PEREGRINATIO ACADEMICA

 

A Capstone Experience

One of the culminating experiences of the SCCS Rhetoric (High) School journey is the Peregrinatio Academica, an academic pilgrimage designed for 11th-grade students. Through international travel, students encounter the places, art, architecture, history, and ideas they have studied throughout their years at SCCS.

During the journey, students walk through ancient cities, stand inside historic churches and museums, encounter great works of art and architecture, and engage directly with the cultural and historical foundations of Western civilization. Along the way, students continue developing the habits of resilience, curiosity, gratitude, and thoughtful engagement that are central to a classical Christian education.

Greece & Italy

Our current planned itinerary includes travel through Greece and Italy, where students will visit significant historical, cultural, and religious sites connected to their studies in literature, history, philosophy, theology, and the arts.

Experiences may include:

  • Ancient ruins and archaeological sites

  • Historic churches and cathedrals

  • Museums and galleries

  • Guided educational tours

  • Shared meals and cultural experiences

  • Reflection, discussion, and community-building throughout the journey

The trip is led by SCCS faculty and designed to integrate closely with the curriculum students encounter throughout their SCCS education.

Learning Through Shared Experience

Travel creates opportunities for growth that cannot be replicated in a classroom alone. Students learn flexibility, responsibility, humility, and attentiveness as they navigate new environments together.

The shared experience of pilgrimage also strengthens friendships and deepens the sense of community within the class. Students have described the Peregrinatio Academica as one of the most meaningful and memorable parts of their SCCS experience.

Service & Ownership

As part of preparation for the trip, students participate in the Peregrinatio Service Program, which provides opportunities to serve the school and broader community in meaningful ways throughout the year.

This program is designed to:

  • Encourage personal ownership of the experience

  • Cultivate servant leadership

  • Help offset a portion of student travel costs

  • Reinforce the connection between service, gratitude, and learning

A Distinctly Classical Christian Experience

The Peregrinatio Academicareflects the heart of an SCCS education: learning that is rich, embodied, relational, and rooted in the pursuit of goodness, truth, and beauty.

Rather than viewing education as merely academic preparation, we seek to form students who engage the world thoughtfully, worship faithfully, and carry a deep love for what is true and beautiful into every area of life.

Looking Ahead

The Peregrinatio Academica is offered to SCCS 11th-grade students as part of the Rhetoric School experience. Specific destinations, itineraries, and costs may vary from year to year.

Families interested in learning more about Rhetoric School (SCCS High School) life are encouraged to connect with our admissions team or schedule a visit to campus.