George Walton Academy upper school students start the new year with learning experiences that depart from the norm as their academic curriculum is paused and they discover new ideas, places, and opportunities. GWA Bulldogs are traveling abroad, working as interns, participating in engaging courses on campus, serving the community, and exploring local points of interest throughout our Winter Term. Students may choose one of three options for the two-week session: travel, internships or capstone learning experiences (courses).
Our Winter Term courses include Life Skills, Community Service, Mythology, Shark Tank, Atlanta Experience, Exploring Walton County and Beyond, and Brain Games. Each course is a full-day experience, and with their assigned group, all students will participate in every course offered. Teachers have planned a variety of activities designed to engage students as they work with others to create a product and presentation for the Shark Tank judges, elevate their critical thinking skills, delve into history at the Atlanta History Center and the Fernbank and Carlos Museums, learn how to plan and budget for an event, bake cookies from scratch, get creative while exploring ancient mythology, learn improv at On Stage, visit nearby colleges and serve others at local senior residences and work at F.I.S.H.
Students are busy gaining real-world knowledge during their Winter Term internships. This option is open to any junior or senior and they must secure their internship in their field of interest. This year we have 124 students participating. You will find our students working in law offices, municipal offices, medical practices, public schools, retail companies, construction and design firms, and with event organizers, to name a few. We are grateful to the businesses and organizations that provide our students with the opportunity to explore a potential career choice. Many of our former students have credited their Winter Term internship with their decision to pursue a field of work or their decision not to.
Winter Term 2025 trips will provide engaging learning opportunities for upper school students in Peru, South Korea/Japan, and France. Our 42 travelers will explore culture, cuisine, arts, architecture, history, nature, science, technology, and more during their excursions. Students visiting Peru will complete service learning projects and leadership development, and visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Machu Picchu. Those traveling to South Korea will visit the DMZ, the N. Seoul Tower and Observatory, Samsung Innovation Museum, and in Japan, they will go to Electric Town, JAXA Space Agency, and the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. The group traveling in France will explore famous sites in Paris, Lyon, the Alps, and Geneva, and take in the view of Mont Blanc. Additionally, five students are participating in our exchange program in Spain and France.
The benefits of the Winter Term experience extend beyond the value of the courses, trips, and internships. Within each activity, each day spent in a new place, or work done in the real world, students are operating outside of their comfort zone, learning to collaborate in new ways, meeting new people, and meeting daily challenges with confidence. These soft skills will serve them well as they move into adulthood.
While Winter Term gives students a break from their regular studies, this invigorating start to the spring semester supports the virtues of George Walton Academy’s mission “to inspire lives of intellectual curiosity, integrity and purpose.” We look forward to having all students back on campus and learning about their adventures.
John D. Marshall
Head of School
