Learning Beyond the Classroom
Students leave their everyday routines to experience education outside of the classroom.
What would you do without your phone for a day? How about a week? With a variety of options to choose from during Experiential Education Week, some Upper School students survived without technology and embraced digital detox by reconnecting with the present moment.
“Surprisingly, without readily available access to technology, I was able to be more present and mindful. I learned that I had more perseverance than I thought I had. When rock climbing, dangling 100 feet in the air with minimal holds really puts in perspective the strength it took to get up there in the first place.” -Isabelle “Isie” Hinrichs ’25
Experiential Education emphasizes nurturing essential skills and building relationships through transformative experiences, empowering individuals as dignity agents for personal growth. The mission is to strengthen connections, cultivate lifelong learning, and bridge the gap between academic spaces and the wider world.
“I gained a new perspective and discovered hidden strengths and abilities within me that I wasn't aware of in a regular classroom setting. I learned about the unique qualities and talents of my fellow students, which made a stronger sense of connection and appreciation for diversity within our school community.” -Sophia Gizzo ’25
Grade 9 students spent three nights in Ojai, focusing on team building, outdoor education and social development by hiking, sea kayaking, playing games, and pushing the boundaries of their comfort zones.
Grades 10 and 11 chose from a civil rights field study in the deep South; exploring sustainable farming practices in Portland, Oregon; rock climbing with veterans at Joshua Tree; hiking in Utah; rebuilding homes in New Orleans; exploring the history and culture of Charleston, South Carolina; experiencing the cultural evolution of Pittsburgh; and ocean kayaking off Santa Cruz Island.
“Without experiential education, I'd probably never learn about all of the history in Pittsburgh. Traveling to the places where important history has occurred makes learning about those topics so much more real and engaging.” - Ava Mendoza ’26
For those who preferred to stay local, day trip options included practicing their mindfulness skills, earning their PADI Open Water SCUBA certification, exploring Darwin’s (R)evolutionary theories and the impact humans have on nature, engaging with local refugee organizations, and working to address the challenges that the unhoused community faces in San Diego.
Seniors could join programs on a space-available basis, use the week to work on their college applications or visit colleges and universities of interest with family members. The school-sponsored college trips are scheduled over spring break.
