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. 
by Mistral Dodson | Nov 25, 2024 | Uncategorized
Empowering Girls to Lead, Grow, and Thrive
Here we recognize the unique challenges girls face in traditional school environments. Our intentionally small, multi-aged classrooms eliminate the typical pressures of middle school—like navigating boy/girl dynamics—and replace them with opportunities for collaboration, mutual respect, and leadership development.
Here, friendships are built on curiosity and teamwork rather than labels or expectations. Instead of focusing on who’s dating whom, our students focus on solving real-world problems, leading service initiatives, and growing into confident, compassionate leaders who are ready to take on the world.
Girls Who Lead, Together
Our girls don’t compete for attention—they thrive as equals, innovators, and changemakers alongside their peers. Whether it’s working on STEAM projects, leading school committees through our Early Act Club, or exploring the outdoors during multi-day trips, they are encouraged to lead with confidence and courage.
At Phoenix, girls:
- Discover their voice: Through project-based learning and leadership opportunities, girls learn to think critically, speak confidently, and take charge.
- Excel in STEAM: They engage in hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math projects, showing them there are no boundaries to what they can achieve.
- Foster mental wellness: Our whole-child approach prioritizes emotional growth, helping girls navigate adolescence with resilience and a sense of self-worth.
- Collaborate, not compete: The pressures of cliques and labels are replaced with collaboration and shared success in a community where every student matters.
Why It Matters
Girls deserve a space where they can lead without limits, explore without fear, and grow without barriers. At The Phoenix School, we’re redefining education for girls—because we believe every child deserves the chance to thrive, not just survive.
Let’s prepare your daughter for a world that needs her talents, ideas, and leadership.
by Mistral Dodson | Nov 22, 2024 | Leadership, Social Emotional Learning
As we prepare students for a dynamic and complex future, our commitment to cultivating essential life skills remains unwavering. Conflict resolution is one of the most pressing skills needed in the modern workplace, which, according to experts, is set to become more crucial than ever for leaders and teams alike.
The Growing Need for Conflict Resolution Skills An article from the Harvard Business Review titled 9 Trends That Will Shape Work in 2024 and Beyond highlights that conflict resolution will be a must-have skill for managers. Due to various ongoing crises — including geopolitical tensions, labor strikes, climate change, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) challenges, and significant election cycles — workplace conflicts are at an all-time high.
When conflicts arise, they not only hinder individual performance but can also disrupt team dynamics, making it essential for workplaces to foster safe and collaborative environments. Conflict resolution is not inherently intuitive, and organizations that have avoided discussing contentious topics in the workplace may find themselves at a disadvantage.
On the other hand…
Empowering Future Leaders Our project-based learning model equips students with the skills they need to succeed, including effective communication and interpersonal problem-solving. By fostering open discussions, team projects, and leadership exercises, we ensure that students learn how to manage conflicts constructively. These experiences lay the foundation for them to become empathetic leaders capable of guiding teams through challenging situations with poise and insight.
A Proactive Approach Much like leading organizations that are investing in conflict-resolution training for their employees, we prioritize giving our students real-world experiences that teach them to recognize differing perspectives, engage in active listening, and build consensus. Through hands-on mentorships and collaborative learning, The Phoenix School readies students to navigate complex social dynamics—skills they will carry forward into their careers and communities.
As we look ahead to 2024 and beyond, the ability to address and manage conflict won’t just be an advantage; it will be essential. The Phoenix School’s commitment to developing confident, capable problem-solvers ensures that our students will thrive as the leaders of tomorrow.
