WinterMission

Four Days. Every Student. Every Teacher. Countless Possibilities.

A schoolwide interdisciplinary program, WinterMission ignites students' curiosity and expands our understanding of where and how we learn — and what it means to be a power for good in the world.

The WinterMission Experience

For four days every winter, students take part in a hands-on and immersive mini-term during which they encounter new subjects, skills and ideas that challenge them to explore the School's mission in unexpected ways.

WinterMission 2026 offered 48 different team-taught courses, including:

New York City Adventure: Culture, Community and Cuisine
Students experienced an unforgettable itinerary blending history, arts and community engagement.
Into the Woods and Thin Air
Hike the Hudson River Valley in the middle of winter. Students climbed mountains and walked along trails amidst dense woods. They learned about the geological history of the Hudson River Valley, forest bathing and environmental stewardship.
I Have a Bridge to Sell You: Exploring the Brooklyn Bridge
Bridging the gap between history, urban life and engineering, this look at the 150-year-old Brooklyn Bridge, from numerous literal and figurative vantage points, examined how the bridge reshaped the city of New York and became an international icon.
Scuba Certification Course
This scuba certification program inspired students to discover the beauty and complexity of the underwater world, equipping them to use their experiences as a force for positive environmental change. This course, run in partnership with SCUBA NY, provided students with phase one (academics) and phase 2 (pool/practical) of the certification process.
Hand Tools to Shop Tools: A Woodworking Primer
Learned woodworking principles, project planning, how to use hand and power tools, and finishing techniques.
Guitar Works
A deep dive into all things guitar-related, this hands-on course covered best practices for recording versus live performance and explored different types of amps, pedals and pedal-board configurations. Students had a Zoom Q&A with Mike Meadows, co-band leader of the Eras Tour and longtime utility player for Taylor Swift, in addition to a field trip to luthier Alex Glasser’s shop.

At a Glance: WinterMission 2026

WinterMission 2026 Photo Gallery

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Dive Deeper

List of 11 news stories.

Middle School Students Learn Beyond the Classroom During WinterMission

Upper school math teacher Andy Newlon brought a longtime interest to her first WinterMission session: stained glass.
Upper School Students Embrace WinterMission

Now in its fourth year, WinterMission offered a refreshing opportunity for upper school students to try something new.
Middle School Students Embrace New Challenges During WinterMission

For middle school teachers Tang Di and Vicente Saavedra, there was no question about their favorite moment from their WinterMission course, Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Art: “When students held up their final projects for a group shot. They looked so happy and proud of their creations.”
Third Annual WinterMission Sparks New Interests

Call it WinterMission kismet. Faculty members Adrian Sas, upper school media arts teacher, and Aaron Dean, upper school French teacher, bonded over their shared love of New York City, and their mutual admiration for the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.
Discovering New Passions: WinterMission 2024

During the pandemic, some people baked bread to pass the time. Upper school Spanish teacher Allison Eggleston cooked up a different hobby: learning all about sustainable fashion.
Exploration Takes on New Meaning During WinterMission

The harmonious collaboration that has kicked off WinterMission 2024 in the Middle School is music to the ears of Katie Meadows, middle school performing arts coordinator, and Jason Reiff, middle school performing arts teacher.
WinterMission Debuts 17 New Courses

The second annual WinterMission is two weeks away and like last year, the four-day session is designed to give students new horizons to explore.
Middle School Students Embrace WinterMission With Their Might

They learned to scuba dive. They created restaurants. They solved crime. They discovered the intricacies of hip-hop and the joy of board games. They studied the influence of social media, examined the hidden stories of everyday foods, and explored the Rivertowns.
Students Dig Into the Science of Elite Performance

Why do some people rise to the challenge while others crumble under stress? What does it take to be “clutch,” and how do we avoid succumbing to pressure? What can science tell us about performance in these difficult moments?
WinterMission Takes Off in the Upper School

From the clanging of tools to the dramatic rhythm of flamenco music and the whirring of stand mixers, the upper school campus was abuzz with the launch of the four-day WinterMission program.
WinterMission Launches January 2023

Imagine collaborating with students in Malawi on a publication, studying classical architecture on the streets of New York City, bonding over common themes found in dystopian literature, or taking your class clown skills to the next level with lessons in stand-up comedy.