We are excited to present this year’s J-Term program that is part of every Upper School student’s experience. For 2027, January 5 - January 14 will be J-Term. Some travel dates could begin prior to January 5, and the travel dates specific to each course are noted in the course descriptions. There will be no classes on Monday, January 4 nor Upper School classes on Friday, January 15. The second semester classes for Upper School will begin on Tuesday, January 19.
The goal of J-Term is manifold:
• Expose students to a kaleidoscope of topics that we cannot offer in the regular curriculum and that they might not otherwise explore
• Allow faculty and other experts to share their special interests and passions
• Provide authentic, hands-on learning experiences with deep-dive focus
• Spark new interests, tap into aptitudes students may not know they have, develop different skill sets, and broaden perspectives
• Create alternative contexts to develop leadership and problem-solving skills
• Collaborate across disciplines and grade levels
• Provide an opportunity for faculty and students to build meaningful relationships in new ways
• Take an alternative learning break between traditional semesters
• Create “different weather” at a time of year when days and weeks feel long and dreary
In short, J-Term provides one more way to fulfill Prairie’s mission to nurture the creativity, interests, and abilities of every student and to inspire students to explore, thrive, and add value individually and in collaboration with others.
Participation in J-Term is a graduation requirement and appears each year on the transcript with a grade. Courses include individual and collaborative work, reflections, presentations, and other student work products, and final grades will be recorded as High Pass, Pass, Low Pass, or Fail. Attendance during these dates is mandatory; failure to attend multiple scheduled classes will result in a final grade not exceeding a Pass.
Enrollment will begin with students’ course selections and every effort will be made to place students in one of their four choices. For oversubscribed courses, a lottery system may be used. Enrollment will intentionally blend grade levels. Serious disciplinary incidents prior to or during J-Term may result in forfeiture of certain J-Term courses, including fees already paid, and course reassignment. An approved change of course may also result in no refund, a partial refund of applicable fees, or a cancellation fee.
Some courses, especially those that include travel, require a high level of maturity and responsibility. Parents and guardians, please consider your student’s readiness for these experiences. Students with special needs should select courses in which they can participate fully without compromising their well-being. Parents or guardians must provide consent for any student on a travel course to carry and self-administer all medication. While all other J-Term courses are open to students of all grade levels and aim to mix grade levels, international travel courses (outside of the continental United States) are only open to 10th -12th graders.10th grade students will have the option to select up to two of any of the international travel courses. Winter-season varsity athletes should consult their coaches now about any conflicts with J-Term travel or other course activities and select courses accordingly. Students considering travel courses should be aware that hotel stays may book up to four students per room (single sex). Travel, food and lodging are included for all trips unless specifically noted in the course selection guide.
J-Term course fees are not part of the school’s Inclusive Fee because costs vary widely. Families who receive more than 50% financial aid are eligible for J-Term aid. Only courses whose estimated cost exceeds $500 are eligible for financial aid grants. Up to 50% of the estimated cost may be awarded. Please note that the J-Term aid budget will be weighted towards juniors and seniors. Because funds are limited and aid is not guaranteed, students must be able to pay in full for at least two of their four selected courses.
Families will be notified about payment for on-campus J-Term courses through the FACTS online billing system. The amount due will be posted in FACTS at the beginning of October and the payment will be due at the end of October.
Payment deadlines for all travel courses will be communicated by the faculty trip leaders.
We hope you share our excitement about J-Term 2027 and look forward to the enriching experiences represented in these pages.
Mari Grobschmidt Head of Upper School
Namibia
A Sociocultural Journey
A land of striking contrasts and beauty, Namibia offers dramatic landscapes, remarkable wildlife conservancies, and a welcoming environment for travelers. During this experience, we will engage directly with several of the country’s distinct cultures, including the San/Bushmen and the Himba. In addition to national park safaris and cultural learning, we will complete a service project at the Oonte Center for Orphans and Vulnerable Children. Students should be prepared for an active itinerary that includes long travel days, significant time outdoors, and tent camping. Meals will feature both familiar foods (potatoes, rice, chicken) and local specialties. This course is best suited for curious, flexible, and mature students ready to step outside their comfort zone. From hearing the San tribe sing songs believed to be among the world’s oldest music, to spotting lions, giraffes, and perhaps even elephants in their natural habitat, this is an experience you will not forget!
Cost: $4,600 - $5,000
Instructors: Mr. Paulsen & Mrs. Holum
Travel Dates: Jan. 3 - 15
*Passport Required*
aN ecological adveNture iN costa rica
Journey to the rainforest of Costa Rica where you’ll help scientists study and protect howler monkeys, whitefaced capuchins, and jaguars at a field station nestled along the shores of the Caribbean. During our stay, you’re likely to encounter fascinating insects, sleepy sloths napping in tree crooks, snakes preying upon redeyed tree frogs, and countless colorful birds singing from the canopy. Off the grid and reliant upon solar power, we’ll spend our nights in rudimentary cabins, eat our meals in open-air structures and enjoy outdoor showers whilst listening to the wildlife. We’ll celebrate our good work with a bonus adventure – perhaps white-water rafting or zip-lining through the rainforest.
Cost: $3,995 - $4,600
Instructors: Dr. Weaver & Mr. Geary
Travel Dates: Jan. 4 - 12
*Passport Required*
brushstrokes of fraNce
Art, Culture & History
Discover France’s rich history and vibrant culture through an immersive artistic journey. Students will experience world-renowned collections at the Louvre Museum, Musée d’Orsay, the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, and Musée Rodin. They will also visit Clos Lucé—the final residence and workshop of Leonardo da Vinci. Beyond the museum walls, we will explore the historic landmarks that bring France’s layered past to life. Integrated artmaking experiences invite students to create work inspired by the masterpieces, architecture, and landscapes they encounter. This course is ideal for students passionate about art or French language, culture, and history, blending academic enrichment with meaningful cultural immersion.
Cost: $3,800 - $4,500 (plus lunch money for 8 days)
Instructors: Mr. Stout & Mrs. Schmitz
Travel Dates: Jan. 5 - 13
*Passport Required*
isla del eNcaNto
Puerto Rico
Known as the Island of Enchantment, Puerto Rico is a wellspring of culture, history, nature, and FUN. Students who choose this J-Term will get to experience the true richness of “boricua” culture. You will tour historic neighborhoods, take salsa dancing lessons, visit the United States’ only tropical rainforest, attend musical performances, and canoe in one of Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays. If you enjoy tasting new foods, being in tropical weather, and are not afraid to try exciting things like breaking out a dance move or ziplining through the jungle canopy, then this trip is for you! Before we head out, we’ll explore Milwaukee’s Puerto Rican neighborhood. When we return from Puerto Rico, we will present a team-based project that showcases what we learned while on the island. Uncover a part of America that only a few ever get to experience firsthand. La Isla del Encanto is calling!
Note: Prior knowledge of Spanish is a plus, but is not required.
Cost: $4,260 - $4,750
Instructors: Señor Oliveras & Dr. Matz ’06
Travel Dates: Jan. 6 - 13
On Campus: January 5 & 14
coWboYs aNd culture iN teXas
Saddle up, Prairie students, as we travel to beautiful hill country in Southwest Texas. First stop - Bandero, Texas - the Cowboy Capital of the World, where we will stay at a local Dude Ranch and learn the basics of horseback riding and lassoing cattle. There will also be time at the ranch to enjoy campfires, hike in the beautiful hill country, swim, and visit the local Cowboy Museum. Once we have become basic cowboys, we will head to Bulverde, Texas, for a full day of rodeo and steaks as big as your head! With our newly acquired cowboy swagger and souvenir hats, we will head to San Antonio, known for its beautiful historic Spanish Missions, the Alamo, the riverwalk, spicy Tex-Mex food and culture. Over the next three days, we will tour important historical sites and museums, learn our hot pepper limitations, and maybe take in a Spurs game. Open minds and adventurous spirits required, yeehaw!
Cost: $2,200 - $3,000 (Most but not all meals included)
Travel Dates: Jan. 5 - 12
Instructors: Mrs. Berkey and Ms. Robinson
Nasa’s advaNced space academY
Prairie, we have lift-off! During this J-Term, you will travel to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL to participate in NASA’s Advanced Space Academy.
