Experiential Education

At EPS, we believe learning occurs when carefully chosen experiences are used intentionally to promote character development, personal growth, and positive change. The foundation of our Experiential Education program includes Real-life Experiences, Service Learning, The Design Process, and Public Presentation.

ADVISORY SERVICE DAY – Grades: 5-12 – Fall Trimester – Required

In pursuit of the EPS vision of “inspiring students to create a better world,” students engage a service learning curriculum in which they practice making a difference today, while simultaneously preparing themselves for future endeavors. Serving in this way students learn both the importance and necessity of civic engagement.

E-PROJECTS – Grades: 5-12 – Year-long – Required (visit website)

Experiential Projects (E-Projects) are a year-long curriculum specifically designed to increase agency, autonomy and self-direction for students as they progress from the 5th through the 12th Grade. Students learn to self-manage a formal project design process that is both transferrable to their academic coursework and their lives beyond EPS.

Projects: (1) connect to EPS Big Questions and Ideas; (2) take place in a public environment; (3) enhance students’ ability to DO something; (4) enable students to identify a range of achievable personal outcomes and to articulate specific purpose; (5) encourage self and group reflection on learning and process.

Grade-level projects include the following components:

• FALL OVERNIGHTS

Class orientation trips that happen at the beginning of the school year. Each grade level visits a different site, where students spend two days and one night with their classmates and teachers. Establishing a sense of community and setting the tone for the upcoming school year are the primary objectives. During these two days, students are engaged in a variety of activities and discussions as well as teambuilding projects.

• DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION DAYS

Full school days set aside for students to work on their projects. Teachers also instruct students on project design and implement processes and strategies.

• SPRING RETREATS

With E-Projects completed, students head out to local nature reserves for three days to reflect on their experiences and plan for their culminating exhibits. These events are largely planned by students giving them an opportunity to choose their own adventures. Activities include camping, biking and boating.

• PROJECT DAY

Project day is a culminating event where students exhibit the product of their year- long E-Projects for the EPS community. Students use various mediums to communicate the progression and efficacy of their projects. This is an afternoon event.