Intensive Theme

Field Study (FS) experiences primarily take place off-campus and involve overnight trips lasting more than one night. Intensive Theme  (IT) courses primarily take place on-campus, though many also have field trips during the school day. 

Intensive Theme occurs three times per year, towards the end of each trimester. Intensive Theme lasts SEVEN consecutive school days and finishes 1-2 weeks prior to the end of the current trimester. 

Students with classes at their home high school, or who are taking a career development course (these include Animal Care and Music Production, which are housed at SES) will still need to attend those classes during Intensive Theme. Though they may be excused, by their Intensive Theme teacher, a maximum of two days for field trips or big events as part of their Intensive Theme course at SES. (Theses absences are School Authorized.) 

YES! All courses earn students general elective credits towards graduation. A few of the courses, and ALL of the field studies, provide a physical education credit. 

The level of rigor, varies greatly between the different Field Study opportunities as well as the Intensive Theme courses that offer a Physical Education credit. When you open up an Intensive Theme course (via the menu below) you will see that under the description there is information about the level of rigor, given on a scale of 1-3.  

Rigor level 1: 

Moderate pace/distance hiking (NOT daily), cooler weather, consistent altitude

Rigor level 2:

Moderate pace/distance hiking every day, at least one strenuous hike, may need to carry gear, may kayak, may zip-line, reasonable weather, consistent altitude 

Rigor level 3:

Moderate to vigorous exercise every day, will be carrying gear, may kayak, may zip-line, may raft, hot weather, high or changing altitudes

There will be informational parent meetings at the open house night in September, as well as the Thursday parent-teacher conference night each trimester.

To register for a Field Study, you must make the first payment in MyPaymentsPlus. The option to make a first payment will appear after that field study has had its first parent meeting. Please note that field studies often have limits on the number of students that can participate so if a payment option is not visible in MyPaymentsPlus, contact the office to be put on a waiting list.  

A few weeks before Intensive Theme starts, students are asked to review what course they are registered for and they are also given the opportunity to change to a different course, provided there is room on the roster, if they so choose.

All Field Study payments are NON-REFUNDABLE, unless a replacement can be found.

Unfortunately, this does happen on occasion, usually due to factors outside of our control. For example, a Field Study could be cancelled due to unrest in the country to which students would be traveling, or in countries that would need to travel through or due to excessive airline cost or lack of available seats. Additionally, BOTH Field Studies and Intensive Theme courses could be cancelled due to low enrollment.   

Some course use district bussing, but to reduce cost, many rely on students carpooling. This requires that a parent has signed the student carpooling form, which is distributed in the fall of each school year. 

This form is required to be filled out if a student intends to enroll in a field study within the United States. 

Domestic Field Studies Forms

Note: This form may require a doctor’s signature.