Students will experience a variety of astronaut training exercises such as the 1/6th Gravity Chair and Underwater Astronaut SCUBA Diving. They will learn to navigate engineering challenges like building a rocket and a rover and participate in team-building activities with a challenge course. It all culminates in an extended-duration simulated space mission! Once we return from Alabama, the learning will continue on campus with further exploration and excitement.
Families considering this trip should see the Advanced Space Academy website for more information about the program and participant requirements. https://www.rocketcenter.com/SpaceCamp/ AdvancedAcademy
Limitations: You must be 15 by the start of J-Term to participate in this course. Some activities will require physician approval. See the website listed above for more information.
Cost: $2,100 – $2,500
Travel Dates: Jan. 3 - 8
Instructors: Mrs. Gilbertson & Mrs. Jensen
folk art aNd folkWaYs
A Cozy Driftless Retreat
Creativity runs deep in Wisconsin’s Driftless region – and in this class, students travel to experience it! Spend a week in Mineral Point where artists at The Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts will provide the expertise, and students will leave with something wonderful! Each student will commit to exploring one folk art tradition: Metal Sculpture, Sustainable Fashion or Hand-Bound Books. Each workshop has students creating unique pieces of art; sculpture with scrap metal, fashion through hand-dying and remaking, and book-binding using collage and free writing prompts to create beautiful journals. The fun continues with more excursions into the Driftless region – a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, an expedition into Cave of the Mounds, and a movie at the Mineral Point Opera House. Upon return, we will continue our creative exploration on campus and in Milwaukee and end with a special “J-Term Gallery Night” with friends and family. Join us for Creativity, Culture, and Community – all the things that make the Midwest the best!
Cost: $700 - $800
Instructors: Ms. Davis, Sra. Lane, and Dr. Sattler
Travel Dates: Jan. 5 - 8
fast break to bebop
Jazz and Basketball as American Artforms
Discover the history and cultural impact of jazz and basketball – two American originals, both built on rhythm, teamwork, and improvisation. In this immersive course, students will meet professional musicians, hear from basketball professionals, visit basketball arenas, and experience live jazz performances. We will explore jazz standard forms, on the one hand, and the rules, strategies, and differences between levels of basketball, on the other. Along the way, we will discover how both art forms balance individual expression and teamwork, rigor and creativity, revealing surprising parallels between the jam session and the slam dunk.
Students will create a portfolio including a playbook of original basketball plays based on individual jazz greats, as well as collaborate on an original jazz standard song based on new basketball knowledge.
Cost: $250 - $400
Instructor: Mr. Ipsen
leadiNg With purpose
Service & Community Engagement
This hands-on J-Term experience drops you into the heart of Racine’s nonprofit scene, where big ideas meet real community needs. You will visit local organizations, meet the leaders behind the missions, and see how creativity, strategy, and compassion come together to make things happen.
But this is not just observing from the sidelines. You will roll up your sleeves and jump into meaningful service projects that directly support our community partners. Along the way, you will work in teams, research the causes you are serving, and reflect on what leadership and responsibility look like in action. If you have ever wondered how change actually gets made, this course gives you a front row seat and a chance to be part of it. You can earn up to 10 service hours while building skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of how you can make an impact right here at home.
Cost: $0
Instructors: Mrs. Hearn, Mrs. Atanasoff, and Ms. Deuster ’16
the Needs of the miNi
A Model-Building Workshop
Whether you’re a history buff eager to re-create a B-17 bomber, or a gamer putting the final touches on a platinum dragon or giant battle-mech, this course will introduce you to the fundamentals of building, painting, customizing, and finishing plastic and resin model kits and miniatures. Students will learn essential techniques – assembly and gluing, brush selection and use, drybrushing and weathering – to produce realistic and fantastic works of professional-grade three-dimensional art that you will be proud to display.
