Second-grader Arunima Ghosh and her fourth-grade sister Ari represent the heart of Unity Point's diverse community. Their family's journey from Bangladesh to Oklahoma to Southern Illinois mirrors the paths of many families who have discovered what makes this school district special.

"I like how everyone is different in some way," Arunima explains. "It makes me feel that I'm unique because I'm different from others." Her sister Ari, who has attended Unity Point since pre-K, adds matter-of-factly, "There might be many students here from India, Japan, China, the United States, and Mexico. I'm not sure if some people are probably from South America, Central America."

Their parents speak Bengali at home while continuing to master English, a linguistic bridge the girls navigate effortlessly. At school, they communicate entirely in English, but they're also picking up Spanish—Arunima can count to ten, while Ari recalls once counting to twenty. Their multilingual abilities reflect Unity Point's approach to honoring students' home cultures while building new skills.

The visual representation of this diversity appears immediately in Unity Point's library, where flags from around the world represent students' family origins. For the Ghosh sisters, this display feels natural rather than remarkable. They treat their internationally diverse classrooms as simply how school should be.

Academically, both sisters thrive in Unity Point's engaging environment. Arunima's enthusiasm for learning shines when discussing her favorite subject, reading, though she lights up equally when describing science experiments. "I like the way they make learning like the fun style," she says, referencing recent lessons about Hawaiian tree seeds and how birds spread them to new locations.

Technology integration starts early at Unity Point. "I learned coding and it's amazing and fun," Arunima notes about her second-grade experience. Ari began coding in third grade, demonstrating how the school builds technological literacy progressively. Both sisters also use educational games and apps during class time, making math practice feel like play.

Beyond academics, the sisters participate in Bollywood dance lessons, where their instructor combines traditional moves with original choreography. Though Arunima admits stage fright—"I don't like to dance in front of anyone except when there are more people dancing, like the way we do"—she values this connection to her cultural heritage.

Their family's spiritual life centers around Carbondale's Hindu temple, where they've formed friendships with other Unity Point families. This overlap between religious and school communities creates multiple layers of belonging for families navigating between cultures.

The sisters' relationship with Dr. McNulty, Unity Point's new superintendent, illustrates the school's personal approach to education. Arunima befriended her on the first day of school, initially thinking she was "just a teacher" before learning McNulty leads the entire district. This accessibility of leadership reflects Unity Point's family-like atmosphere.

What strikes both girls most about their teachers is their genuine interest in learning from students' diverse backgrounds. "I think everyone likes that everyone is different because it helps them learn new things from new people," Arunima observes. "Even the teachers might learn."

This mutual learning philosophy extends throughout Unity Point's culture. When classmates share traditions—like Chinese students explaining chopstick use—it enriches everyone's understanding. The sisters appreciate that their Bengali background contributes to this educational exchange rather than setting them apart.

Both sisters demonstrate confidence in navigating complex topics, from time zones at the North and South Poles to the science behind seed dispersal. Their curiosity spans subjects and cultures, reflecting Unity Point's success in nurturing well-rounded learners.

"It's a great school," Arunima declares with certainty. "It has amazing teachers. I like learning." Her enthusiasm extends to practical details—the food, the smooth flow between activities, and the welcoming atmosphere that makes every student feel valued.

As their family prepares for eventual relocation to Colorado, both girls will carry forward more than academic skills. Unity Point has given them something invaluable: the understanding that their multicultural identity strengthens rather than complicates their place in the world.

Their story exemplifies Unity Point's core philosophy—that diversity enriches education when properly embraced. In classrooms where students from dozens of countries learn together, differences become strengths, and being unique becomes a source of pride rather than anxiety.

The Ghosh sisters move through their school days with confidence born from acceptance, curiosity nurtured by excellent teaching, and the secure knowledge that Unity Point values exactly who they are.