Education Beyond the Classroom Week: Learning Through Experience
Each spring, Eastside Prep students participate in a truly distinctive aspect of our program—Education Beyond the Classroom (EBC) Week. This week reflects our belief that some of the deepest, most meaningful learning happens through experience, exploration, and reflection.
EBC Week is not a vacation or tourism—it’s an opportunity to step into the world as curious learners and thoughtful citizens. These trips and experiences ask students to engage deeply: to study an issue, culture, or topic; to practice language; to serve and collaborate; to create and problem-solve; and to explore a region in ways that go far beyond typical travel. Students are invited to look under the hood of a culture, connect ideas across disciplines, and discover more about themselves in the process.
These experiences are hands-on, challenging, and often deeply transformative. They can be physically demanding, emotionally complex, or simply outside a student’s comfort zone—but that’s part of the purpose. Growth happens when we roll up our sleeves, engage fully, and lean into the unfamiliar.
Important Updates & Reminders
Upper School Students
- EagleCon Preview: Upper School students will learn more about EBC Week options and preference selection next week during EagleCon.
- Preference Selection: Students should select four top choices and include a short statement (no more than one paragraph) explaining their interest in each.
- Placement Process: We do our best to honor preferences, though not all students will receive their first choice due to space and program limitations. When needed, preference is given to seniors, then juniors, and we also consider past positive participation and group dynamics.
Middle School Students
- 8th Grade: Experience options will be shared during Class Meeting on November 3.
- 7th Grade: Oregon Coast exploration.
- 6th Grade: NatureBridge environmental education program.
- 5th Grade: Camp Orkila outdoor education experience.
A Wide Range of Experiences
EBC Week is intentionally designed to include a variety of experiences. Some are physically rigorous; others may be emotionally or intellectually demanding. Some take place outdoors and are exposed to the elements, while others are in large urban settings. Each trip presents its own kind of challenge—and not every experience is the right fit for every student.
Please review experience descriptions carefully, paying close attention to the Major Considerations listed, to determine whether an experience aligns with your student’s educational goals and the kinds of challenges they are eager to take on.
Mindset for Success
Educational travel can be unpredictable and demanding. Students are expected to bring flexibility, curiosity, respect, and a sense of adventure as they work alongside chaperones, guides, and peers. It’s important that every participant considers the needs of the full group and contributes to a positive, collaborative experience for all.
Religious and Family Considerations
EBC Week falls during a time when several holidays occur. Passover begins on Wednesday, April 1 (the week before EBC Week) and concludes on Thursday, April 9 (during EBC Week). Easter falls on Sunday, April 5.
Families should consider what works best for them as they make selections. We offer experiences that depart and return on different days to help accommodate these holidays and other family obligations, and we will work with students and families to support observance or celebration during travel whenever possible.
EBC Week Webpage Coming Soon
The EBC Week webpage—featuring full experience descriptions, major considerations, dates, and other important details—will be published next week and details are shared with students in EagleCon. We encourage families to review this resource carefully as they prepare for preference selection.
No matter which trip or experience your student joins, EBC Week offers something rare and powerful: a chance to learn by doing—to see, question, engage, and grow. These are the experiences that students remember for a lifetime.
Questions? Contact Paul Hagen or David Kelly-Hedrick.