Intensive Learning
For one week each March, regular classes are suspended for “Intensive Learning,” when Middle and Upper School students and teachers engage in an in-depth study of a specific subject, often involving off-campus research. This long-standing MFS tradition — which dates back to the mid 1970s — allows teachers and students to break out of the structure of formal class periods and traditional study for a time of experiential learning. Both students and teachers are encouraged to view themselves as life-long learners and students of the world around them.
Read summaries of Middle School 2024 Intensive Learning experiences
We are excited to share details of this year’s Intensive Learning Program, which will take place for one week in March. We are looking forward to a week that celebrates our Quaker practices through various lenses and allows students a chance to explore, learn, and bond together. The theme for this week will be Living Out Quaker Values in Our Community and our emphasis will be on recreation and study outside of the typical class day which allows students to better understand and step into Quaker leadership. After our time away from campus, we will come back to school to reflect on what we learned and to practice environmental stewardship through gardening.
On Friday, March 24 students will receive an orientation to IL and visit with local neighbor Toni Farmer to learn about sustainable gardening practices. They will explore environmental service avenues that can make a difference at home and on campus.
From Monday, March 27 to Wednesday, March 29, students will stay at College Settlement for camp activities and team building.
On Thursday, March 30, students will stay on campus for reflection on their trip and continue their sustainability work.
Finally, on Friday, March 31, students will have a half-day on campus which will culminate in the MS Service Carnival.
We are excited to share details of this year’s Intensive Learning Program, which will take place from March 24 to March 31. We are pleased to offer a week that celebrates outdoor adventure and allows students a chance to explore, learn, and bond together.
On Friday, March 24, students will participate in a division-wide service experience.
On Monday, March 27, students will remain on campus for grade-wide orientation to Intensive Learning goals and expectations. Students will participate in collaborative team building activities to set the tone for the week.
On Tuesday, March 28, students will travel approximately 2.5 hours by bus to the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) to enjoy an overnight outdoor experience. This will include some adventure, team building activities, and environmental education.
On Thursday, March 30, the grade will visit Elite Climbing in Maple Shade, a regular 6th-Grade IL tradition which challenges students to move beyond their comfort zone and support each other.
Finally, on Friday, March 31, students will have a half-day on campus which will culminate in the MS Service Carnival.
We are excited to share details of this year’s Intensive Learning Program, which will take place from March 24 to March 31 and offer students opportunities to explore, bond, and learn together. Our theme this year is “STEAMing through the Delaware Valley” as we explore elements of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math in memorable locations of our region.
On Monday, March 27 students will visit the Hagley Museum in Delaware, site of the former DuPont mill whose black powder supplied the Union Army in the Civil War and opened up routes for the growing railroads and other infrastructure projects in the 19th century. We will take a Water-Power tour and learn about how the power of water was harnessed to operate this and other mills along the Brandywine River. We will then do some hands-on history as we recreate a Factory System Workshop. This visit will both ignite students’ curiosity for the week and build on their studies in 7th Grade Quest.
On Tuesday, March 28 and Wednesday, March 29, students will travel to YMCA Camp Tockwogh in Worton, Maryland to enjoy an outdoor-focused overnight experience. This will include some nature exploration, adventure and team building activities, hiking along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline, and plenty of recreation and fun.
On Thursday, March 30, students will travel to the Brandywine Museum of Art in Chadds Ford PA, whose collection is displayed in part in a 19th century gristmill. Here we will enjoy a guided tour exploring many museum highlights with an emphasis on its world-class Wyeth collection. Following the tour and some free time for viewing the fine art, students will head back to NJ and enjoy an opportunity to create their own art in the form of a ceramic keepsake at All Fired Up in Collingswood NJ.
Finally, on Friday, March 31, students will have a half-day on campus which will culminate in the MS Service Carnival.
We are excited to share details of this year’s Intensive Learning Program, which will take place from March 24 to March 31. We are excited to offer a week that celebrates outdoor adventure and allows students a chance to explore, learn, and bond together.
On Friday, March 24, students will have no academic classes and have an off-campus MFS service experience. On Monday, March 27 students will participate in a historical walking tour of Philadelphia that will build on their studies in 8th Grade History.
On Tuesday, March 28 through Thursday March 30, students will travel to YMCA Camp Mason in Hardwick, NJ to enjoy a final middle school camping trip. This experience will include some adventure, team building activities, hiking, a service project, and plenty of recreation and fun.
Finally, on Friday, March 31, students will have a half-day on campus which will culminate in the MS Service Carnival.
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