The Grauer School's Spring Expeditions - Cultural Immersion in France and Switzerland

During 2023 Spring Expeditions week (April 24-28) at The Grauer School, all of our students traveled throughout California, around the United States, and abroad. We strongly believe that The Grauer School is among the best in the world at balancing college preparation with Expeditionary Learning. The school was founded on the idea of “learning by discovery” and provides students with the worldwide experience to become compassionate, service-minded citizens. Expeditionary learning is something we believe in so strongly that we cancel classes two full weeks each year in order to engage our students in humanitarian and ecological service. Our students share new experiences and develop lasting relationships with the other students and teachers traveling with them on their expeditions.

Our France and Switzerland Expedition, with chaperones Frida LeBreton, Jessi Brown, and Dr. Stuart Grauer, immersed our High School students in a centuries-old culture, education, and lifestyle that values depth, history, and authenticity. The students started their expedition in Paris with a river cruise, a picnic by the Eiffel Tower, and a visit to the Musée d’Orsay. From Paris, the students traveled by train to Chamonix, a city at the base of the Mont Blanc. Here, the students used crampons and ropelines to climb the famous Mer de Glace, a disappearing glacier that is tragically being affected by climate change. The students then traveled to Annecy to attend classes at the Ecole Bilingue Internationale de Haute Savoie and stay with host families of the French students. They visited an urban farm and a cheese making farm, and participated in a hands-on chocolate making workshop. Finally, they traveled to Switzerland for sightseeing and a tour of the International Museum of the Red Cross prior to departing for San Diego. It was an extraordinary expedition filled with memorable new experiences for our students!