What does the future of K-12 education look like? How can we prepare students for their future and not our past?
At Presbyterian Day School, we're not just asking that question, we're working on answering it by leading the way with an innovative approach to elementary education.
Our mission statement is the same as it was in 1949:
Presbyterian Day School strives to glorify God by developing boys in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man
Whether they are learning to draw, play an instrument, or shoot a basketball, boys love the hands-on, active, creative approach that we offer at PDS.
As a part of our newly launched Cultural Expeditions Program at PDS, we believe that giving students the opportunity to explore and grow in their understanding of their own culture, its history, and their nation’s capital is essential to developing their understanding of civic duty, their identity as U.S. citizens, and their ability to think globally. This trip is intended to immerse our students in the functions of our federal government, our nation’s history, and to experience one of the most important cities of the world.
5th Grade:
Nov. 5-11, 2022
6th Grade:
Mar 31 - Apr 6, 2023
The cost is $2250 covering flights, hotels, charter buses, tour guides, and chaperones. Food costs (except breakfasts) and souvenirs are excluded.
A $500 deposit is due at registration. The balance of your registration fee is due 30 days prior to the trip date.
Our goal is for every boy to experience the benefits of joining this program and preparing them to be a global citizen. Scholarships are available.
Afternoon Flight to Philadelphia
The Big Pedal Tour of Historic Downtown Philadelphia: Overwiew of Historic Philadelphia
Historical Walking Tour near Independence Hall
Constitutional Walking Tour
Independence Hall
Liberty Bell
Carpenter's Hall
Franklin Institute
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Tour of Gettysburg Battlefield
Monuments Bike Tour: Lincoln, Jefferson, JKF, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam, Washington, & Roosevelt
Tour of U.S. Capitol - Visit House of Representatives & Senate
Library of Congress
Supreme Court (attend lecture)
9/11 Memorial
Air and Space Museum
Museum of American History
National Archives
International Spy Museum
Lincoln Assassination Tour
Tour George Washington's Mt. Vernon
Tour Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
Tour the University of Virginia
Arlington Cemetery Guided Walk
Wreath Laying at Tomb of the Unknowns
Tour of Georgetown, National Cathedral, and Embassy Row
Evening flight to Memphis
Our goal is for every boy to experience the benefits of joining this program and preparing them to be a global citizen. Scholarships are available.
As we are early in the process of scheduling the trip, we are providing a window of time. The window covers more days than the actual trip. After registration closes, we will quickly notify you of the exact dates.
5th Grade Washington D.C. Trip Window – November 5 – 11, 2022
6th Grade Washington D.C. Trip Window – March 31 – April 6, 2023
Hotel rooms will be monitored by chaperones. Additionally, each night a security guard is present on the floor in the hotel that’s booked for PDS boys. Typically, there will only be two boys per room. All rooms are sequestered on a floor with chaperones and a security guard present throughout each night.
The cost is $2250 covering flights, hotels, charter buses, tour guides, and chaperones. Food costs (except breakfasts) and souvenirs are excluded.
Our desire is for every boy of PDS to experience their nation’s Capital and many of the most important sites in the founding of our country. While Cultural Expeditions Trips are not mandatory they will be an essential component of PDS culture and curriculum starting in the 2022-23 school year. Students not electing to participate in the program will complete the same curriculum and engage in project based learning on campus.
We will provide students with a student ID that is sufficient for airline travel within the United States.
Food costs are not included in the amount except breakfast. The cost of lunch, and dinner will be each boy’s responsibility. We suggest that each student budget $30 daily for lunch, dinner, and snacks. In order to help you budget for food costs, we will give a precise schedule of meals prior to the trip.
We strongly recommend that boys refrain from carrying too much cash by giving excess amounts to their group leader. They may bring a card if that’s easier. Each morning, group leaders will distribute as much cash as needed. Bring additional money if you plan to buy souvenirs, eat larger than normal portions, or buy snacks.
We recommend dressing with layers that can be removed or worn as the weather dictates, such as a PDS collared shirt and sweatshirt with a rainproof windbreaker. We always provide a packing list of items to be worn on the trip. We are not traveling to Siberia, but remember that your extremities tend to get cold first so plan accordingly. We walk 7+ miles a day so it is essential that everyone wear a good pair of walking shoes. If you plan to purchase these prior to the trip, we suggest that you wear them a few times to break them in before the trip to avoid blisters. The packing list will be sent several weeks before the trip.
Yes. When we attend Arlington National Cemetery for the wreath laying ceremony, those students selected for laying the wreath will need to comply with the dress requirements stipulated by Arlington National Cemetery. The day we visit the Capitol and Supreme Court, students will need to wear PDS spirit shirts or hoodies. Additionally, no baseball caps are allowed.
Each year is typically different, depending on hotel availability. We will typically stay near Reagan Airport in Washington D.C. and near Federal Hall in Philadelphia.
It’s safe to assume that you will walk on average 7+ miles a day. Since we travel primarily by Metro, it requires that we walk from our hotel to the Metro to every site on the itinerary. We make this an active trip for boys to harness their energy and keep them engaged.
Electronics are not allowed on Cultural Expedition Trips. Daily communications are sent through Remind App and trip chaperones.
Yes. However, your bag will be examined and at some federal buildings you are not allowed to bring drinks inside. Chaperones will communicate what is allowed in bags before visiting federal buildings.
No. We will check in as a group on the day of our departure. Please do not attempt to check-in early online
Presbyterian Day School (PDS) is a private, Christian preschool and elementary school serving 500 boys from 2-years-old through 6th grade.
With our mission of striving to glorify God by developing boys in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man, we take a holistic approach to education, nurturing the heart, soul, mind, and body of each boy.