Why Field Trips Matter to HSAS Students

Saja Amrati, Grade 10, Staff Writer

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    At the High School of American Studies (HSAS) learning does not stop in the classroom. Common Sense takes a look at our classmates’ field trip experiences so far. 

    According to Votes for Schools, over 90 percent of primary and secondary students agreed that schools should provide field trips. At HSAS, students have one to two grade-wide field trips per year, and some clubs offer additional field trips. 

    Frosh students go to Sturbridge, Massachusetts, in the fall for a peek at the lives of early colonial Americans. Many freshmen say they enjoyed learning about the daily lives of the communities featured in Mr. Elinson’s U.S. History class. 

    Meirav Greenfield (‘29) comments that “seeing everyone in character and how life was back then really enhanced the learning experience and helped us realize what life was actually like back then.”

    Nia Rahman (‘29) notes that she “really liked the environment, and in class it was easy to remember the different aspects [of Sturbridge].”

   Some HSAS students also enjoy extracurricular field trips, such as the Drama Club’s recent bonding trip to see the play Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway.

   Whitman Barcalow (‘28) says, “The band was extremely talented and it was amazing to watch the play. It was more of a bonding than a learning trip, and we definitely bonded!”

    HSAS field trips appear to have helped students broaden their horizons and explore different states and the city they call home.

The Andrew Jackson Memorial sits in the front of the White House, a familiar stop on HSAS sophomores’ annual field trip.