Fifth Grade Travels to France

The France trip is one of the highlights of Lower School. Fifth graders travel with their classmates and teachers to France for two weeks. The group left on March 30 and returned April 11, making core memories during their almost two weeks in Paris.

When the group arrived in Paris on March 31, they got settled into their hostel before taking a walk in hopes of keeping everyone awake until bedtime. They walked along the Canal Saint-Martin and saw the Place de la Bastille, Place des Vosges, and Hôtel de Ville. 

The following days included educational and cultural site tours. They went to Notre Dame and learned about why it was built, as well as the Roman origins of Paris. They visited the Musée du Moyen-Age, the Musée de l'Homme, and the Musée de la Libération. They, of course, went to the Eiffel Tower and even went to the very top. The teachers even used the tower to do a math lesson. The group went to the Gare d'Austerlitz and applied some of the things they’ve studied in school, learning about the monarchy and the Treaty of Versailles. The students went to the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, and the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. One of the highlights was Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, a massive science museum.

“My favorite thing was the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie because it was interesting. And I also loved getting ice cream, the ice cream was so good.” -Kirsten

The group took a trip to La Rochelle and spent the night. They explored the city and went to the beach. 

The students also got to play French games and taste typical French snacks, cheeses, and appetizers. They went shopping and learned how to make croissants. They rode the train and learned how to navigate the public transportation system of France.

“I thought it was a fun trip. It felt kind of normal to be there and speak French even though I had never done it before.” -Elliot

The fifth-grade France trip is a culmination of students’ experience in Maternelle and Lower School. It’s a celebration of all they have learned and a chance for them to utilize the language they have been speaking for many years. The trip aligns with both the program and presence pillars of the strategic plan, creating meaningful educational experiences and connecting students to other places around the world.