Cost: $180 - $250
Instructors: Mr. Huggins
fiNaNcial flueNcY
Should you use a debit or credit card? Buy or lease your first car? Rent or buy your first home? When should you start saving for retirement? Many TPS alumni say they wish they had understood these financial decisions before graduating. This course will explore practical life skills including budgeting, banking, credit, insurance, taxes, and financial planning. The focus will be on building a strong financial foundation, not stock trading or individual investing. Through hands-on simulations, guest speakers, and real-world field experiences, students will navigate the transition from high school to college, to career, and beyond. This course is especially well-suited for students approaching this transition stage.
Cost: $0
Instructor: Mrs. Santalucia
ZoologY & aNimal care ethics
Have you ever walked around a zoo, aquarium, or nature sanctuary and wondered how the caretakers ensure the animals are healthy and happy? This course will explore these ethical questions as we look at animals in various facilities and analyze how they are cared for both physically and emotionally. Through visits to the Racine and Milwaukee Zoos, the Shedd Aquarium, Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, and other animal care centers, students will take a deeper look at how some of these animals may live in their natural habitat. This course will require a lot of walking and some time outdoors (expect cold weather.) The visit to Green Bay will include one overnight stay.
Cost: $200 - $300
(Includes dinner, breakfast, & one lunch on overnight, additional lunches will be at student expense or bring bag lunch)
Instructor: Mrs. Schafer
Travel Dates: Jan. 13 - 14
craftiNg coNfideNce
Woodworking for Beginners
Experience, creativity, and craftsmanship through woodworking! With a focus on safety, tool proficiency, and techniques, this course is designed for students who are at the beginning of their woodworking journey. However, all students must be comfortable with and willing to learn how to operate both power and hand tools. Through hands-on training, guest woodworker demonstrations, and ample independent practice, the skills students gain in our shop will to translate seamlessly into their individual projects within and beyond this course. Students’ unique creations will not only become cherished keepsakes once our class has concluded, but will also serve as tangible representations of their newfound abilities. Students will leave this course with the tools and know-how to continue their personal woodworking journey for years to come. Join us to craft your imagination into reality and build a lasting connection with your peers and the world of woodworking!
Cost: $300 – $400
Instructors: Mr. Bayer and Mr. Perez
The Ultimate DJ Crash Course bpm bootcamp
Ever watched a DJ command a crowd and wondered,
“How do they do that?” This two-week course is your backstage pass! We’ll explore the evolution of DJing, get hands-on with mixing equipment, and learn the essential skills to blend tracks live. You won’t just learn from the classroom; we’ll host local professional DJs to share their industry secrets! If you love music, step into the booth with us. The ultimate payoff? You’ll have the opportunity to DJ live at future TPS events including Winter Formal, basketball, and soccer games!
Note: Students will need an Apple Music, Spotify, Soundcloud, or Tidal subscription for this course (not included in price). Additionally, a student could bring a personal laptop (PC or Mac, not a Chromebook), but it is not a requirement.
Cost: $350 - $500
(This cost goes into equipment that students get to keep)
Instructor: Mr. Friedman
flight school
Fly like a Hawk! Begin training at Batten Airport for your FAA Private Pilot License and your first solo flight. Students will be in the cockpit eight hours and have an additional eight hours of in-air observational time. When not flying, students will be immersed in handson experiences, essential coursework, and field trips. Students will clock time in Windborne’s flight simulator, will become familiar with FAA Manuals, and be enrolled in Online Ground School. In the event of prolonged inclement weather, students would be able to receive their full eight hours of in-air flight instruction after the conclusion of the J-Term course (see conditions in “Cost”). Enrolled students must provide proof of US citizenship or pass a TSA background check.
Cost: $2,500 - $3,000
(+$299 if students intend to pursue their PPL after J-Term, requiring individual access to online ground school materials and test prep)
This course explores the art of graphic communication through poster design, album art, clothing design, digital/print media, and expressive typography. Students will study the foundations of typography alongside key movements in modern art history, examining the influence of the Bauhaus, Pop Art, Minimalism, and Abstract Impressionism on contemporary design. We will study iconic album cover design—particularly the groundbreaking mid-century visual identity of Blue Note Records—to understand the relationship between music, art, photography, and type. Through hands-on projects and critical discussion, students will explore design as a compositional tool, experiment with layout and hierarchy, and develop a refined visual language rooted in historical context and contemporary practice. Each student will submit a completed portfolio of their work that will culminate with a physically printed art book.
