That's So SA
That's So SA

Retreats Build Community

Sending students on grade-level retreats has been a Sonoma Academy tradition for many years, and after two years of complications and delays (thanks, covid!), we have finally returned to a more familiar retreat routine! For the last three days, all of our students have had the opportunity to come together with their classmates on and off campus to connect, enjoy social time, and get ready for an exciting and fun school year. 

Retreats offer students a celebration of life beyond the classroom—an opportunity to get to know one another, to laugh, to work cooperatively, and to play. These are invaluable bonding experiences that help create a cohesive and connected class, which​ accelerates the students' ability to thrive in the classroom. While on retreat, students engage in a variety of "outside the classroom" activities together—whether doing a ropes course, hiking, paddling, or just playing and lounging around. 

One of the silver linings of the disruptions of the last two years is that we had the chance to refine and re-envision long-standing programs like retreats. This year, we are sending our ninth graders to take on a ropes course, followed by bonding time on campus; tenth graders will enjoy a day of picnic fun together in August and then have an overnight experience in the second semester; juniors will kayak and camp at Tomales Bay; and seniors will have a half day picnic today and then a rafting trip to the American River right before graduation in May. 

Retreats often set the tone for the year, and for the class. They create opportunities to make new friendships and deepen existing ones, to practice taking risks, and to show up in different ways. We see—and the students see in themselves and each other—different strengths and abilities ​that are not always easily ​apparent in the classroom, ​giving​ us all a more well-rounded view of one another. Retreats are also important bonding times for students with teachers, who participate fully in the retreat activities.
 
Most importantly, retreats are fun, and we think there's no better way to get the school year off to a great start. This year’s retreats were no exception, and we are looking forward to watching the students dig in to a new semester with deeper friendships, stronger confidence, and a can-do spirit. 


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2500 Farmers Lane 
Santa Rosa, CA 95404 
(707) 545-1770 
inbox@sonomaacademy.org
 

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.