As winter begins to finally soften in Blairstown, creativity and discovery are blooming throughout Blair’s campus. Intricate quilts are sprawled across biology tables in Bogle Hall. Chess boards are lined up in Timken Library. Kitchens in faculty apartments are working overtime. It’s an unconventional scene out of a classic boarding school landscape, but the experience paves the way for new connections, interests and passions that last well beyond the course’s conclusion.

The experience is Intersession, and its reach extends further than Blairstown, to far away destinations like Italy for a musical performance tour and Kenya for a school service trip. Held each March, Intersession is an intensive course that Blair students complete annually. Courses during Intersession (previously called J-term) are usually team taught, offering topics intended to spark students’ intellectual curiosity and not otherwise covered in the standard curriculum, and they are graded on a pass/fail basis. Outside experts, some of whom are Blair alumni, contribute to the experiences that our students and faculty enjoy. Many courses include day trips to New York City, and this year one group even traveled to Niagara Falls to photograph and draw one of the great natural wonders of the world.

At the end of nine intensive days of exploration, reflection and creation, students share their learning with the entire community through presentations, movie showings, musical performances and gallery walks. On Thursday night, the community gathered in the Chiang-Elghanayan Center for Innovation and Collaboration to take in the sights, sounds and smells that filled the space. Marbles traveled down roller coasters built of paper, Banksy-inspired art hung from the walls and candles flickered behind intricate stained glass pieces.

“Last night we experienced great chess playing, amazing food and fantastic artwork,” Assistant Head of School for Academics Nathan Molteni shared at Friday’s School Meeting. “Today’s presentations will celebrate an incredible nine days of discovery.”

During Friday’s presentation, the students of “A Common Thread” shared the handmade clothing they designed and produced during the Intersession course. While some chose to wear their creations, others stood by, eager to share their concepts and ideas with those attending the session. Aanya Bhat ’28 explained how learning about fashion, colors and textures during class inspired her to create a beaded head scarf for her final project.

“Understanding the use of textures to convey messages through our pieces was a big lesson in this class,” Aanya shared. “The colors and shape of my piece are meant to symbolize our Earth, but the textures of sequins and different beading were something I wouldn’t have used otherwise. They help tell the story of the different textures of the planet.”

Now, as students head home for spring break, they carry with them new skills, new interests and perhaps even new friendships—proof that Intersession is a time for exploration, creativity and lasting personal growth.