being lectured or given the formulas, we were asked a question: How many collard greens can we fit in our garden? Next, we went out to the garden and measured the outside of the garden bed. Finally, we used our measurements to figure out the size of the bed and how many collard plants we could fit to maximize the space. Without realizing it, we were learning about area, perimeter, and the relationship between them. That kind of hands-on, inquiry-based learning taught me how to connect ideas to real-world situations — a skill that was critical during my internship.

At Deloitte, I was often given data and a scenario and encouraged to apply prior knowledge to make decisions. I truly believe HMS taught me how to feel confident taking topics learned in the classroom and applying them to real life. I was also able to reconnect with a fellow High Meadows alum this summer during my internship, which was so much fun!
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The High Meadows community celebrates and perpetuates each individual’s quest for knowledge and skill, sense of wonder, and connection to the natural environment. We empower each to be a compassionate, responsible, and active global citizen.
Age 3 through Grade 8 | Authorized IB PYP World School
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