7th graders left no stone unturned in Washington, D.C. Throughout the week, students visited a combination of memorials, monuments, museums, and government buildings. What made this trip especially meaningful was that students were not simply visitors—they became teachers themselves. At each site, students delivered prepared tour guide speeches, sharing historical background, architectural details, and the significance of each location with their classmates.

Students visited the Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, WWII Memorial, MLK, Jr. Memorial, and FDR Memorial. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was particularly moving. While exploring the famous black granite wall, students interacted with an Honor Flight group from Wisconsin. Our students eagerly welcomed the veterans home—a tradition taught to them by our official tour guide—and thanked them for their service. It was an incredibly moving and memorable experience for everyone involved.

When students were not visiting monuments, they explored several museums and famous sites, including the National Museum of American History, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Museum of Natural History. There, they encountered many famous artifacts ranging from Michael Jordan’s jersey to the First Ladies’ gowns. Perhaps most impactful was the students’ time at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. They moved thoughtfully through exhibits as they followed the chronological story of the Holocaust, encountering personal artifacts, photographs, and survivor testimonies. Beyond museums, students explored George Washington’s home and the grounds of Mount Vernon before sitting in Ford’s Theatre, where they received a lesson from a Park Ranger.

Students also experienced the heart of the federal government during a guided tour of the United States Capitol. Along the way, they caught glimpses of the White House and the Supreme Court of the United States, helping them connect classroom learning about the branches of government to the real-world institutions that shape our country today.

While the days were packed with educational experiences, the evenings brought plenty of fun and memorable moments. One night, students attended a Washington Nationals baseball game, where they proudly sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh-inning stretch. The students’ excitement reached a new level when their performance was featured on the stadium jumbotron! On another evening, students explored the historic streets of Alexandria during a lively ghost tour, learning local legends and stories from the city’s past.

The trip to Washington, D.C. was filled with meaningful learning, unforgettable experiences, and countless memories that students will carry with them for years to come.