Winterim

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Winterim?

  For three days in January, the upper school suspends the normal school day in order to challenge students through various non-traditional, experiential programs called Winterim. Winterim provides opportunities to fulfill the school’s mission through exploration in academics, arts, outdoors, and athletics. Enrichment opportunities are also offered through cultural exchanges, community service, and internships.

• My child is slated for a course different from registration. How does this happen?

  Some courses didn’t make, so someone who registered before you might have bumped you out of a course. The bumped student is then placed in either the second or third choice.
  
  Some waitlists opened up. Students are automatically moved into the course he/she waitlisted when this occurs.

• Who participates in Winterim?


  Participation is required of ALL upper school students, in grades 9-12. The attendance policy for Winterim applies just like any academic day.

• Who pays for Winterim courses?

  The cost of Winterim courses is not included in tuition. The price of individual Winterim courses varies. A course requiring travel may cost over $1,000, while local courses can range from $0-$200. Great effort is taken to provide valuable and exciting educational experiences at reasonable costs. Parents should discuss course offerings with students to ensure participation in a course that is interesting to the student and manageable for the family budget.

• Can my child repeat a program from a previous year?


  Since the purpose of Winterim is to challenge students to expand their knowledge beyond present experiences, students are not allowed to repeat Winterim programs. For example, a student who traveled to New York last year will not be able to do so again this year. Remember that the purpose of Winterim is EXPOSURE to new things. The exceptions to this are the following courses: Service Learning trips, Internships and Choosing to Serve.

• 
Who can travel?

  Out-of-state/country travel is open only to grades 10-12. Students in grade 9 should register for a local/in-state course.

• My child plays a sport that is in season during Winterim, what are his options?

  Options vary from sport to sport. Some teams will participate in a specific team-focused Winterim. Some teams must choose a local course during the day in order to have practice and games in the evening. Some teams have no restrictions or requirements during winterim. If you plan to play a winter sport, before you register for Winterim, you should contact the coach directly to determine if any mandates are set.

• May I travel as a chaperone on my child's winterim?

  All Winterims, particularly Winterim trips, are fun and engaging experiences for students because they nurture and challenge each student to grow and develop as young adults in unique settings. The experiences encountered on Winterim trips are specifically designed to allow your child to safely explore the surrounding world with friends, teachers, and mentors. Because introducing a family member into that dynamic changes the learning experience for the whole group, we do not use parents who are not also Brentwood Academy staff or faculty as chaperones during Winterim. This unique opportunity to explore their world without parents, but with guidance from trusted faculty, allows for tremendous personal growth in each student. Upper school faculty carefully choose chaperones for the trip who will help and encourage each student. There is a rigorous process for choosing chaperones, who have some current or former working relationship with Brentwood Academy and have undergone a thorough background check.