Intersession

Each year at the Bay School a highlight of the spring program is the week-long project period called ‘Intersession’ during which students and teachers focus on the exploration of one specific area or topic of interest. The program is a direct expression of the school’s academic philosophy valuing “depth over breadth”, and an appreciation of the importance of linking academic study to real world experience and practice. Students are given the opportunity to extend their learning beyond the traditional boundaries of the classroom while exploring passions that transcend published course work. Intersession also provides students with the chance to make choices and take risks outside of the classroom setting—physically, intellectually, and emotionally, while within the confines of a well-structured program.

Topics for Intersession courses are proposed and designed by faculty members and students working together. In order to be approved, course content must support the school’s mission and be connected to the core curriculum. Course goals are clearly articulated and require outcomes that are substantive. Full participation in an Intersession course each year is part of the Bay School’s graduation requirements.

Intersession course offerings include a wide variety of activities and topics that vary each year. Several courses involve off-campus activities such as wilderness camping/trekking trips in the Ventana wilderness, to Sierra high camps, and Death Valley, as well as the opportunity to learn new outdoor sports such as rowing. Many courses take advantage of the extensive cultural resources surrounding us in the Bay Area involving dance, filmmaking, music, and the fine arts. Other courses based on campus involve different applications of mathematics, the sciences, and history. For the technologically minded, Bay School teachers offer in-depth courses in programming and digital media.