All-grade retreats are a special opportunity for new and returning students alike to build relationships with teachers and peers. Retreats can be many things; some find them fun and exciting, others dread them, and they can also be a source of apprehension. Nevertheless, student participation and engagement in these retreats can affect and improve the experience.

Next year, students will attend a mandatory grade-level retreat before the school year begins. SPA prioritizes taking every grade on retreats but each typically occurs at a different time throughout the year (for example this year, the sophomore retreat was moved to January).

The goals for these retreats are to build community, have fun, make stronger connections with new and old students and faculty, and learn more about each grade’s environment. Moving the all-school retreats to before classes start is an opportunity to strengthen the community and establish a healthy school culture before the school year begins.

Many different faculty members collaborate on planning retreats, including the deans and grade-level advisors. There is always a lot of
thought put into planning and executing these retreats. In doing so, the faculty and administration encourage feedback from students to determine areas of improvement for future retreats.

Each grade-level retreat is designed to serve an intended structure.

According to US Dean of Students Stacy Tepp, the freshman retreat’s goal is to discover one’s identity, the sophomore retreat aims to learn
more about their role as a member of a community, the junior retreat digs deeper into leadership and serving as a role model, and the purpose of the senior retreat is to focus on legacy and leadership.

When students understand the goal for each retreat, they can strive to achieve it and make the most of it. This makes the retreat meaningful and gives it a distinct purpose.

Tepp strongly encourages students to use these retreats to their fullest extent: “These retreats are whatever you make of it.”

Tepp’s words greatly express the meaning of these retreats. Retreats offer a fun opportunity for participants to get more in-depth with the community. They will only work alongside those who allow it to serve its purpose.

The more students who participate in these retreats with an open mind to this opportunity, the more effective it will be for them to achieve the goals that these retreats aim to accomplish. The change to hold the retreats before the beginning of the school year is a chance to start the year off right, with a focus on improved community relationships and a respectful and inclusive school culture.

This story was originally published in the May 2024 issue of The Rubicon. It is being reprinted just before the return-to-school retreats.