Field Trips

Field trips bridge the gap between classroom instruction and the outside world. Each grade goes on at least five field trips a year to various locations within and outside of New York City, such as the Japan Society of Manhattan, Alley Pond, Soons Orchard, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Science classes visit the American Museum of Natural History and the Rutherford Observatory at Columbia University and work with scientists from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine to learn about advanced laboratory equipment and procedures.

Each fall, middle school students go on a four-day trip to the Princeton-Blairstown Center (PBC), which offers adventure-based programs and activities. Students complete group challenges, set and achieve personal goals, work as a team, build self-confidence, and create lasting memories and bonds with peers. Each advisory group is partnered with a group leader that guides students and advisors through challenging activities designed to encourage growth geared specifically to the needs of the group. After engaging in these interactive, memorable experiences, students leave with a sense of accomplishment and an understanding of the issues their advisory periods will address throughout the year.

A three-day spring trip is held at Rensselaer, one of the nation’s top technological universities. Students see first-hand the work ethic, intellectual curiosity, and determination that it takes to be accepted to and thrive at an accomplished university. They are introduced to applications of science and math that inspire them to explore their schoolwork in new and exciting ways. During the trip, students design innovative solutions to significant problems drawing from lessons in architecture, engineering, chemistry, and physics. After three days of collaboration, students present their concepts to professors, parents, peers, and Rensselaer President Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson. Such opportunities inspire students to set high goals and reflect on ways to achieve them.