Jestermester

Jestermester is a once-per-year mini-term when students have the opportunity to do a dive deep into a single topic that interests them for a full week of immersive, hands-on learning.

During Jestermester, Emma teachers and students alike embrace the spirit of the Jester and bring an extra sense of play and adventure to the work of teaching and learning. Jestermester courses are designed to energize and inspire our student body, asking them to think on their feet, work together to solve problems, and step outside of their comfort zones to explore the world beyond their classroom walls. Here is a listing of the Jestermester courses for the 2025–2026 school year.

Jestermester Course Catalog

Interested in more information about Jestermester? Contact:

Caroline Boyajian

Director of Curriculum and Innovation, English Instructor

Contact

Jon Calos

Experiential Learning Department Chair, Signature Director, Homer L. Dodge Instructor in Science

Contact

Emily Carton

Director of Student & Community Life

Contact

A student taking a photo of themselves holding a stuffed gingerbread person.

One of 360: Alvina Y. ’29

This month, our One of 360 series checks in with Alvina Y. ’29, a ninth grade boarding student from Shenzhen, China! Read on to hear from Alvina about dance, basketball, physics, and more, in her own words!

Jestermester Wrap Up!

Jestermester week has concluded and left the entire community feeling inspired. Photographed above is a shot from the 'Visionary Women of the Empire State: A Tour of Central and Western New York' Jestermester experience, where students learned about Susan B. Anthony, Emma Willard alumna Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Tubman, and more women who shaped our history! To view the rest of the photos from the on-campus and off-campus experiences, click 'Read More' below.

Jestermester!

From local experiences like A Different Land: Journey to Refugee Justice and Game Masters, to international trips to explore the world of Jane Austen and biking through New Zealand, Jestermester is in full swing! Pictured here are students from the Cote d'Ivoire (West Africa) trip learning how to cook attiéké (a local dish).

Jestermester Exploration

When we say Jestermester, here’s what we mean: One week. No classes. No grades. Only exploration! This year’s Jestermester theme of “exploration” has given rise to an outpouring of new Jestermester experiences, both at home and abroad.

Anything is Possible: Jestermester 2025

With opportunities to dive deeply into subjects outside the regular classroom setting, Emma Willard makes anything possible through Jestermester!

Jestermester Photos

Jestermester courses are in full swing on campus, throughout the capital region, and beyond! The photograph above is from the Puerto Rico trip.

a student standing on a waterfront balcony smiling just off camera.

One of 360: Helena C.S. ’25

Kicking off our One of 360 series in the new year is Helena C.S. ’25, a senior boarding student with a passion for woodworking, art, anthropology, and more! Read more about Helena’s experience in her own words.

Threads of Global Impact: Sustainability Studies in the Inaugural Jestermester

If you could study anything, what would it be? If you could go anywhere, where would you go? When challenged to take an intellectual risk and design a new experiential learning opportunity for their students, many faculty members first thought of their passion for all things green.

John Brown Day

A group of five students who had attended the John Brown Jestermester in March attended and spoke at the annual John Brown Day in Lake Placid—a public event with roughly 200 attendees. Our students were highlighted in the event and got to lay wreaths on John Brown's grave in the ceremony. A few students gave speeches, including one by Zahari F. ’26 and Margarette H. ’24 on their Jestermester experience.

Spring Showcase 2024

Spring Showcase, a much-anticipated tradition on campus, highlights students’ hard work from the 2023–2024 school year in Signature capstone projects, Jestermester, and Emma Artists.

Living Language

Experiential Learning moves language learning beyond the classroom.

Students standing in front of a brightly painted wall in a city, the wall has messages of encouragement on it.

A Look at Jestermester 2024

In March, Emma Willard School embarked on the first ‘Jestermester,’ a minimester during which students and faculty engage in unique learning opportunities. While there will be more in-depth coverage coming later this spring, we’re taking a look at what the community was up to during this inaugural experiential week!

Jestermester Photos!

Jestermester courses are in full swing on campus, throughout the capital region, and beyond!

A student with back to the camera talks to a faculty member about a trip, they are looking at flyers and posters.

Jestermester: A New Tradition is Born

Friday the fifteenth of September was an exciting day. Director of Curriculum and Innovation Caroline Boyajian, Experiential Learning Department Chair Jon Calos, and Director of Student & Community Life Emily Carton stood before the school community during Morning Reports to announce the launch of Jestermester to our students. The moment was a significant milestone during an extensive process stretching back to Emma Willard Schools strategic planning meetings in 2020.

Group of students on the California AWAY trip in front of an expansive vista

Emma AWAY 2023: A World Awaits You!

Emma Willard School’s AWAY trips give students opportunities to connect with communities and learning opportunities outside of Emma. This year’s trips have returned from their excursions (a Northeast College Tour, a trip to Washington DC for an exploration of human rights, to California for a look at public lands in the American west, and a civil rights tour of the American south) with great stories and photos to share.