Is there an independent school that exposes children to non-European cultures and religions?

[Anonymous]

Sounds interesting. How does upper school travel to China, India, Costa Rica, and Senegal work? One trip? Four? How long? Doing what? Who pays?

[Anonymous]

OP: Clearly you have an axe to grind. I haven't ready every post but surely you've heard about how cautious we must be in the US about separation of Church and State. That said there are a variety of options reflecting the ever-changing and churning populations that move here and become a next generation of Americans. Give this country a chance to catch up with the shrinking global economy, be appreciative your child may learn in a place where such freedom and defense of he or she's indivdiuality is a goal that is at the heart here. Just as there were never Chinese language studies in past generations, and previously Japanese, and in the future Russian, and always have been Catholic, Episcopal, Jewish and purposefully religious schools this Nation, at its best, creates institutions to represent everyone. So please consider the ugly fashion you may be perceived to portray certain cultures. They deserve better representation than that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds interesting. How does upper school travel to China, India, Costa Rica, and Senegal work? One trip? Four? How long? Doing what? Who pays?

The program is optional, and the family pays, but many students participate, each choosing one country to visit. The program is about 3 years old and so far they have sent students to Senegal, Costa Rica and India, but not yet China. They do a mix of service work and cultural exchange for approximately 3 weeks. More details available here: http://www.holton-arms.edu/page.cfm?p=1659

[Anonymous]

Thanks, 21:30!

Not OP, but re 20:00's post, first remember that OP's question was asked in the context of private schools which, not being state-run, don't have the separation of church and state issue. And, secondly, even public schools can teach about religions from a comparative or secular perspective.

[Anonymous]

I totally understand the OP's concern and desire. I want the same for my daughter. I will just be picking the school I think will be best college preparation and supplement with travel, exposure to friends from various countries, reading materials at home, etc. I can not expect the schools to be everything. Sounds like WIS and GDS would be great starts, if private is the way you want to go. Otherwise, what about an elementary with language immersion. For high schools the IB programs at Richard Montgomery or BCC high schools might meet your needs. Without actually traveling and living in other parts of the world, I think it's extremely difficult in the US to get much of a global perspective, even with friends from around the world in the DC area.