Experiential Engagement on Wednesdays

“All-girls learning environments capitalize on girls’ unique learning styles…and engage students in activities that prepare them for life beyond the classroom.” –International Coalition of Girls’ Schools

在Castilleja, we are aware that all students—and girls in particular—learn best when they can integrate new information and skills through experiential learning. 因此, we are adding dedicated experiential learning time into our weekly schedule in the 2023-24 academic year.

Every five-day week throughout the school year, Wednesday afternoons will be dedicated to opportunities for students to apply their learning in real-world, hands-on challenges 和参与. 

We are excited for this pedagogical shift because we know that these experiences actively prepare our students for leadership and success at Castilleja and beyond. Our new schedule on Wednesday will include: 

  • Design Thinking and Making

  • 社区 Partnerships and 宣传

  • Exploration of Identity and Affinity 

  • Hands-On 学习 On and 在校外

Opportunities for Deep-Dive 学习 and 领先的 Through:

Design Thinking and Making

Exploration of Identity and Affinity

社区 Partnerships & 宣传

Hands-On 学习 On & 在校外

Interdisciplinary Themes:

  • Design and Innovation: A creative, iterative process to answer a question or solve a problem. 

  • Emerging Technologies: New or evolving applications of technology with the potential to bring about significant economic and/or social change. 

  • Environmental Sustainability: Development to meet current needs while safeguarding resources for future generations.

  • 全球系统: Identities* and institutions that shape and are shaped by social infrastructure, resource allocation, and cultural values. *such as: geographic, political, legal, economic, and cultural.

  • 社会公平: An examination of equity, access, participation, and rights within an institution or society.

  • 真与美: The pursuit of knowledge and understanding; an awakening to delight in creation and immersion.

  • Women in the World: A focus on women’s contributions and experiences and the contexts in which these occur.

在Castilleja, we recognize the importance of making meaningful connections to reinforce learning and to practice leadership. We believe these seven themes are essential to an understanding of the world. These ideas are far reaching and present interconnected challenges and opportunities to the next generation of women leaders. 

Beginning next year, our Wednesday afternoon programs will provide opportunities for students to explore these Interdisciplinary Content Areas (ICAs) as a core component of our curricular framework. 通过毕业, Castilleja students will have gained knowledge and perspective on the complexities of these core areas through exploration, 研究, 和参与.