The Beyond the Classroom 2026 annual experience took place on Monday, September 14, allowing upper schoolers to engage in grade-level activities within the community. According to a September 28 report, the event was designed to help students explore curriculum aspects while developing an appreciation for outdoor places and strengthening peer relationships.
Ninth graders visited Big Bend, a 70-acre conservation site located along the Jordan River Parkway that serves as a green space for the City of West Jordan. During the visit, students participated in team building, planting, and a design thinking protocol intended to inspire park elements for city planners.
Tenth and fourth graders traveled to the Great Salt Lake for geological and biological science studies. These activities are intended to support the fourth graders' yearlong study of Utah and the Great Salt Lake. Tenth graders utilized a design thinking protocol to assist their fourth-grade buddies, who are currently developing aquatic robots for their study.
Eleventh graders traveled to the Washakie Cemetery near Plymouth, Utah, to participate in conservation work. They worked alongside tribal conservation biologists from the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone and Sagebrush Collaborative to plant native species at the site to help reclaim the space for the community and tribe's cultural heritage.
Seniors visited the new Museum of Utah, which opened to the public this summer. This visit occurred nearly four years after the students created exhibit pitches for the museum during eighth grade. The seniors explored the space and participated in a design thinking workshop focused on finding personal purpose to inspire their engagement and study.
The Beyond the Classroom program is an annual experience that brings upper schoolers together with peers and advisors for a day of learning in the community.
