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Students Take in Sights & Sounds of Spain

Approximately 40 Upper School students and seven chaperones spent this spring break exploring the rich history, expansive landscape and vibrant culture that is Spain. While attending this once-in-a-lifetime trip, students were able to pay a visit to the famous city of Barcelona, the religious city of Catalonia, the historic city of Toledo, the romantic city of Segovia and the heart of Spain, Madrid. Taking in the sights and sounds that define a unique culture whose deep passion for life infects all visitors, students spent time at some beautifully adorned parks, architecturally famous cathedrals, and renowned museums that will forever change the way in which they view the pages within their history and art books at Ranney.
Approximately 40 Upper School students and seven chaperones, including Dr. Sykoff, Dr. Delgado, Mr. Materasso, Ms. Bonney, Ms. DiStefano, and Ms. Jones, spent this spring break exploring the rich history, expansive landscape and vibrant culture that is Spain.

"This trip provided a wonderful educational opportunity for our students to experience European culture as it helped them to become more culturally aware,” said Head of School Lawrence S. Sykoff, Ed.D.

Departing Newark, New Jersey on March 23, the group first headed to the heart and soul of Cataluña — the famous city known as Barcelona — where it not only explored one of the country’s largest ports, but also witnessed the works of Antonio Gaudí. It was Gaudí’s unique worldview that led to the creation of some of Europe’s most distinctive 20th century architecture. Complements of Casterbridge Tours, Ranney had the pleasure of visiting several architectural phenomenon designed by Guadí including the Quadra d’Or (Golden Triangle), where they saw the Casa Batlló and La Mazana de la Discordia, the Parc Güell, home to a mosaic pagoda, lizard fountain and ceramic benches, and the cathedral of La Sagrada Familia.

From Barcelona, it was off to Catalonia where students visited the Monestir de Montserrat, a mountain monastery surrounded by chapels and hermits’ caves. Aside from viewing the region’s holy Basilica, students also attended a concert performed by the monastery’s 50-member Escolania, one of the Europe’s oldest and most renowned boys’ choirs. Afterwards, