Coeducational College Preparatory Day School serving Grades 5-12
Academics

Winterim Program

What is Winterim?

Winterim is one of Seabury Hall's most cherished traditions: a special week when students step outside their regular classes to dive into hands-on, experiential learning. It's designed to expand the Seabury Hall program beyond the classroom, giving students the chance to connect with peers across grade levels and grow in their understanding, appreciation, and support of each other and our local and global community.

Winterim is a highlight of the school year and an integral part of the official school calendar. Full participation is expected of all students.

Key Dates

  • Program Week: February 8–11, 2027
  • Daily Schedule: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm (regular bus schedule)
  • Transportation: Provided for most programs. A few programs do not include transportation; these will be clearly marked on the sign-up site.
  • Cost: Program costs vary by experience; pricing will be listed on the sign-up site.

Sign-Up Timeline (All Students)

Date
What Happens
Sept 28, 2026
Sign-up site goes live
Sept 29, 2026
Assembly announcement with sign-up instructions
Sept 30, 2026
Advisory activity to discuss options and sign up
Oct 16, 2026
Sign-up window closes
Oct 19, 2026
Students and parents notified of placements
Oct 23, 2026
Deadline for change requests
Nov 1, 2026
Fees posted to tuition account


Payment Schedule: International & Continental (Out-of-State) Trips

Some Winterim programs involve out-of-state or international travel and follow their own payment schedule:

Date
Payment
Oct 1, 2026
$500 deposit due (secures student's place)
Nov 1, 2026
First payment due (50% of remaining balance)
Dec 1, 2026
Final payment due (remaining balance in full)

A note on payments: All Winterim payments are handled through the Business Office, not through teachers or trip leaders. Families can pay via their Blackbaud Tuition Management account or by check made payable to Seabury Hall. Please allow up to 10 days for online payments to clear; a student's place on a trip is not considered secure until payment has cleared.

All Winterim billing is posted to your Tuition Management account. Please check your account regularly to confirm charges and payments are accurate.


Cancellations & Refunds

We put a lot of planning into every Winterim experience, and we want to be upfront with you about what to expect if plans change.

Winterim programs, including day programs and on-island trips, are not refundable once a student is confirmed in a program. We understand this isn't always the news families hope to hear, so we want to explain why, and to be as transparent as possible so you can make an informed decision from the start.

For international and continental trips specifically, the school must purchase airfare and make other travel arrangements well in advance. Once tickets and other nonrefundable expenses are purchased, we have little to no flexibility to recover those costs if a student withdraws. Because of this, it's important that families understand that the full trip cost becomes nonrefundable before submitting a deposit.
  • The $500 deposit for international and continental trips is nonrefundable once submitted and secures the student's place.
  • As additional payments are made and committed to trip expenses, those payments may also become nonrefundable.

As a school, we pride ourselves on carefully planned Winterim experiences: thoughtful itineraries, detailed logistics, and meaningful learning opportunities. The only thing missing from our toolkit is weather control, and as Maui in February often reminds us, changing conditions can require us to stay flexible and put safety first.

Because many Winterim experiences take place outdoors and on the water, we prepare backup plans to make this the best possible experience for our students, rain or shine. Safety always comes first, and sustaining strong relationships with our vendors and program partners means honoring our financial commitments to them, even when weather affects a trip. For this reason, we are unable to offer refunds after a program is confirmed.

Families should consider their student's spot in a Winterim program a financial commitment once the October 23 deadline for change requests has passed. We're grateful for the understanding so many of our families have shown in helping us balance safety with these important partnerships, and we're always happy to answer questions if you're unsure how this applies to your family's situation.


What to Expect Leading Up to Winterim

  • Jan 19, 2027: First advisory meeting; forms and waivers distributed to students
  • Feb 4, 2027: Second advisory meeting; Entrustment of Care forms provided by the Nurse
  • Feb 17, 2027: Third advisory meeting; wrap-up, debrief, survey, and thank-yous


Questions?

If you have questions please contact kbrown@seaburyhall.org.
Winterim FAQ

List of 10 items.

  • HOW ARE STUDENTS SELECTED FOR PROGRAMS?

