Curiosity Scholars

Moravian Academy’s Curiosity Scholars program offers merit-based scholarships each year to Middle School students new to Moravian Academy whose pursuit of academic excellence is driven by their own curiosity to understand the world. The School is looking for students who do not fit the typical mold, who thrive on asking questions, seeking feedback, and understanding that there is always more to know and do. They are excited by the unknown and are not afraid to fail in the pursuit of finding the answers.

Moravian Academy believes that the habits needed to transform curious students into successful adults are established in middle school. That is why this renewable scholarship is offered to new students entering grades 6–8 with priority given to those students entering grade 6. Moravian Academy is looking for students who will thrive when surrounded by the School’s tradition of excellence and culture of curiosity.

Curiosity Scholars will not fit a typical mold, but they should share some of these qualities:
  • A thirst for knowledge
  • Bursting with the confidence to pursue their curiosity
  • Internally driven to always do his or her best
  • A desire for feedback as an opportunity to improve
  • The ability to use setbacks as opportunities for even greater learning
  • Filled with the conviction that they can make the world a better place
The Award
Recipients will receive a scholarship of $14,000. Scholar recipients may also apply for additional assistance through the need-based financial aid process.
How do I apply?
  1. Curiosity Scholar candidates must complete the standard admissions process
  2. Check the box on the application to notify Moravian Academy of your interest in the Curiosity Scholarship
  3. Complete the Curiosity Scholarship essay and video response and submit it to the Office of Admissions by January 29
Who is Eligible to Apply?
All Middle School applicants are eligible to be Curiosity Scholars once they’ve completed the application process. Special consideration will be given to students entering grade 6; however, applications are welcome for students applying to grades 7 & 8.

The Curiosity Scholars award will favor students who are currently attending a non-independent school environment. Students from public, charter, and home or cyber schooling will be given preference.

Do I Need to Reapply Each Year?
No. The Curiosity Scholarship will renew each year of middle school as long as the student:
  • Continues to exhibit a leading sense of curiosity and an internal drive to learn
  • Maintains strong academic performance in all classes
  • Maintains an exemplary disciplinary record
  • Is active in the life of the Moravian Academy community

When Will I Know if I Received the Scholarship?
Curiosity Scholar recipients will be notified of their award upon receipt of the formal admission letter released on (or before) March 5, 2021.

Essay and Video Response

There are two elements to applying for the scholarship - A video recording and two writing responses. Both are outlined below.

The video recording and writing responses, while important, represent only a part of your child’s application - no one piece will determine our admission decisions. Our aim is to see a snapshot of your child. There is no such thing as perfect; we are observing many things in asking your child to attend to these tasks. These exercises are designed for a wide range of applicants and students at different development levels. These tasks outlined below are a chance for Moravian Academy to meet your child and their approach to learning moments that they may encounter at the school. 

Video Recording
Students are expected to explore the following question: If you could invent one item (a machine, a device, an app, etc) to change the world, what would it be and what would this item do? As you plan to record your answer, please keep the following things in mind:

    • The final recording should be one to three minutes in length 
    • Students are expected to create their invention (digital or paper drawing, physical model, etc) and to feature it in the recording 
    • Recording Guidelines
      • Please use your phone or a tablet to make the recordings
      • Record in landscape or horizontal mode
      • Recordings should be completed indoors with little background noise
      • You do not need to be dressed up, but please dress appropriately 
    • If it would be helpful, a student could record their presentation on Zoom or Google Meet with someone asking questions like an interview 
    • Once the recording is complete, please email the videos to admissions@mamail.net 

    Writing Responses
    Choose any two of the three writing prompts listed below
    1. Who is the one person you admire and why?
    2. If you could go back in time, what time period would you visit and why?
    3. What does the word ‘excellence’ mean to you?
      • The prompt should be word-processed (such as Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Pages, etc) and then converted to a PDF 
      • The final essay should each be one to two pages
      • Once the writing responses have been completed, please email PDF copies to admissions@mamail.net 

      Both the video recording and the writing responses are due January 29, 2021. 

      Merle Smith Campus

      Upper School
      4313 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020

      Downtown Campus

      Lower & Middle School
      7 E. Market Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018