GEMS students in grades 9-11 engage in a variety of experiences throughout their high school career. They can range from local field trips to international travel experiences, depending on the comfort and readiness of the students and parents.
As students in 9th grade shift their focus from local community citizenship to a national focus, they are offered the opportunity to tour our nation’s capital. Students spend four days visiting the historical sites around Washington D.C. which allows for a more in depth appreciation for the inner workings of our government.
Students in 10th and 11th grade are offered the opportunity to further explore their roles at the national level by participating in Habitat for Humanity. Our GEMS students have completed service learning experiences in Taos, New Mexico; Atlanta, Georgia; Honolulu, Hawaii; Los Angeles, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Additionally, students tour several colleges and universities across the U.S. as they make plans to transition to a post-secondary experience.
In 12th grade, students are offered the opportunity to travel abroad to South Africa, China, France, Ireland, or Costa Rica. These experience support the development of their Capstone Project, which is a culminating thesis paper that explores a global issue of their choice.