The fact that Proctor's trimesters are entirely distinct terms (U.S. history, for example, is three trimester credits) makes the off campus programs work. This week, as we plunge into the winter term, we welcome back 23 students from the fall term on Ocean Classroom, 8 from Proctor in Spain and 3 from our sister school in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. They were called forward in Tuesday's assembly and asked to comment about their experiences.

 

It's a safe bet they'll rave about these programs! The significance of experiential programs to the overall Proctor experience can't be exaggerated; the vast majority of students spend at least one term away, and many enjoy multiple terms off campus. Today, 10 students are preparing for a term in Segovia, 10 are looking forward to touring the Southwest on Mountain Classroom and 2 are heading off to The American School in Tangier, Morocco.

 

This human transition yields a refreshing sense of newness to each term, but even for those who were here in the fall, there are new electives and new sections of continuing courses. We start up fast!

 






The transition to academics can feel intense, particularly for those returning from a term away....like Anne (front) and Garrett (left) who are offering examples of capitalistic behavior in Economics.

 

While the volume of homework seems great, some initial classes include a quick review of critical material mastered in the fall course.

 

A ceramics class brings together novices learning to throw their first bowls and experienced artists like Mackin, who transferred from another prep school to Proctor this year specifically due to the strength of the arts. He's visiting Rhode Island School of Design next week.

 

Students who studied forestry this fall are teaching new-comers a crash course in dendrology (tree identification.) The experienced students will receive the grade their tutees receive on a test coming soon. Today, however, we take a break to cut Christmas trees at a stand planted at the east end of Proctor woodlands.