Colorado Springs School District 11 presented a broad study‑abroad update at its Aug. 6 meeting, bringing students, chaperones and parents to the dais to describe summer trips to Oaxaca (Mexico), southern France (Biarritz and Paris), a German GAP exchange and a new program in Beijing, China.

Claúddette (program coordinator) summarized that the district’s study‑abroad effort — which began two years earlier — grew to more than 50 students this year and now runs multiple two‑week programs for high school students. Students described language immersion classes, cultural excursions, service and project work and hands‑on experiences such as printing, painting alebrijes in Oaxaca, surfing and rafting in France, and visiting historic sites and the Great Wall in Beijing.

Students and parents said the trips changed participants’ confidence, language skills and readiness for post‑secondary plans. Rowan (GAP program participant) described intensive language practice, cultural immersion and a history tour at Berchtesgaden. Camila de Santiago (Odyssey Early College student) — who said she had never travelled to Mexico before — described living with a host family in Oaxaca and cultural activities including mercados and printmaking. Students on the France trip reported three‑hour daily classes taught in the target language and activities ranging from surfing to visiting Basque cuisine markets.

Palmer High staff member Sean Weibrant described a media‑production component: students were trained to create 360‑degree media, time lapses and interviews to document the trips for school‑based work‑learning projects. Parents praised the district for safety measures, host‑family selection and financial support that made travel possible for more families.

What the district said
Superintendent Brent Gahl: “This was the first of these programs. We will be developing programs for every discipline, for every kid in every grade to get a chance to not be evaluated just by CMAS or the SAT.”

Parents and chaperones told the board that the experience increased independence, language fluency and a willingness to pursue college study‑abroad options.

Why it matters
Board members framed the study‑abroad expansion as part of the district’s graduate profile and experiential learning strategy. Staff said they are refining cost, logistics and student selection to expand programs in future years.

Source material: student and staff remarks during the superintendent’s report at the Aug. 6, 2025 board meeting transcript.