Academics
Intersession
Practice Doesn't Make Perfect, Exploration Make Explorers
Intersession gives students opportunities for exploration, risk-taking, travel, community engagement, and leadership, allowing them to deepen and expand their knowledge in an in-depth and experiential way.
Over the course of eight days between semesters, Intersession gives students a chance to dig into subjects they are already interested in or investigate a new area of possible interest. Intersession is also designed to be fun and engaging, creating space for students to discover new interests and explore subjects or themes in a way that cannot be accomplished during the normal school day.
Intersession courses are decidedly “real world” in the sense that the learning or experiences take place in real-world environments and teach real-world skills: everything from scientific observation in nature to cooking to backpacking or camping; from yoga and meditation to community service and engineering and computer programming projects. Students may choose an eight-day intensive Intersession course, or select two shorter Intersessions.
Each year, we offer a wide variety of on-campus and local options, and students also have the opportunity to participate in travel Intersessions through the Passport Program.
Over the course of eight days between semesters, Intersession gives students a chance to dig into subjects they are already interested in or investigate a new area of possible interest. Intersession is also designed to be fun and engaging, creating space for students to discover new interests and explore subjects or themes in a way that cannot be accomplished during the normal school day.
Intersession courses are decidedly “real world” in the sense that the learning or experiences take place in real-world environments and teach real-world skills: everything from scientific observation in nature to cooking to backpacking or camping; from yoga and meditation to community service and engineering and computer programming projects. Students may choose an eight-day intensive Intersession course, or select two shorter Intersessions.
Each year, we offer a wide variety of on-campus and local options, and students also have the opportunity to participate in travel Intersessions through the Passport Program.
Recent Intersession Courses
In past Intersessions, students have:
- Produced short documentary films
- Composed, recorded, and mixed original music
- Designed, built, and delivered handmade items to local nonprofits
- studied coastal ecology while performing service work in Northern California parklands
- Created murals, jewelry, metal sculpture, watercolor paintings, and more
- Combined mornings of CrossFit exercise with afternoons of cooking and baking
- Learned the basics of sports journalism and broadcasting
- Completed study or service in countries around the world through the Passport Program
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Sonoma Academy Is...
...the only private, independent, college preparatory high school in Sonoma County. On our beautiful campus nestled at the base of Taylor Mountain in Southeastern Santa Rosa, our students are able to explore their interests and passions in a rigorous and inspiring environment that develops a lifelong love of learning and prepares them for college and beyond.
Sonoma Academy admits students of any race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
