Stanbridge Academy
  • About Us
    • From the Head of School >
      • Covid Safety Plan
    • Our Mission & Philosophy >
      • What makes Stanbridge unique
    • Our Students >
      • Dawson's Story (HS)
      • Tyler's Story (MidSch)
      • Bence's Story (Elem)
    • Our Alumni >
      • Laura's Story (Class of 2008)
      • Lana's Story (Class of 2011)
      • William's Story (Class of 2012)
      • Sarah's Story (Class of 2013)
    • Our Teachers
    • Our Admin & Support Staff
    • Our Trustees
    • Our Donors
    • FAQ
  • Academics
    • Elementary (K–5)
    • Middle School (6–8)
    • High School (9–12)
  • Programs
    • PostSecondary Portal >
      • PostSecondary Additional Info
    • Experiential Learning
    • P.E. & Athletics
    • Visual & Performing Arts
    • Speech & Language
    • Counseling
    • Technology
    • Afterschool & Summer School
    • Student Leadership & Community Service
  • Admissions
    • The Admissions Process
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Inquiry Form
  • Resources
    • Contact Us
    • Calendar & Events
    • Bulldog Blog
    • Bridge Blog >
      • Post-Secondary Events
    • A.S.K. Series
    • Common Ground
    • SPA Spot
    • Parent Portal
  • Support Us
    • Gala2023
    • Donate Online
    • Give by check or phone
    • Donate stock or give through a DAF
    • Donate goods or services
    • Bulldog Wear
    • Other ways to give

Experiential Learning

Oh, the places we go...

The experiential program has been a cornerstone of the Stanbridge curriculum for more than 30 years, and students in every grade participate in these off-campus experiences. Experiential trips enhance and complement classroom learning to promote students’ personal growth. Opportunities to improve communication and collaborative skills, promote mutual respect, improve organizational skills, set goals, and engage in appropriate challenges that help to build self-confidence and independence are all part of experiential learning.​

K–8 Experientials
Students in Kindergarten through eighth grade participate in age-appropriate adventures designed to captivate and engage them through hands-on activities. Past experiences have enhanced the study of the California Gold Rush by gold panning activities, addressed California science standards through visiting Camp Sea Lab in Monterey, and studied history and literature through sailing tall ships.

Short overnight experiences teach students how to care for themselves and their belongings, develop self-confidence and self-reliance, and provide students who struggle in the classroom an opportunity to thrive in an outdoor environment. Other experiences have included environmental education programs with local organic farms, hiking in nearby parks, and participating in cultural programs such as visiting museums, attending live musical performances, and seeing live theatre.

Recent examples of elementary and middle school experiential trips include reading books and plays then seeing live theatrical performances of the works; touring Recology while studying ecology in science class, as well as visiting the zoo while studying biology. Each year, our middle school students travel with their teachers to Westminster Woods for a multi-day trip that includes team-building workshops and self-confidence building challenge and ropes courses.
High School Experientials
High School students take part in adventure and service activities designed to compliment classroom concepts and challenge themselves. Past trips to NatureBridge in Yosemite National Park and the Ashland Shakespeare Festival have provided students with opportunities to integrate experiential and cultural activities into the curriculum. Carefully constructed scavenger hunts in urban centers provide experiences for our students to practice navigating mass transit systems and map reading, important skills for independence.

Additional past experiences include studying bay ecology while sea kayaking, applying math skills while building for Habitat for Humanity, learning about stream ecology while river rafting, learning properties of snow while camping, and practicing “leave no trace principles” while backpacking.

Every other year, Stanbridge juniors and seniors have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. for an immersive trip to our nation's capital. Partnering with CloseUp, Stanbridge students and chaperones embark on an unforgettable experience that incorporates lessons on history, civics, and government, while seeing the city's historic landmarks, meeting with government representatives, and interacting with students from schools across the country. 

Stanbridge Academy


School Hours

School Day hours
8:25 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.
Main Office hours
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Contact Info

515 E. Poplar Ave.
San Mateo, CA 94401
Main Office: ​650.375.5860
​Click here for map

Click below to...

Employees/Trustees

• Inquire about Admission
​• Access the Parent Portal
• View upcoming events
​• Log in to QuickSchools
Click below to login and access Stanbridge internal sites:
​• Stanbridge Staff site
• Stanbridge Trustee site

Picture
​Stanbridge Academy is fully accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)
​
and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) through the 2025–2026 academic year.
Picture

Stanbridge Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Stanbridge Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of our educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

​Website line icons from www.flaticon.com.   •   Copyright 2015–2022 Stanbridge Academy.
  • About Us
    • From the Head of School >
      • Covid Safety Plan
    • Our Mission & Philosophy >
      • What makes Stanbridge unique
    • Our Students >
      • Dawson's Story (HS)
      • Tyler's Story (MidSch)
      • Bence's Story (Elem)
    • Our Alumni >
      • Laura's Story (Class of 2008)
      • Lana's Story (Class of 2011)
      • William's Story (Class of 2012)
      • Sarah's Story (Class of 2013)
    • Our Teachers
    • Our Admin & Support Staff
    • Our Trustees
    • Our Donors
    • FAQ
  • Academics
    • Elementary (K–5)
    • Middle School (6–8)
    • High School (9–12)
  • Programs
    • PostSecondary Portal >
      • PostSecondary Additional Info
    • Experiential Learning
    • P.E. & Athletics
    • Visual & Performing Arts
    • Speech & Language
    • Counseling
    • Technology
    • Afterschool & Summer School
    • Student Leadership & Community Service
  • Admissions
    • The Admissions Process
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Inquiry Form
  • Resources
    • Contact Us
    • Calendar & Events
    • Bulldog Blog
    • Bridge Blog >
      • Post-Secondary Events
    • A.S.K. Series
    • Common Ground
    • SPA Spot
    • Parent Portal
  • Support Us
    • Gala2023
    • Donate Online
    • Give by check or phone
    • Donate stock or give through a DAF
    • Donate goods or services
    • Bulldog Wear
    • Other ways to give