During the 2025-26 school year at Poly Prep Country Day School, students balanced responsibilities, coursework and exams, resulting in a long and demanding academic year. To recognize students’ hard work and perseverance, ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th graders participated in end-of-year field trips throughout May, allowing them to take a break from academics and spend time bonding with their peers.
Ninth and 10th graders spent a day at Urban Air, 11th graders visited Six Flags and seniors traveled to Chelsea Piers. These day-long experiences gave students the opportunity to spend time with their peers outside of school and strengthened students’ sense of belonging within the Poly community.
Organizing these trips required significant behind-the-scenes planning. Stephen Bates, mathematics faculty member and Student Government advisor, helped coordinate the Upper School field trips after ninth-grade Student Government representatives proposed organizing trips for Upper School students.
“Earlier this year, the grade nine [Student Government] reps said that the ninth graders wanted a field trip somewhere to bond and have some fun together, and after polling the grade, Urban Air was a top choice,” said Bates. “Sarah Bates, Head of Upper School, suggested we do the same for the 10th grade.”
Bates said student interests and the need for a break from academics were priorities throughout the planning process.. “School is supposed to be fun, and team building is part of that fun,” he said. “It’s also a nice way to break up routines and de-stress before the end-of-year chaos builds in.”
The benefits of taking breaks from academics extend beyond temporary relaxation.“Taking time away from academic pressure helps you stay focused, motivated and mentally healthy when school is back in session,” according to an article published by Education Quest Foundation.
Field trips can also strengthen relationships among students and teachers. “Shared experiences lead to better rapport between teachers and students, as well as a deeper bond among classmates,” according to an article published by Early Education Station. “When students feel a shared bond with classmates, they are more comfortable exchanging information and helping each other learn as the school year progresses. ”
Jared Winston, Dean of Students, believes these trips help students connect outside the classroom environment. “Grade-level trips engage our students outside of the classroom in a way where they can let their guard down and just be kids together,” said Winston. “[That] can go a long way in increasing [a] sense of belonging.”
Winston also encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones during these experiences. “If there’s somebody that you don’t know, go up to them and say hi,” he said. “If there’s somebody that you’ve been meaning to get to know a little better, put yourself out there.”
