Beyond the Classroom

Pre-kindergarten

Every fall, the students travel to the Pumpkin Patch in Half Moon Bay. They return with a favorite pumpkin or gourd that becomes an art project and eventually a science experiment. Another favorite outing is the annual visit to the farm at Hidden Villa in Los Altos where they take a farm tour and explore nature.

Kindergarten

The students visit CuriOdyssey where they explore the science exhibits and wildlife habitats. Another favorite trip includes a fall visit to the Pumpkin Patch in Half Moon Bay.

First Grade

First grade students visit the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos. This experience includes explorations in science, technology, math, and engineering. The interactive exhibits and hands-on program provides an engaging adventure into the world of flight.

Second Grade

Students visit the Marine Science Institute in Redwood City where they learn about San Francisco Bay Area marine life. The students experience their natural coastal environment and learn ways to protect their local resources.

Third Grade

Third grade ventures to Woodside Store, Folger Stables, CuriOdyssey, the Academy of Sciences and a class favorite, The Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Moss Beach. The students explore tide pools, the intertidal environment and marine life in this amazing outdoor classroom.

Fourth Grade

Students spend three days and two nights in historic Coloma studying California history and the Gold Rush. Students spend their nights in tent cabins along the American River and their days learning about the geography of the Sierra Mountains while trying their luck panning for gold.

Fifth Grade

Students visit Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park where they learn about the geography, wildlife, and history of the Big Sur region. They sleep in tents that they pitch themselves. A large part of this field trip involves survival skills, team building, and learning to work together in an outdoor setting under the guidance of Naturalists at Large. This trip culminates with a challenging kayak trip in the Elkhorn Slough, learning about and experiencing some of the central coast’s marine life.

Sixth Grade

Students discover the unique natural and human history of Pinnacles National Park, develop group cooperation through a shared camping experience, enhance leadership abilities, and learn fundamental camping skills. They also participate in a rock climbing program, taking advantage of the parks’ unique rock formations. Naturalists at Large provides our students with a shared experience during the program, enhancing their understanding of identity. All Naturalists at Large programs are designed to give students a “sense of place.” This is accomplished by introducing them to the natural and cultural history of the park while they explore the trails and study the various habitats and life in the area.

Seventh Grade

Students spend an entire week in Yosemite National Park exploring the Yosemite Valley with Nature Bridge. Spending the night in vinyl-sided cabins on the valley floor, the students wake each day to enjoy day hikes to Vernal and Nevada Falls, Yosemite Falls, the Spider Caves, and Mirror Lake. Small trail groups learn about outdoor survival, local flora and fauna, and can work with park rangers on conservation projects. The park is a living science classroom!

Eighth Grade

In the spring, students travel to Washington, D.C. and Williamsburg. This trip is a capstone to their study of the history of the United States. Joining eighth grade students from schools across the United States, students are immersed in the workings and historical sites of the Federal Government under the leadership of the Close-Up Foundation.