PolyAcademics
Global Studies & Curricular Travel
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Upper School students enjoy opportunities to expand their learning and perspectives beyond the classroom. During the academic year, they embark on local curricular excursions within New York City, the tri-state area, and various locations within the United States.
Poly also offers Curricular Travel Paths, immersive trips abroad designed to help students not only deepen their language skills and understanding of diverse cultures, but to better understand their own relationship to, and impact on, the world.
In our Global Studies Certificate Program, students join a cohort of peers and faculty who are invested in sustainability as a contemporary, historical, and global problem. Students in the program are passionate leaders who think about and create solutions to challenges, and present innovative approaches to building a sustainable world.
In 2024-25, our Upper School Curricular Travel Paths offerings include three exciting international experiences:
- Students of French can immerse themselves in Francophone culture, traveling from Paris to the Mediterranean coast while honing their conversational speaking skills.
- For Mandarin-speaking students, our China trip combines language immersion with cultural exploration, from the Forbidden City to panda conservation in Chengdu.
- Students of Spanish can embark on a journey to Ecuador and Peru, where they’ll practice their language skills while discovering the unique ecosystems of the Galápagos Islands and the ancient wonders of Machu Picchu.
Each trip is designed to deepen students’ understanding of language, culture, and global issues through hands-on experiences and meaningful interactions.
Global Studies Certificate Program
Starting in Grade 9, students may begin participating in Poly’s Global Studies program. This new certificate program offers a four-year interdisciplinary journey, combining rigorous language study with curricular and co-curricular courses, and projects.
Throughout their time in Upper School, students blend coursework offered in the curriculum guide that is driven by their interests and the actions needed to address global challenges.
In Grade 12 advanced language students may also apply for the Global Studies Language Scholars Program, a transformative and culminating experience of their Global Studies and language coursework.
NOTE: Beginning with the Class of 2026, participation in the Global Studies Program will be noted on transcripts upon acceptance of the portfolio by our Faculty Committee and the Head of Upper School.
See below for more details and a timeline of our Global Studies Certificate Program by grade.
GLOBAL STUDIES CERTIFICATE PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Upper School students enrolled in the Global Studies Certificate Program follow a unique path that evolves over their time at Poly.
Global Studies Certificate Program At-A-Glance
- Upper School students build a cohesive portfolio of curricular and co-curricular work and develop a Senior Capstone project that emerges from the portfolio.
- Global Studies’ students pursue language study across all four years, with the highest level students – Global Studies Language Scholars – applying to travel abroad during their 12th grade year for an immersive experience. This prepares them for presenting their Senior Capstone project in the language of their choice.
- Participation in the Global Studies Language Scholars Program in 2025 will be noted on transcripts upon acceptance of the portfolio and designated on diploma upon completion of the Senior Capstone project.
Portfolio Options
Students in Grades 9-11 will focus their portfolio of work around the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using course work and co-curricular activities to address one of the following areas/tracks of the SDGs:
- ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Students complete work that addresses responsible use, preservation, protection and action related to our environment.
- INSTITUTIONAL SUSTAINABILITY
Students complete work that addresses just, equitable and resilient institutions for local/global collaboration, development, and protection of rights.
- SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Students complete work that addresses healthy and inclusive human communities grounded in accessibility.
Building a Global Studies Portfolio Begins
Students in Grades 9 and 10 show a commitment to learning a target language over 4 years and begin to build a portfolio, including written reflection that demonstrates a connection to the student’s interest in Global Studies.
This may be done through one of the following ways:
- Participate in a Service Learning Team (SLT)
- Participate in a Curricular Travel Paths experience
- Present class work related to sustainability at a monthly, public Global Studies Lunch
After committing to language study and beginning their portfolio through one of the above options, Grade 10 students will consult with the Global Studies Faculty Committee and work with their dean to identify a focus for their portfolio during Grade 11.
A Student-Driven, Focused Portfolio
After committing to language study and beginning their portfolio through one of the three options for Grade 9 and Grade 10, Grade 10 students will consult with a member of the Global Studies Faculty Committee and work with their dean to:
- Identify a focus for their portfolio (environmental, social, institutional)
- Plan for Grade 11 courses
- Submit a preliminary portfolio for feedback at the end of Grade 10
Students’ Global Studies work is rooted in thinking cross-culturally, transnationally, interdisciplinarily, and critically, about the world we live in. As a result, students become skilled cross-cultural communicators and collaborators.
After committing to language study and one of the noted tracks by the end of Grade 10, Grade 11 students will:
- Continue adding to their portfolio throughout the year
- Prepare a presentation for the Global Studies Faculty Committee at the end of the year that reflects on the portfolio and proposes a Senior Capstone project that builds off the portfolio
- Beginning with the Class of 2026, participation in the Global Studies Program will be noted on transcripts upon acceptance of the portfolio by our Faculty Committee and the Head of Upper School.
Global Studies Language Scholars
In the fall, Grade 12 advanced language students may apply for the Global Studies Language Scholars Program. A select few will be chosen for a fully-funded 2-3 week immersive language study abroad experience to prepare for presenting Senior Capstone in the target language.
- Interested applicants will submit their Senior Capstone proposal and interview with World Languages faculty in the target language.
- A small group of Global Language Scholars will be selected each fall and receive designation on their diploma.
- A small group of students will be selected to study abroad in a fully-funded, immersive language study in May while researching and preparing their Senior Capstone project.
- Students present their project in the target language–French, Spanish, or Mandarin/English–to a group of teachers and community members proficient in the language.
- Participation in the Global Studies Program will be noted on the diploma and in the Commencement program upon completion of the Senior Capstone project.