Learning and Engaging in Our World
On a typical day at Presentation, you may find many students in their seats, but you'll also learn quickly that we like to get out into the world and experientially participate in our education. Presentation students participate in many activities all over our beautiful campus and beyond. Our students engage in the world experientially on day and overnight field trips and through community service.
SERVICE PROJECTS
Love. Learn. Lead. Putting our words into action, community service is a year-long focus for all grades. Yearly, Presentation students gather food to fight chronic hunger in Sonoma County through our Holiday Food Drive for the Redwood Empire Food Bank. The school also maintains a strong and supportive relationship with a local animal shelter Pet’s Lifeline, and yearly raises thousands of dollars for animal friends in need. Eighth grade students are required to complete a capstone service project, a cross-section of a personal passion and a particular need in the world or local community.
EXTENDED FIELD EXPERIENCES
Student learning is solidified through hands-on learning experiences. Beginning in fourth grade, each class has at least one extended field trip that involves being away from school (and home) overnight.
FOURTH GRADE TRIP TO CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH COUNTRY/COLOMA
Fourth graders participate in a two-night, hands-on experience at Coloma, Gold Rush Country. Students are immersed in this seminal period of California’s history, experience gold mining, make bread, and learn “tools of the trade” to survive in a mining town, and of course visit the site of the California’s original “Eureka” moment.
FIFTH GRADE TRIP TO WESTMINSTER WOODS
The 5th grade overnight field experience focuses on ecology and team-building, with a 4 day/ 3 night trip to Westminster Woods, in Sonoma’s redwood forest. Here the classroom study of ecology, conservation, and stewardship come alive while hiking among giant redwoods, foraging in the meadows, and swamping through discovery-laden creeks. During their stay students also are challenged to work together during a day of challenge courses, complete with low and high ropes course, and the infamous “Lion’s Leap.”
SIXTH GRADE OCEAN SCIENCE TRIP
In the spring, the sixth graders travel to Sea Lab, in Monterey. Here students dive deeper into their oceanography and tidepooling science study. This 3 day/2 night adventure includes sea kayaking with the sea otters!
SEVENTH GRADE SHAKESPEARE TRIP
Seventh grade students travel back in time to the Renaissance and experience Shakespearean theater, as well as several modern plays, first hand in Ashland, Oregon at the annual Shakespeare Festival. Following a study of Shakespeare and theater/play writing in class, students have the opportunity to attend multiple live works and participate in actor workshops!
EIGHTH GRADE TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
Eighth grade social studies explores American history. Our soon-to-be-graduates travel to the nation’s capitol to retrace and memorialize the important people and events of our American history.
