By Paul Hagen, Director of Student Well-Being

Since Eastside Prep’s founding, we have embraced the belief that education extends far beyond the four walls of the classroom. Our Education Beyond the Classroom (EBC) program embodies this belief, offering students transformative opportunities to step into the world, engage deeply, and grow profoundly. EBC invites students to explore, connect, and reflect in ways that simply aren’t possible within the confines of a traditional classroom. These experiences are not just memorable highlights of our students’ time at EPS; they are essential to their development as thoughtful, empathetic, and capable individuals who care deeply about the wider world and strive to make it better. Through intentional design and thoughtful execution, EBC creates immersive learning opportunities that bridge perspectives and inspire growth.

The Philosophy Behind EBC

The philosophy behind EBC is clear: experiential education is an essential component of a meaningful Eastside Prep education. Each trip, project, or partnership is intentionally designed to extend classroom learning, fostering deeper connections between academic content and the world beyond campus. Whether students are analyzing marine ecosystems, walking in the footsteps of civil rights leaders, immersing themselves in a culture different from their own, or exploring the natural world, EBC offers opportunities for learning that are as meaningful as they are memorable.

Humans are inherently curious. Our natural inclination to question and explore drives us to seek understanding and meaning. Traditional classrooms, however, can sometimes limit this innate curiosity. At Eastside Prep, we strive to create dynamic classroom environments that encourage flexibility, collaboration, and active learning. Yet, there are limits to what can be achieved within even the most innovative classroom.

This is where EBC shines. It allows us to break free from traditional learning spaces and embrace the wider world as our classroom. By stepping outside, students engage with real-world challenges, experience hands-on learning, and gain new perspectives that enrich their understanding of themselves and the world around them.

The Vision of EBC

At the heart of EBC is a commitment to relevance and authenticity. Education shouldn’t exist in a vacuum, and EBC ensures that it doesn’t. Through hands-on experiences, students grapple with ambiguity, collaborate to solve problems, and encounter real-world complexity that doesn’t have easy answers.

This approach aligns with our goal of preparing students not just for college but for life in an interconnected and ever-changing world. It also provides unparalleled opportunities for students to live out the Eastside Prep mission to Think Critically, Act Responsibly, Lead Compassionately, and Innovate Wisely.

EBC Week: More Than a Highlight

Each spring, EBC Week offers the entire EPS community—students and faculty alike—the chance to deeply immerse themselves in transformative learning experiences. These weeklong adventures are carefully curated to align with academic objectives, promote personal growth, and encourage meaningful connections.

For Middle Schoolers in fifth through seventh grades, EBC Week focuses on exploring the natural and cultural richness of the Pacific Northwest. Fifth graders spend their week at Camp Orkila, exploring tidepools, learning about forest ecology, and engaging in various challenge-by-choice activities. Sixth-grade students conduct a deep dive into environmental sciences at NatureBridge on the Olympic Peninsula, while seventh graders embark on a road trip to the Oregon Coast, discovering the region’s unique history and culture. Each activity ties back to the curriculum, reinforcing classroom concepts in tangible and memorable ways.

Eighth grade and Upper School students venture farther afield. This year’s trips included a diverse array of offerings that pushed students beyond their comfort zones and provided matchless opportunities to grow and learn. Students learned the science behind making the perfect pizza, explored the tech scene in the Bay Area, conducted field research in Yellowstone National Park, and immersed themselves in Spanish language and culture in Sevilla.

During this powerful week of discovery, students created art, met with scientists and historians, scrambled through slot canyons, studied ecosystems, explored and embraced new cultures, and reflected on global issues. Each trip and experience serves as a bridge, connecting students to perspectives and experiences that deepen their understanding of the world and their place within it. At its best, EBC Week fosters authentic connections and builds empathy through immersive, hands-on learning.

Lifelong Lessons

The impact of EBC extends far beyond the week itself. Students develop greater confidence, expanded horizons, and a richer understanding of their place in the world. These experiences shape classroom discussions, spark new interests, and influence future endeavors.

At Eastside Prep, we believe education should be dynamic, relevant, and connected to the world. The EBC program embodies this belief, challenging students to learn not just for school but for life. It reminds us that learning is not confined to classrooms and homework assignments; it is a journey of exploration, connection, and discovery that lasts a lifetime.

When students step out into the world—whether through a service project, an EBC Week trip, or a field trip to a local museum—they return not just with new knowledge but with a deeper sense of purpose and possibility. That is the power of Education Beyond the Classroom: it bridges perspectives, builds understanding, and prepares our students to navigate an ever-changing world with confidence and compassion.