May 19, 2026

Make sure to click "View Entire Message" at the bottom of this email 
so you don't miss any important details in this extended edition.

Move Out Procedures

All students are required to sign up for a final check-out time with their assigned Resident Counselor (RC). A parent/guardian must be present during the final check-out process.

During the final check-out process, students must complete all residence hall expectations, including:

• Returning books, keys, proxy IDs, uniforms, and school-issued materials
• Completing all room cleaning expectations
• Finishing assigned wing/hall cleaning responsibilities
• Removing all personal belongings from the residence halls
• Resolving any outstanding fees or obligations

IMSA does not provide summer storage. Any items left behind in rooms or hall spaces will be discarded.

Students are not officially checked out for the school year until all expectations have been completed and approved by their RC. If check-out responsibilities are not completed, charges may be applied to the student account.

If you have any questions or changes to your family’s move-out plans, please contact your assigned RC as soon as possible.

Textbook Returns

Please make sure to return all textbooks directly to your teachers. The Principal's Office and the IRC do not collect textbooks.

Please be sure to update your shipping address for any packages you may order during the summer months.

IMSA will not be able to hold or forward packages for graduating seniors or returning students over the summer. Any deliveries that arrive after move-out will be returned to the carrier.



For immediate questions, please reach out to Rachel Force at rforce@imsa.edu.



Last week, juniors and their families received an email regarding potential changes to ACT scores and score availability for students who took the ACT in April. According to ACT, the score reissue stemmed from a broader nationwide review connected to online spring state and district testing, and is not unique to IMSA. If you missed the email, you can read it here.

We're collecting words of wisdom from current IMSA students and families to help welcome and guide our newest Titans. Whether it’s academic tips, time management strategies, reflections on the IMSA experience, or just encouraging words, your advice can make a big difference!

Please take a moment to share your insights, suggestions, or stories that might help the next class feel more prepared and supported as they begin their IMSA journey.

Computational Science students have been working on computational models of animal behavior for predators and prey. For their final project, they have written code and trained neural networks to model their behavior so they can survive in a giant steel-cage death-match simulation (hundreds of lynxes attempting to devour thousands of hares), known as The Hunger Games.  

Anyone is welcome to watch and see whose neural networks end up most successful, and whose animals are still alive at the end of the day!

As the academic year ends, I'd like to express my heartfelt congratulations to our students on their accomplishments. 10th graders now have a year under their belt, 11th graders will be growing into leadership roles, and 12th graders will soon be celebrating their finale at commencement before embarking on their next journey. 

When I ask students about their summer plans, they often talk about their family activities, working, or taking time for self-care. These are all activities that are guided for us, or simply taking a break to recharge. I have to admit that's true in my family, as well, as I spend a good portion of the summer with my three children, while thinking about preparations for the next academic year.

I'd like to offer a challenge for our students' consideration: Think of summer as an opportunity to explore something you wouldn't normally take time to do during the academic year. It's a challenge, in a way, because they have to regulate how they approach it and remain dedicated to it. This would not be something directed by someone else, but rather something a student would initiate based on their own curiosity. I'm not asking students to do more or add something to their resume, but rather to think about the opportunity to discover—whether that's a new hobby, revisiting a passion, or stepping out of their comfort zone. 

Why is this important? The transition from adolescence to adulthood relies on becoming more independent, self-directed, and responsible. Think of this exploration challenge as an opportunity for the teenager(s) in your household to demonstrate they are becoming more capable of this transition. And if they struggle, their parents/guardians will be at their side to support and guide them. You, too, are invaluable teachers in our students' lives.

National High School Fed Challenge

Siddharth Karuturi '27, Matthew Park '27, and Pranshu Nautiyal '28 were recently recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York through the 2026 National High School Fed Challenge. Their research paper, “The Attention Economy of Music: How Social Media Rewired the Music Industry,” was selected for publication as one of only 12 papers chosen nationwide from 207 submissions. The competition challenges high school students to apply economic analysis to real-world issues while developing advanced research, writing, and data literacy skills.

Siddharth Karuturi '27

Matthew Park '27

Pranshu Nautiyal '28

From Curiosity to the Courtroom

Through her Curiosity Microgrant project, “Behind the Scenes of a Court Case,” Joanna Swearengen '27 explored the realities of family law by shadowing IMSA alumna and divorce attorney Alysia Evans ’91. Over six weeks, Joanna gained firsthand insight into courtroom procedures, client relationships, and the emotional complexities of divorce law through interviews and mentorship. Her presentation highlighted the importance of compassion, organization, and adaptability in the legal profession, while also emphasizing that career paths can evolve over time. Joanna concluded by reflecting on the value of mentorship, meaningful professional connections, and exploring passions beyond STEM fields.

Representatives from Versiti Blood Center of Illinois visited IMSA to recognize the Academy’s ongoing commitment to community service through blood donation initiatives. During the visit, executives met with students and presented David

Monses ’26 and Z Peek ’26 with graduation cords in recognition of their leadership and dedication to community service, each contributing more than 12 hours supporting blood donation efforts.

IMSA was also honored with the Community Impact Award, recognizing exceptional achievement in blood drive participation, donor engagement, and overall community impact. In 2025, the IMSA community donated 115 blood products across five blood drives, potentially benefiting up to 345 patients. With three drives already completed in 2026 and two more scheduled, IMSA is currently on pace to surpass last year’s totals.

IMSA’s commitment to solving real-world problems through integrative learning was on full display during an engaging mock climate summit. Students from Global Climate Change (taught by Dr. Jessica Amacher), Planetary Science (taught by Dr. Eric Hawker), and Economics (taught by Patrick Kearney) gathered to share, debate, and vote on climate policy proposals while representing nations from around the world.

The event provided a dynamic cross-disciplinary experience and a meaningful way to close out the semester.

Please remove or uninstall IMSA software from your personal computers. This includes but is not limited to the CrowdStrike Antivirus software and Adobe software you installed using IMSA’s license.

• Class of 2026 - Uninstall all software using an IMSA-provided software license. CrowdStrike Antivirus must be uninstalled, and Adobe products will stop working after graduation. As of May 1, no special uninstall code will be required to uninstall CrowdStrike. Students may keep any “freeware” or public domain applications. Wolfram Mathematica may be converted to a free student license.
• Class of 2027 and 2028 - Students are not required to uninstall CrowdStrike. If you choose to uninstall it for the summer, please note that you may need to install an antivirus application again in the fall. As of May 1, no special uninstall code will be required to uninstall CrowdStrike.  

Returning Loaned IT Equipment

Students with loaned IT equipment must return it before leaving campus at the end of the school year. All equipment must be returned in person to the IT HelpDesk Office. Emails will be sent to students and their parents/guardians over the next few weeks listing the equipment expected to be returned. Sophomores and juniors with scholarship loaner laptops can keep them over the summer.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the IT HelpDesk Team or stop by the IT Help Desk (B-205, above TV pit) Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Notice of Nondiscrimination: IMSA prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator.