Bates Academy Students Take Over the Zap Zone for the Annual MSTEP Reward Trip!

Lights flashing, games buzzing, laughter filling the air — the annual Bates Academy MSTEP Zap Zone Reward Trip on May 22 was an unforgettable celebration of hard work, dedication, and academic excellence!

This exciting reward trip honored students who showed outstanding achievement on the MSTEP assessment. Only students in 3rd through 7th grade who scored proficient in BOTH Math and ELA earned an invitation to attend. Eighth grade students earned their spot by scoring proficient in BOTH Science and Social Studies. This was no ordinary field trip — it was a celebration reserved for students who truly put in the work and rose to the challenge!

More than 300 students, teachers, parent chaperones, and Principal Bailey packed the venue with energy and excitement as students enjoyed arcade games, bowling, delicious food, music, and nonstop fun with their classmates and teachers. Everywhere you looked, students were smiling, competing for prizes, cheering each other on, and making memories that will last long after the school year ends.

The trip was also a powerful reminder that academic success deserves to be celebrated in a BIG way. Students saw firsthand that hard work, perseverance, focus, and determination can open doors to exciting opportunities and special experiences.

Principal Bailey joined in on the fun and celebrated alongside students, recognizing the incredible effort it took to meet such high academic goals. Teachers and chaperones proudly watched students enjoy a day that they truly earned through months of preparation, learning, and growth.

The annual MSTEP Zap Zone Reward Trip continues to be one of Bates Academy’s most exciting traditions — motivating students to strive for excellence while showing them that their achievements matter. Congratulations to all of our amazing students who earned this well-deserved reward. Your hard work paid off, and Bates Academy could not be more proud! 🎉