Recently, Upper Campus students took part in Peak Week—Sierra Canyon's signature experiential learning program—engaging in immersive experiences beyond the classroom.
Peak Week is designed to complement Sierra Canyon's academic program by giving students opportunities to explore new interests, apply learning in real-world settings, and develop independence, confidence, and collaboration through purposeful experiences.
This year's travel experiences allowed students to engage deeply with a wide range of academic and cultural environments. Students participating in the New York City Arts Trip traveled to the city, where they visited theaters, museums, and creative exhibitions while exploring the intersection of artistic expression and cultural history. Students on the East Coast College Tour explored a broad spectrum of institutions, from large universities and small liberal arts colleges to Ivy League campuses, gaining insight into academic pathways, campus culture, and the college admissions process. International travel experiences included Live the Fiesta in Spain, where students engaged with the country’s art, architecture, history, and cuisine while exploring historic cities and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Students also participated in Navigating Tahiti, an interdisciplinary program that blended Polynesian culture with hands-on environmental science, marine conservation, sustainability studies, and traditional navigation.
Peak Week's local and on-campus programs were equally impactful, offering students a variety of experiential courses. Through Automobile Utopia, students explored Los Angeles' connection to automotive culture, examining everything from basic maintenance and mechanical systems to design innovation and racing technology through museum visits and immersive simulations. In Fired Glass Art, students learned fused and blown glass techniques, combining artistic expression with an understanding of the science behind the medium while creating original works. Students participating in Lower Campus Teaching Assistants ventured to the Lower Campus to support classrooms from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 6, developing leadership and mentorship skills while assisting teachers and engaging younger Trailblazers in daily learning. In How to Be a Bird Nerd, students became citizen scientists, hiking local natural spaces to observe and identify birds, study ecosystems, and reflect through both scientific and creative exploration. Together, these courses represent just a portion of the many experiences offered during Peak Week, allowing students to engage with learning in diverse and meaningful ways.
Whether exploring locally or traveling abroad, Peak Week reflects Sierra Canyon's commitment to experiential learning by empowering students to step beyond familiar settings, broaden their perspectives, and return to campus energized for the rest of the school year.
#SCMiddleSchool #SCUpperSchool #SCExperientialLearning
