France

To learn more about French culture, a group of 28 students and four chaperones embarked on a trip to France, where they immersed themselves in the French culture and the famous monuments.
Boston Latin School History teacher and chaperone Mr. Andy Zou states, “We really got to learn more about French culture through all their arts and their history and food and the language. […] We start[ed] in Paris and then eventually [went] into the French Alps to the city of Grenoble, where all [BLS] students exchange[d] language and culture with French students.”
Exploring the French school system was one way that the students learned about French culture. During courses at the French school, students were able to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles, which both play significant roles in French history.
Students were also able to participate in activities that helped them bond and exchange culture with the French students at the school.
According to Mr. Zou, “The most memorable moment was really when we actually started to leave as it was bittersweet that our students were no longer going to see the French students that they have bonded with and connected with culturally during our stay, but some of them return in October 2025 to be our students again when we host them.”

Ghana

Over February break, a group of 25 students and four chaperones embarked on a trip to Ghana, where they explored the history, culture and resilience of the country and its people.
The trip was centered around visiting historical sites connected to the Transatlantic Slave Trade, in addition to learning about the culture and experiencing the hospitality of the Ghanaian people. Students traveled to the capital city of Accra, as well as surrounding areas and examined how the country was able to recover despite their difficult past.
One of the highlights of the trip was visiting the Cape Coast Castle in Accra. This castle was one of many in Ghana that held enslaved people until they embarked for the Americas. It is even included on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage List.
Beyond historical exploration, students visited local schools, where they were able to connect with the local youth by donating supplies such as notebooks, calculators and pencils. Isabella Campbell (I) states, “[The] moment was so heartwarming […] as they did not see you as a stranger, but rather as another friend or family member.” This trip ultimately not only served as an educational experience, but also as an opportunity for cultural exchange and understanding.

Puerto Rico

This February break, Boston Latin School Science Program Director Ms. Kathleen Bateman led a group of 30 students in classes IV through II on a week-long trip to Puerto Rico, during which they immersed themselves in both the culture and nature of the island.
The trip focused on exploring the biodiversity of Puerto Rico, along with understanding its history. According to Annabelle Ahearn (II), students who take AP Environmental Science saw an overlap between what is taught in class and the knowledge gained throughout the trip.
Exploration of El Yunque National Forest was one way in which students were able to learn about wildlife and various ecosystems in the area.
Students were also able to walk around Old San Juan to learn about the history of the country. They also visited multiple historical sites and museums.
Ahearn comments, “The most memorable moment of the trip was when we did a day of sustainable farming and we got to learn about all the time and effort that goes into that.” As students participated in sustainable farming practices, they also learned about certain plant species such as Mangrove trees that serve as protectors of the island from hurricanes and tropical storms.