Interim

Fifth Grade students travel to New Ebenezer Retreat Center near Savannah, Georgia. Students participate in activities including archery, fishing, and folk dancing. They visit Tybee Island Marine Science Center to learn about our coastal ecosystem and marine life. The students enjoy dissecting squid in the science center lab. The Fifth grade studies World War II so one of the highlights of the trip is visiting the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, where the students experience what it was like to be on a flight crew during World War II.

The Sixth Grade spends four days at the Mountain Trail Outdoor School (MTOS) in Hendersonville, North Carolina. They spend their days exploring and learning about the Southern Appalachians on 1500 beautiful acres. MTOS instructors lead students in small classes of less than ten and encourage full, positive participation. Classes take the form of hikes and stream exploration, where students focus on the flora and fauna of the region and search for macro invertebrates that indicate the quality of our water systems, then discuss issues relating to water usage and personal responsibility towards our resources. Other classes allow students the opportunity to challenge themselves on the high ropes and tower courses or participate in cooperative group challenges where students elevate their communication skills and learn to “think stronger” rather than to “shout louder.” Students keep detailed daily journals about their discoveries.

Seventh grade students bring their earth science Rivers unit to life when they visit the Chattahoochee watershed, collect and examine micro-invertebrates, and learn about the river systems and wildlife in the area.  They enhance their environmental education studies by visiting Providence Canyon, where they see first-hand how humans can impact the environment. They witness the power of erosion and how environmentally-conscious practices are essential in today’s world.  At Camp Timpoochee, in Niceville, Florida, the students go sea kayaking and study marine life at the beach and in the Choctawhatchee Bay just outside their front door. This trip helps to solidify their studies about the systems that support life as water flows from the Chattahoochee River to the sea.

The Eighth Grade travels to Washington D.C. each year, supplementing their social studies course on “Today’s World, America, and Me.”  In addition to visiting many national monuments, museums, and memorials, students get a glimpse into government and politics by meeting a Congressman and touring several government buildings.  For a taste of culture, students attend a performance at the Kennedy Center.  Each year, four students from Heritage are given the honor of participating in the laying of a Heritage Wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Ninth-Grade interim trip is an extension of the freshman biology curriculum.  Students visit the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center in Freeport, Florida where they explore marine ecology, marine biology, and the varying ecosystems of the Georgia coast.  Students have the opportunity to explore a natural, coastal dune lakes, breathtakingly beautiful nature trails, and one of the best state parks in Georgia.

The Tenth Grade will explore various sites in the southeast as an extension of their social studies curriculum. It is an outstanding opportunity for the students to see and live some of the American History they are learning. The students experience interactive learning activities in history, music, and literature along their route to Charleston, South Carolina. 

Each year, the Junior class takes a tour of colleges in the Southeast, visiting a variety of different colleges and universities in the region. The students often meet up with Heritage Alumni for a tour of that former Heritage student’s campus. Students benefit from personal visits to multiple campuses as they begin thinking about where they would like to apply for college during their senior year. This year, our students will visit Furman University, UNC - Greensboro, Wake Forrest University, Appalachian State University and the University of North Georgia. 

The Senior class goes to Amelia Island each year for a time of camaraderie as well as personal reflection on where they have been and where their lives are heading.  The trip includes a day-long excursion to Cumberland Island, where students explore the island’s flora and fauna, its historical ruins, and the wild horses who freely roam the island.