Scaling Adventure and Knowledge During Peak Week

Throughout the past week, Upper Campus students reveled in and savored the myriad experiences offered during Peak Week.

Peak Week introduces unique learning opportunities beyond the confines of the traditional curriculum. It allows faculty and staff to provide immersive experiences for our Trailblazers, enabling them to explore and pursue what captures their interest. These unique adventures also facilitate interactions and relationship-building among students, faculty, and experts in various fields of study while simultaneously enhancing their adaptability skills—a valuable asset in today's ever-changing world.
 
Some students opted for travel experiences, diving deep into the captivating essence of each destination. Lyon: The "Other Capital" in France delved into the history of Lyon, exploring its significance during the Roman Empire, World War II Resistance, and its renowned status as the French capital of gastronomy. Highlights included visits to iconic landmarks such as the Fourvière's Basilica, the Lumière Museum, and the Saint-Pierre Palace. Discover Costa Rica embraced the pura vida lifestyle as students practiced their Spanish, attended culinary lessons, and explored the country's natural beauty through hikes, waterfall visits, and snorkeling along the Pacific coast. Meanwhile, other traveling Trailblazers opted for the East Coast College Tour, gaining valuable insights into the 12 colleges and universities they visited, including several Ivy League institutions. Students met professors, administrators, and students (including SC alums), inspiring them to strive for their personal best when applying to colleges. Lastly, the New York City Arts Tour was a riveting journey featuring Broadway shows, visits to prestigious art galleries like Dia and Hauser Wirth, and explorations of diverse neighborhoods such as Greenwich Village and Chinatown.
 
While some embarked on journeys to other states and countries, equally enticing local experiences were available, from traditional activities to exciting new opportunities. The Art of Cooking, a long-standing Peak Week tradition, offered a perfect opportunity for honing culinary skills and gaining a taste of the culinary arts. Another popular class was Knitting for a Cause, where participants of all skill levels united to create knitting squares for donation to the nonprofit organization Warm Up America, which supplies hand-knitted and crocheted blankets, clothing, and accessories to those in need. New this year, Synthesis and Sound Design 101 introduced the musically curious to the basics of electronic synthesis and sound design, exploring techniques used in music, advertising, film, and television. Learning at Disney allowed students to engage in interactive workshops on the physics and technology behind Disney Parks and its many rides and attractions. They stepped into the shoes of Disney Imagineers, applying scientific methods to understand the mechanistic principles and engineering of the theme park and learning how technology enhances the overall guest experience. Countless other activities, in addition to these experiences, made for a truly unforgettable Peak Week. 
 
At Sierra Canyon, presenting students with different learning avenues is a significant benefit of this experiential program. Thank you to our faculty and staff for their dedicated efforts in organizing such impactful experiences and ensuring these Trailblazers' educational journey is both enjoyable and enriching.
Lower School: 11052 Independence Avenue
Middle and Upper School: 20801 Rinaldi Street
Chatsworth, CA 91311  | 818.882.8121
Sierra Canyon School is a private, independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory school for students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12 located in Chatsworth, California. The highly cosmopolitan campus community is reflective of the Greater Los Angeles area and the world at large. Students are empowered to realize their greatest creative, ethical, intellectual and physical promise through small class sizes, a diverse student-teacher culture and a family-like environment.