“Travel is more than the seeing of sites; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.”
—Mary Ritter Beard
Making sense of the people and places from history, developing an appreciation for a wide range of cultures and geography, achieving a greater understanding of God’s creation…these are just a few reasons educational travel is valued by our school.
Throughout the course of a student’s time at KPA, he or she will be given the opportunity to participate in several trips which correspond to classroom learning.
In times past, scholars would traditionally participate in a “Grand Tour”—a tour of significant European cities—as a culmination of their classical education. KPA continues the tradition of the Grand Tour because we believe that it serves as an opportunity for students to make connections to the people, places, and events of the past that they have studied in their humanities courses throughout the duration of their time at our school. More than a vacation, this trip is capstone to our students’ education and is funded by tuition ensuring that all students can participate. We travel to Greece and Italy during the spring break of their junior year to visit some of the foundational sites of Western civilization in ancient Greece and Italy and to view the magnificent artwork and architecture of the Renaissance and beyond. A few of these sites of significance include:
Athens – home of the Parthenon, the famed hilltop fortress, and Mars Hill where the Apostle Paul revealed the truth to the Greeks about their “unknown god” (Acts 17)
Delphi – men from around the world would visit the famous Oracle hoping (in vain) to gain wisdom or glimpse into their future
Corinth – a large ancient Greek city and home of the church Paul helped establish; 1 & 2 Corinthians comes alive
Olympia – site of the ancient Olympic games
Florence – city of influence and stature during the Renaissance; home to many notable artists including Donatello, Botticelli, Michelangelo, etc.
Rome – birthplace of one of the largest empires in world history and a city of significance during the growth and development of the early church
The first weekend after school starts, our ninth grade class loads up and heads for a weekend adventure. The trip is full of fun memories and shared experiences, and serves as a time to solidify longtime friendships and create new bonds among the freshman class as they begin their high school careers at KPA. Ninth graders use the time during the trip to have plenty of fun and also to look for ways to be servant leaders as they move into the School of Rhetoric.
A trip to Washington DC is an opportunity to witness history in person and democracy in action. After spending the year studying modern history with a special emphasis on U.S. history, eighth grade students have the chance to visit some of the most important sites in our country. America’s capital city is a great place to:
Walk in the steps of one of America’s most beloved founding fathers at George Washington’s home in Mt. Vernon.
Contemplate the bravery of men who willingly committed treason against the king of England by signing their name on the Declaration of Independence while viewing the actual document in the National Archives.
Swell with patriotism while considering the exceptional courage and sacrifice made by many Americans when visiting war memorials.
Marvel at the architectural details of the buildings in the federal city whose classical beauty was designed to stand the test of time.
Think about the impact of decisions made in the Capitol building and the Supreme Court on a daily basis.
Other sites include: Library of Congress, Ford’s Theatre, Holocaust Museum, Smithsonian Museums, MLK Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and more!
In an effort to support learning and foster a love for history, Kingdom Prep’s 4th grade students travel to San Antonio to visit the Alamo. The tour of the Alamo comes at the close of the school year and brings to life the events being studied relating to the Texas Revolution. Through this experience, students begin to truly understand and appreciate the courage and ultimate sacrifice of so many that took part in the significant battle for liberty and freedom