Each spring, as the academic year winds down, learning at The Storm King School transforms into something immersive and extraordinary. Q-Term is a time when students break from routine and dive into hands-on experiences that challenge them to explore new ideas, develop real-world skills, and discover new interests and passions. During Q-Term, classrooms give way to waterfalls, art studios, robotics labs, hiking trails, global adventures, and much more.

Costa Rica: Survival and Leadership Skills in the Rainforest

This year, the arts came alive as students performed, painted, filmed, stitched, and animated their way through creative Q-Term courses. In Performing Arts Intensive, they blended acting, music, and dance—capped with a Broadway trip. Video Journalism students documented Q-Term in action, while Stop Motion Animation brought whimsical stories to life one frame at a time. Students in Crafting the Game and Swords & Wizardry collaborated to create original tabletop worlds, while others sewed custom fashion pieces in Sewing & Garment Construction or transformed school walls through Thinking Big: Mural Painting.

Building My Startup for Shark-Tank Investors

Nature served as inspiration in a series of outdoor Q-Term courses. Students in Destination Waterfall hiked to stunning sites like Bushkill Falls and reflected through art and writing. A small group earned Level 1 Kayaking Certification as they paddled the Hudson River. And in Costa Rica: Survival & Leadership Skills in the Rainforest, students trekked, cooked with locals, and developed outdoor leadership skills in this tropical paradise.

Other students chose to channel their energy into service, communication, and innovation. In Heart & Hands, they volunteered at local animal shelters, equestrian centers, and food banks. Crafting Your TEDx Moment guided students in public speaking and storytelling, while Building My Startup for Shark-Tank Investors broke down the entrepreneurial journey from concept to pitch. Juniors in Next Stop: College visited campuses and began preparing their applications, learning to navigate the admissions process with confidence.

Heart & Hands

Intellectual curiosity flourished as well. In The Artist’s Way, students tackled long-form creative writing. Forensic Science covered crime scene investigators, and It’s a Mystery! explored classic detective stories. Students interested in Chinese Modern History engaged deeply with the nation’s political evolution. Aspiring engineers made prototypes in Intro to Engineering, while coders advanced their skills in Robotics Jumpstart.

Q-Term 2025 wasn’t just a break from the usual schedule—it was an opportunity for students to gain practical skills, build stronger connections with peers and teachers, and discover new interests. What a fantastic way to conclude the school year!

Performing Arts Intensive