Winter Term

Winter Term Great Outdoors

VIEW PHOTOS OF WINTER TERM 2024

Winter Term is an intense, three-week, one-topic course of study held each January. The goal of Winter Term is to put into practice the concept of “depth over breadth,” something that supports the school’s mission of providing the most meaningful educational experiences Brooks students will have. The single-course structure of Winter Term allows students and faculty to work together even more closely than they do in regular classes.

Students shared why they love Winter Term.

How does it work?

Each year, the Brooks faculty produces a master list of course proposals for Winter Term. The course concepts are the result of faculty brainstorming that’s focused on three different kinds of classes: experiential, topical and approach-based. Teachers were asked to dream big — in other words, “Think of your dream teaching moment; given boundless time and resources, what would you really like to teach?” And then, “How can we adjust that to fit the Winter Term model?”

In the fall, students sign up for a class that interests them. Each class has its own requirements, daily expectations and meeting times, however most of the Winter Term courses place an emphasis on collaborative teaching.

To create time in the school calendar for Winter Term, final exams for first-semester courses were moved to before the holiday break in December. Second semester won’t start until February — leaving January open for a month’s worth of Winter Term courses.

 

Scuba was unlike any experience I've ever had. It challenged me, taking me out of my comfort zone, but also allowed me to make amazing memories and close bonds with both my teachers and my classmates. I'm so thankful to have had such an amazing opportunity!

student on Winter Term course “The Art and Science of Scuba Diving”

 

Watch Highlights from a Winter Term Symposium

On campus the evening of January 21, 2022.

Winter Term News

Winter Term Triumphs

All of the Brooks School campus community celebrated Winter Term during our annual Symposium on Friday. Watch video highlights to enjoy the event from wherever you are, too!

Winter Terms Get Out of Town

Teachers take students off-campus, visiting museums, labs and landmarks, to bring them even deeper into their in-depth classes during this special term.

Winter Term is Back!

After a hiatus due to COVID, Brooks' beloved three-week session of intensive classes will be offered again this winter — with a bunch of favorite courses returning and some fascinating fresh classes added to the mix!

Job Sharing

In a Winter Term course about career pathways, students met with professionals who offered an inside view of their occupations and inspiring stories about how they got there.

Dusty's Last "Car Wars"

This Winter Term was the final time longtime teacher Dusty Richard headed the car repair class he dreamed up eight years ago. What's next for the course?

The Guest Stars of Winter Term? Alumni!

A dozen Brooks graduates helped make this year's intensives a success by sharing their expertise, fielding questions and inspiring students in classes on campus and off.

Sharing Winter Term With All

Brooks' annual Winter Term Symposium gave students a chance to show family and friends all the skills they've learned, sights they've seen, and work they've done for the past three weeks.

 

 

Take A Glimpse with Gabe


Welcome to Glimpses with Gabe, where I display your favorite parts of Winter Term at Brooks School!

From "Winter in New England," to a hotter "Raku 4.0," you'll get an insider's look and see what's really happening in Winter Terms.