Atlas: Opening the World to Da Vinci Students
This month, 45 students from Da Vinci Schools embarked on an exciting journey through Italy as part of the Atlas travel program. Their itinerary included the iconic cities of Venice, Florence, and Rome, offering immersive experiences in each locale.
Students marveled at Michelangelo’s David, wandered the cobbled streets of Florence, and stood in awe at the sheer scale of the Colosseum. One student reflected, “One of my favorite parts was going to the Vatican church because it was just an amazing experience... I’ll never ever forget it.” Another added, “Visiting the Colosseum was my favorite part... it’s such an iconic piece of architecture and just super amazing to visit in person.”
The Atlas travel program, launched in the early 2010s during the foundational years of Da Vinci Design, began as a bold vision to provide high school students with meaningful global experiences. Over the past 12 years, Atlas has evolved into a signature offering across all Da Vinci high schools, enabling students to come together to explore more than 15 countries. These journeys typically take place over spring break and offer transformative learning opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom.
In partnership with EF Educational Tours, Atlas organizes immersive international trips that blend cultural exploration with real-world learning. Under the leadership of DVD teachers Frank Solis and Jennifer Shinn, the program has continued to flourish, connecting students with diverse cultures across Europe, Asia, and Central America. The cost of the trips range from $3500-$4500. Students often fundraise, with staff support, to make their journey possible.
Travel is more than sightseeing—it's a transformative educational experience. Through Atlas, students encounter new languages, traditions, and worldviews, which broaden their horizons and deepen their understanding of global interconnectedness. They don’t just learn about history, art, or politics—they live it. These journeys foster independence, empathy, and cultural awareness, equipping students with skills that textbooks can’t teach. Experiencing the world firsthand empowers students to return home with a greater appreciation for diversity and a renewed curiosity about the world.
But what stood out most were the personal connections made along the way.
As one student shared, “These trips are really fun and you really get to connect with the culture and the people around you. Going into this trip I didn’t know anyone, then I met a group of really cool people and I came out of it with more friends. You spend so much time with these people that you really get to know them and it makes the entire experience better.”
Another student reflected, “It was very interesting to see how differently people operate and how what is normal for us is very different for others.”
A third added, “It felt nice to experience another culture because there were things that I might want to start doing differently myself.”
As one traveler summed it up: “I think traveling and this experience in general opens you up to new things and can really humble a person. I think seeing things that may be different whether it’s the people, weather, or wealth can open your eyes and appreciate what you have. As well, I think this experience helped me in the future go into things with no expectations and really be in the moment of the culture you are surrounded by.”
All Da Vinci high school students are welcome to join future trips. Our next journey to Greece in 2026 is already fully booked with a waitlist, and the 2027 destination will be announced in early fall of the 2025-26 school year. Announcements are made via school blogs, social media, and other student/family facing communications. Stay tuned—your next adventure may be just around the corner! Take it from one of our student travelers, “Even if it’s not a place you ever thought of visiting, the experience as a whole was amazing and absolutely worth it.”
For more information, please contact Frank Solis at fsolis@davincischools.org or Jennifer Shinn at jshinn@davincischools.org.
