One key part of Morgan Park Academy’s global curriculum is a school-wide Global Week each March. Students and teachers in grades 5-12 come together outside the classroom to share a broader range of learning experiences focused on language and culture, service, and sustainability. Lower School students explore the world’s countries and cultures closer to home.
This year’s experiences included trips to London and Paris, the Dominican Republic, New York City, St. Louis, Washington, D.C., and a Wisconsin nature center; and local explorations of cooking, swimming, and American Sign Language in March 2025.
Upper School
London & Paris
Our farthest-flung Project Week trip saw Upper School students and teachers embark on an immersive educational journey to London and Paris, exploring the rich cultural and historical heritage of these iconic European cities.
In London, students marveled at landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London. A visit to the National Gallery enhanced their appreciation for art history, while a walking tour along the Thames River and through vibrant areas like Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, and
Leicester Square provided insights into London’s dynamic cultural landscape.
The experience was further enriched by visits to Windsor Castle and the West End theater — Mamma Mia! — offering a rich understanding of British royalty, history, and performing arts.
In Paris, after crossing the Chunnel via Eurostar rail, the adventure continued with the medieval beauty of Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Latin Quarter, culminating in a Seine River cruise and an ascent of the Eiffel Tower for breathtaking views of the city. Students enjoyed guided tours of the opulent Palace of Versailles and major Parisian landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Élysées, and the Louvre Museum, where they encountered masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, deepening their appreciation for art and history.
The experience offered a unique blend of hands-on learning experiences, historical exploration, and cultural immersion. From traditional fish and chips in London to a dessert-making class in Paris, students engaged with the culinary traditions of each city. Their trip ensured a holistic educational experience, fostering a deep, contextual understanding of the historical, cultural, and artistic legacies that shape London and Paris.
Dominican Republic
Project Week Dominican Republic was brimming with life, as our Upper School travelers tackled the adventure of a lifetime, exploring the beauty and culture of this gem of the Caribbean.
Students soaked up rich history and tropical sunshine on a journey through the D.R. that spanned rainforests, cities, and beaches. From whitewater rafting in Jarabacoa to crafting pottery in Santiago, they gained new perspectives and a profound appreciation for Dominican culture on a coast-to-coast adventure.
Additionally, this tour allowed students to participate in a traditional Dominican dance lesson, engage in a Jiu Jitzu class, and much more in an experience that truly had something for everyone!
New York City
Upper School students and teachers took a bite out of the Big Apple with a busy week exploring dozens of sites: the Statue of Liberty, Madison Square Garden, Times Square, Wall Street, the Empire State Building, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, St. Paul’s Chapel, Battery Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, City Hall, SoHo, Chinatown, Little Italy, Central Park, Lincoln Center, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Greenwich Village, Radio City Music Hall, and a Broadway Show.
Culinary Adventures
Upper School students experienced an extraordinary culinary journey during a Project Week excursion at The Chopping Block, Chicago’s top recreational cooking school, spending a week mastering the art of cooking under the guidance of professional chef instructors in state-of-the-art kitchens.
From hands-on cooking classes and demonstrations to learning about gourmet ingredients and kitchen tools, each day was filled with educational and entertaining activities. Students had the opportunity to explore various culinary techniques, create delicious dishes, and savor their culinary creations.
But the trip was more than just cooking; it also was about teamwork, creativity, and discovering new skills. Collaborating with their peers in the kitchen, students enhanced their problem-solving abilities and built lasting memories.
Swimming Safari
Upper School students built healthy habits and learned to become stronger and faster in the water during Swimming Safari, a Project Week experience focused on swimming and fitness at the Kroc Center. Working with dedicated instructors, students improved their swimming skills, practiced CPR, did yoga and fitness workouts, and learned about swimming techniques and safety tips.
American Sign Language
Upper School students and teachers dived into American Sign Language during a Project Week experience created with help from educators at the Chicago Hearing Society. Working on their language skills with morning and afternoon classes, our learners also enjoyed an immersion experience field trip to apply their new skills.
Middle School
Eighth Grade – Washington, D.C.
In line with our Middle School curriculum, eighth-graders explored Washington, D.C., during Global Week. Students visited the significant historical sites of our nation’s capital and considered the role of an American citizen in an ever-changing global world and how they, too, can effect change for our country.
Sites of interest, including memorials and museums, were framed within the greater context of our nation’s history, both those things that have demonstrated progress and those areas where there is still much work to be done.
MPA students and teachers also were honored to be selected for participation in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
Seventh Grade – St. Louis
Seventh-graders traveled to St. Louis to expand the scientific knowledge and understanding that has been built during their physical science class this year. Their experience did not disappoint when it came to journeying to the top of the Gateway Arch, where the students were amazed by the architecture and views from 630 feet above the Mississippi River. While in St. Louis, they visited famous sights such as The City Museum, St. Louis Science Center, the St. Louis Zoo, Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, and much more. The students will be able to carry many things that they learned to their American History studies during their eighth grade year.
Sixth Grade – Nature’s Classroom Institute, Wisconsin
Fifth- and sixth-graders spent Global Week at Nature’s Classroom Institute in Wisconsin, immersing themselves in the natural environment for ecosystem exploration and study, working together with their peers and learning about their role as a citizen of the earth from an environmental point of view.
Lower School
Fifth Grade – Nature’s Classroom Institute, Wisconsin
Fifth- and sixth-graders spent Global Week at Nature’s Classroom Institute in Wisconsin, immersing themselves in the natural environment for ecosystem exploration and study, working together with their peers and learning about their role as a citizen of the earth from an environmental point of view.
Fourth Grade: Sweden and Pakistan
Third Grade: Thailand and Ireland
Second Grade: Japan and India
First Grade: Italy and Germany
Kindergarten: Mexico and Portugal
PreK-4: Malaysia
