May Term

A recent addition to our Upper School curriculum, May Term is an extension of our commitment to student engagement and innovative, immersive learning experiences. May Term courses, held over a six-day period at the end of the academic year, provide for interdisciplinary teaching and learning for grades 9-11 while building connections and relationships between students and faculty across grades and disciplines. These learning intensives offer the opportunity for students and faculty to delve deeply into topics that extend beyond the regular academic curriculum. In addition to offering students the chance to study a specific topic in depth, many May Term courses include a community component that engages students beyond the FCS campus. May Term courses begin after Memorial Day 2026 and culminate in a division-wide symposium held in June of 2026 to showcase these unique experiences.

May Term is a required course for students in grades 9-11 and will be reflected on students’ transcripts. Some May Term offerings may include the opportunity for travel experiences for an additional fee.

Faculty collaborate across departments to offer courses that engage and challenge students to connect ideas and information in novel, meaningful ways. Classes offered have included the following: A River Runs Through It: The Confluence of Architecture and Water; Creative Writing and Photography; Data In the Community: Using Data Science and Information Visualizations to Understand Major Issues Affecting Philadelphia; Exploring the Wissahickon; Philadelphia in Transit: The City through the Eyes of Writers, Filmmakers and Jazz Musicians; Philly Meets China: A Cultural Exploration; and Stirring the Revolution: Exploring Identity, Tradition, and Power Through the Lens of Like Water for Chocolate.