Upper School Trips

In October, seventh graders head out for a series of three day trips that expand on the topics introduced in Life Science as students explore the unique ecosystems of New England; learn about sustainability efforts in Massachusetts and equitable access to water; and consider the impact of climate change on our local environments. As they do in their science classrooms, seventh graders investigate the principles of biology and develop their understanding of ecosystems. Through partnerships with Nature’s Classroom and the Cape Cod National Seashore, students deepen their understanding of our local habitats and explore the relationship between humans and other animals. At Nature’s Classroom, they participate in team-based projects based on the seventh grade science curriculum. When students visit the Cape Cod National Seashore, they learn more about the role salt marshes play in New England coastal ecosystems. Students connect their science studies to the arts with a visit to deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, where they participate in hands-on activities connected to the museum’s outdoor arts installations. 

Monday: Nature’s Classroom

Tuesday: Cape Cod National Seashore

Wednesday: deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum

In October, eighth graders participate in three day trips that complement the students’ Modern World Cultures (MWC) class and focus on the topics of immigration, culture, and community. Fay partners with local artists, historical societies, reenactors, and community organizations to develop students’ understanding of how societies and cultures evolved around the world as the colonial era ended. 

Students visit the Tsongas Historical Center, explore cultural landmarks in Lawrence, Massachusetts, meet with American Revolutionary War reenactors, and participate in a workshop with local poet and activist Dariana Guerrero. Students also connect their history studies to the arts with a visit to El Taller in Lawrence, where they learn how immigrants have fueled creativity in their communities through literacy, art, and community gatherings.

Monday: American Revolution Reenactors & Daraiaan Guerrero (on-campus)

Tuesday: Tsongas Historical Center

Wednesday: Lawrence Heritage Park, El Taller Community Arts Cafe, and the Essex Arts Center

The ninth grade trip to New York City brings the English curriculum to life with a hands-on exploration of the Harlem Renaissance. The fall term focuses on this period in the evolution of American literature, specifically the works of Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Alain Locke, Claude McKay, Marcus Garvey, and a number of other luminaries. As students read literary selections in class, they learn about locations in Harlem that they later see as part of their tour, including the jazz clubs in Langston Hughes' "The Weary Blues," the fruit markets in Claude McKay's "The Tropics of New York," and Zora Neale Hurston's former home/literary salon. 

Students visit historically rich sites as they learn about immigration, the Harlem Renaissance, and the impact of these events on American culture. With visits to landmarks including the Apollo Theater, Ellis Island, the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, and Harlem Studio Museum, students explore how people build community, how individuals express their culture through artistic expression, and how people have harnessed the arts through history to foster connection and effect change.