Interim Term Brings Two Weeks of Hands-On Learning and New Experiences to EHS

Every January, Episcopal High School students step out of their regular routines and into something different. Interim Term, a two-week program at the beginning of the semester, gives students the chance to explore electives that are not typically offered in the normal school schedule. From cooking and crafting to business, film, and even building instruments, Interim Term turns learning into something more personal and interactive.

According to Interim Term Director Kylee Welch, Interim Term exists to help students grow beyond the classroom. She explained that it “provides underclassmen at EHS a unique opportunity to enrich their high school experience through the inquiry of diverse topics unavailable in the regular curricular program.” Rather than focusing on traditional academics, Interim Term electives push students to try new things and discover hidden interests.

A major part of what makes Interim Term successful is how hands-on many of the electives are. Welch said the most popular classes are often those that teach skills students might not normally learn, adding that electives are “more popular the more hands-on they are, especially those that teach a new skill.” This year, students especially enjoyed options like Becoming a Grill Master, Beginner Embroidery, Build Your Own Electric Guitar, and Disc Golf 101.

Behind the scenes, Interim Term takes months of organization. Assistant Director Andrew Lauer said the process is filled with logistics. “Largely it consists of sending out emails, receiving emails, ensuring all students get registered for classes beforehand, ensuring the classes themselves are running smoothly each day, and reacting to issues as they arise,” he explained. He emphasized that one of the biggest challenges is registration since “that is nearly 1,000 responses we need before we can plan any further.”

Both Lauer and Assistant Director Mrs. Jenny Aldstadt also stressed that Interim Term only works when students take it seriously. Lauer noted that students sometimes think it isn’t real school, but he made it clear that “Interim Term is, in fact, real school. It does count in terms of attendance and report card.” Aldstadt agreed, adding that students often assume absences do not matter, even though Interim Term is still meant to be meaningful learning.

Outside of electives, students also participate in Grade Level Learning programs that support personal development. Freshmen take Civil Discourse, sophomores take Community, Care, and Character, and juniors attend college counseling workshops focused on testing and applications.

In the end, Interim Term is more than just a break from routine. As Aldstadt explained, it helps students grow through “learning new skills, finding a talent they may not know they had and meeting new people.” For many students, those two weeks become some of the most memorable learning days of the entire year.