    Students will select and rank their top five Winterim program choices (1–5) when completing the Winterim sign-up process. Each program has a limited number of spots based on logistical and risk management considerations.
    All requests are reviewed by the Director and Deans of Academic and Student Affairs, the Winterim Director, and the Program Leaders. While we will do our best to place students in their top choices, final rosters are determined based on a variety of factors, including (but not limited to):
    • Grade level, age, or required certifications/experience
    • Relevant coursework, Extended Essay, or Personal Project
    • Relevant club or athletic participation
    • Work, internship, or leadership experience
    • Overall group dynamic and diversity, depending on the program goals
    Students who have been flagged for behavioral, academic, or business office concerns may be placed on Winterim probation.
    Submissions received after the deadline will have limited program options available.
    Please read each course description carefully to ensure you meet all necessary requirements before making your selections.
  • WHEN ARE PAYMENTS DUE?

    Winterim payments will be billed December 1, 2025 and are due December 20, 2025.
  • HOW SHOULD I MAKE PAYMENT?

  • ARE ALL STUDENTS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN WINTERIM?

    Yes. Winterim is a highlight of the Seabury Hall school year and an integral part of our official academic calendar. Participation is expected from all students as it provides valuable experiential learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
  • WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T GET MY FIRST CHOICE?

    Some Winterim programs are very popular and have limited space due to logistical and safety considerations. Students will be asked to select and rank their top five choices (1–5) when completing the Winterim sign-up process. While we do our best to place everyone in their top choice, final placements are determined by the Winterim Director, the Director of Academic and Student Affairs, and Program Leaders. If you are not placed in your first-choice program, we will work to enroll you in one of your alternate selections. If necessary, we’ll reach out to discuss additional options.
  • CAN STUDENTS APPLY FOR AN INDEPENDENT WINTERIM?

    Yes. Students in grades 9-12 may apply to design an independent Winterim experience under the guidance of a community mentor, family member, or professional in a related field. These proposals must be approved by the Winterim Director and the Director of Academic and Student Affairs.
    Independent Winterim applications must be submitted using the same form as other programs, and students are still required to rank four additional choices from the Winterim catalog.
    Proposals should clearly outline meaningful goals and demonstrate how the experience will contribute to personal growth, skill development, or community impact. Experiences should reflect Seabury Hall’s mission by fostering curiosity, compassion, and engagement beyond the classroom.
  • ARE CELL PHONES ALLOWED DURING WINTERIM?

    To encourage presence and connection, Seabury Hall’s policy is that students may not use cell phones during Winterim activities unless directed by a Program Leader. Leaders may collect phones at the start of the day, trip, or activity.
     
    For interisland or mainland Winterim programs, the following policy applies:
    • Students may use phones on the plane until arrival at the destination.
    • Phones will be collected upon arrival (after students have made a call or text home).
    • Leaders will schedule specific times for students to contact parents during the trip; these times will be shared in advance.
    • Phones will be returned at the end of the trip or for the flight home.
      If a student feels homesick or needs to reach a parent, exceptions will be made.
    This policy helps promote meaningful engagement and connection within the group and the community being visited.
  • WHO LEADS WINTERIM PROGRAMS?

    Winterim programs are led by Seabury Hall faculty and staff, and in some cases, community partners, alumni, or parents. A core purpose of Winterim is to strengthen relationships within our school community, so we prioritize programs led by members of our ‘ohana rather than outside organizations.

    Leaders of programs that involve off-island travel or higher-risk activities are required to complete relevant risk management training and hold current first aid certifications.
  • HOW ARE PROGRAM LEADERS SELECTED?

    Winterim leadership teams are selected based on their expertise, experience, and enthusiasm for experiential learning. Considerations include:
    • Understanding of best practices in experiential education
    • Experience in travel or remote environments
    • Risk management and first aid training
    • Subject area knowledge and passion for the topic
    • Connection to Seabury Hall’s mission and values
    • Alumni or community engagement opportunities
  • WHAT IF I PLAY A SPRING SPORT?

    Students participating in spring athletics should speak with their coach before applying to a Winterim program that includes travel, as it may overlap with practices or early-season games. Coaches cannot prohibit participation, but we encourage open conversations between students, families, and coaches about team commitments, travel timing, and priorities.

Contact Us

Karmen Brown
Phone: (808) 572-7235 x113

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