Cost: $100 - $175
Instructor: Mr. Breiwick
it’s a laughiNg matter!
Why did the Hawk cross the road? So it could get away from the chicken!
Are you the funniest person in your friend group? Have you had to sit there while your less funny friends tell worse versions of your stories? Have you ever been told you have a future in comedy?
No? Well stop reading and don’t take this class!
Students in this class will learn about all things funny! Joke-writing, storytelling, stand-up comedy, sketch comedy, and more! The class will culminate with each student participating in an open mic, and an SNL style performance, live in living color! Comedy! Tonight!
A successful comedy student is one who is willing to write, is open-minded, doesn’t take themselves too seriously, and has a good sense of humor. Trips to comedy clubs, and or workshops with comedians, will occur pending schedules.
Cost: $250 - $400
Instructor: Mr. Christianson
botaNicallYiNspired art
Not Your Typical “Garden Variety” Experience
In this hands-on art studio course, each student will design and create art inspired by greenery, flowering plants, and gardens to be added to their class’s communal botanical display. Ceramic, glass, metal, photography, and other artmaking techniques will be investigated to create garden sculptures and various types of other botanicallyinspired art. The art studio component will be paired with a study of plants, gardens, and food. Join our community garden of learning and growth.
Class will primarily take place on campus, utilizing the Prairie art facilities with a few field trips involving art and plant life to enrich the on-campus experience. Visits may include: the Milwaukee Domes, Lynden Sculpture Park, Milwaukee Art Museum, and 16th Street Art Studios.
Cost: $250
Instructors: Mrs. Wolf-Mattick, Dr. Wheeler, and Mr. Reid ’73
operatioN iNNovatioN
Mission Wonder Lab
Immerse yourself in hands-on innovation inside The WonderLab, our school’s dynamic maker space. Over six days, students will explore and utilize tools including a Glowforge laser printer, LEGO robotics kits, 3D printers, sewing machines, power tools, and drones to design, prototype, and build original projects. Through structured challenges and open-ended design opportunities, they will develop skills in digital fabrication, robotics, engineering, textiles, and aerial technology while practicing collaboration, problemsolving, and iterative thinking. We will visit other local maker spaces to broaden our understanding of how innovation happens in different environments. These site visits will allow students to see professional-grade equipment, entrepreneurial maker communities, and real-world applications of fabrication and design.
Cost: $100 - $150
Instructor: Mrs. Aragones
paraNormal iNvestigatioN 101
Have you ever watched a ghost hunting show and thought “I want to try that!”? Now you can! In this hands-on class, you’ll learn what it’s like to be a paranormal investigator. The Realm Paranormal Investigations & Podcast team will teach you how real investigations work, from research and equipment to investigation techniques and evidence collection.
The first week, you’ll learn paranormal theory, how to conduct an investigation and use tools like EMF detectors, digital recorders, night vision cameras and more, ending the week with a real paranormal investigation. (Investigation will be the evening of Friday, January 8, ending approximately 11:00PM).
The second week, you’ll review photos, video and audio to search for evidence and then present your findings by recording your own episode on the team podcast. Are you ready to find out what really goes bump in the night?
Cost: $300 - $400
Instructors: Mr. Fenkl and members of The Realm Paranormal Detectives
velocitY & vectors
The Physics of Winter Adventure
Step out of the classroom and into the elements in a high-octane exploration of physical movement and mechanics. This course challenges students to master Wisconsin winter through a series of athletic and technical experiences. From analyzing the friction of an Olympic curling stone and the aerodynamics of indoor skydiving, to navigating the vertical geometry of rock climbing and the gravitational forces of Alpine skiing, students will see physics in action.
Based at world-class venues like the Pettit National Ice Center and Alpine Valley, this course aims to blend physical grit with analytical thinking. Whether you are racing high-speed indoor karts or training like a Ninja Warrior, you will develop problem-solving skills and a deeper understanding of the mechanics behind peak performance. Prepare to push your limits, embrace the cold, and master the science of the slide.
