Students in grades 6–12 at Harrisonburg’s Eastern Mennonite School venture out into the world for one-of-a-kind immersive learning experiences each spring. The four-day, three-night Experiential Term encourages scholars to plan special group adventures that bring shared classroom interests to life.
Past excursions have included a student-plotted historical tour around Philadelphia, a multiday canoe-camping expedition on the James River, and a road trip to explore cultural sites along the Southern Underground Railroad.
With a 10:1 student-teacher ratio, “we can provide out-of-the-ordinary educational experiences like our E-Term program,” says High School Principal Justin King. “And I think it’s one of the things we do best! Our students often talk about E-Term as a highlight of their time with us.”
This article originally appeared in the April 2026 issue.
