Experiential Learning
We Dive Into
Learning
At RCDS, we don’t just read about the world, we bring students into the world, because that’s where the deepest learning happens. RCDS students learn by doing, with hands-on discovery and experimentation. Students set goals, experiment, observe, review, and plan next steps. While students learn these new skills, they explore unfamiliar attitudes and develop the flexibility to see things from different points of view.
We Explore a Bigger World
Intentionally selected field trips engage students while allowing them to gain perspective, leading to a deeper understanding of their classroom studies. We generally take more than 28 class trips a year, visiting sites such as Ellis Island, Philadelphia, Boston, Longstreet Farm and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Upper School students, ready for more immersive experiences, embark on annual wilderness adventures. These multi-day trips have become important rites of passage for fifth- to eighth-grade RCDS students. Age-appropriate activities that encourage healthy risk-taking, require problem-solving, provide new experiences and promote bonding with classmates create lifetime memories.
Upper School students, ready for more immersive experiences, embark on annual wilderness adventures. These multi-day trips have become important rites of passage for fifth- to eighth-grade RCDS students. Age-appropriate activities that encourage healthy risk-taking, require problem-solving, provide new experiences and promote bonding with classmates create lifetime memories.
We Integrate STEAM Learning
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) learning is infused in our educational approach, with knowledge expanded through interdisciplinary projects at all grade levels throughout the year. This approach fully engages students and promotes critical thinking, problem solving and resourcefulness. Students learn through hands-on assignments like conducting experiments in a laboratory environment or by employing design-thinking principles to solve real-world problems. Plus all of our Upper School students are required to take woodshop which challenges students to think like engineers and apply knowledge gained in other classes like geometry and science.
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) learning is infused in our educational approach, with knowledge expanded through interdisciplinary projects at all grade levels throughout the year. This approach fully engages students and promotes critical thinking, problem solving and resourcefulness. Students learn through hands-on assignments like conducting experiments in a laboratory environment or by employing design-thinking principles to solve real-world problems. Plus all of our Upper School students are required to take woodshop which challenges students to think like engineers and apply knowledge gained in other classes like geometry and science.
“Adventure trips offer the class an opportunity to coalesce as a group and to recognize strengths and abilities that may not necessarily be recognized every day at school.”Bill Lamb
Head of Upper School
