by Mistral Dodson | Apr 16, 2025 | TPS Travel Study Program
We turn out early today to prepare breakfast and meet the ferry that will take us to Catalina Island. It is a cold and blustery crossing under thick grey clouds, but to our delight, the sun welcomes us to Catalina. We trek up the hill from the harbor to find our quarters and get ready for our first snorkel.
Our CIMI scientist, Roxy assures us we will love it. She does not warn us about the difficulty of squeezing into our full body wet suits, but we help each other and are soon ready to launch. First we feel only the freezing waters, mind-numbing cold, but as our bodies warm cold sea water trapped by our wet suits we become comfortable. Searching endlessly for fish we feel liberated, lost in life undersea, leaving terrestrial above behind. Sattva loves watching her hands moving effortlessly past her goggles and tasting the salt on her lips. We are relaxed, buoyed by our wet suits as we bob up and down with the waves. Finally, after emerging onto the sandy beach, we collect on the dive deck to rinse, rinse, rinse our wet suits, stow our masks, snorkels, hoods, and flippers before fully transforming into land creatures again.
As dusk falls, we begin a climb to leave the lights of the camp far behind. Carrying only water bottles and flashlights we follow Roxy along a ravine, and trudge up the mountain for a spectacular view of the night sky. However, tonight the weather gods are being tricky. Cloud cover allows only a few stars to make themselves known at first, but soon mother nature concedes the sky to us. Roxy helps us identify the winter sky, Orion, Pleiadies, and Taurus, then tells us a story from her grandmother, an Inupiat native, about how Raven brought light to the world. That inspires us each to search the sky and choose a grouping of stars that we feel has a personal meaning. After we hike down, we put our tales to paper and share them; eight original bedtime stories that might, in time, become stories for our loved ones.
by Mistral Dodson | Apr 15, 2025 | Leadership, Social Emotional Learning
By Ella, Phoenix Alumna & Sophomore at the University of Tampa
When I was at The Phoenix School, college felt like a distant goal—something to think about later. Now, as a sophomore at the University of Tampa, I realize just how much my time at Phoenix shaped the way I navigate my academic and personal life today.
College is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. With hundreds of students in a lecture hall and so many opportunities competing for your attention, it’s easy to blend into the background. But Phoenix never let me be just another student in the crowd. It gave me the confidence to take initiative, ask bold questions, and advocate for myself—skills that are proving invaluable now.
One of the biggest challenges for women in college, especially in male-dominated fields, is having the confidence to speak up and claim space. Thanks to Phoenix, I don’t hesitate to raise my hand, challenge ideas, or take on leadership roles. I learned early on how to problem-solve, think critically, and stand firm in my abilities.
At Phoenix, girls aren’t just encouraged to lead—we’re expected to. Whether it was collaborating on projects, debating solutions, or taking risks in our learning, Phoenix instilled in me a sense of resilience and independence that I carry with me every day.
Now, when I face challenges in college—whether it’s navigating tough coursework, seeking out opportunities, or advocating for myself in academic and professional settings—I know I have the tools to succeed. Phoenix prepared me not just for college, but for life.
For current Phoenix students: Trust that what you’re learning now—inside and outside the classroom—is shaping your future in ways you might not see yet. But one day, you will.
by Mistral Dodson | Apr 11, 2025 | Uncategorized
Education doesn’t stop at the classroom door—it expands into the world. Our Travel Study Program is a hallmark of our experience-driven model, offering students unforgettable, immersive learning adventures that blend academic exploration, cultural connection, and personal growth.
From sailing a tall ship to Catalina Island, to navigating local ecosystems or engaging in service projects across the globe, our students take on real-world challenges, build confidence, and return transformed.
🌍 Why Travel Study?
Because children remember what they experience.
Because real learning comes from doing, problem-solving, and seeing through new eyes.
Because the world is our classroom—and every journey holds lessons in science, culture, empathy, and self-discovery.
🧭 On each trip, students…
✔️ Take responsibility as leaders and team members 
✔️ Journal and reflect daily, growing self-awareness
✔️ Engage in hands-on fieldwork tied to science, history, and geography
✔️ Return with a deeper sense of purpose, curiosity, and global citizenship
✈️ Recent destinations include:
At Phoenix, we’re not just teaching students what to learn. We’re showing them how to engage with the world—and who they can become.
🎒 Want to know what’s next on our map?
👉 Schedule a Tour or Contact Us to learn more about how our Travel Study program is changing lives. 
