A favorite amongst students and staff alike, Immersive Week is a week when students can dig deeply into one topic, learn through new experiences outside of the classroom, and form connections with peers across grade levels and divisions. During the 2024 Immersive Week, we had three courses travel abroad, one course travel domestically, three courses travel overnight in Washington State, and eleven courses use campus as home base with countless day trips.  

Internationally, the Experience Italy course spent seven days exploring Rome, Assisi, and Florence. A popular favorite from that trip was the gorgeous small town of Assisi and the tour of the Basilica of St. Francis. The Art of Seeing course enjoyed the French Riviera, Monaco, and Provence. Students spoke highly of their experiences learning more about Vincent Van Gogh and spending time in many of the places that inspired his art. The Café Olé course was able to explore both France and Spain. This group explored many famous sports including Sacré-Coeur Basilica, the Palace of Versaille, and the Guggenheim Museum; however, the diversity and quality of food – especially the frequency of baguettes– remained a highlight for many! 

Domestically, our Tavel Skills Chicago was able to make connections with fellow Sacred Heart students. They visited the Sacred Heart Schools on Sheridan Road, Woodlands Academy of The Sacred Heart, Josephinum School of the Sacred Heart. Students were able to eat, play, and learn along with students at each school. The Writers Retreat at Seabrook, Seas the Day on the Sound, Authentic Leadership and the 6th grade at Camp Colman in the Peninsula were all able to explore Washington State while learning new skills!  

Students who opted to start each day on campus spent the week baking delicious pastries, learning about the characteristics and themes of folk horror and developing the skills to insightfully analyze film, exploring local hiking trails, taking in a Mariner’s game, discovering the importance of communication when a chinchilla is brought and loaded onto a commercial plane, perfecting the art of stage combat with swords, learning to play the guitar, designing and painting a mural, crocheting a raven, making podcasts, signing Taylor Swift, and so much more!  

Click here for the full Immersive Week photo gallery. 

- Jennifer Nicol, Assistant Head of Academics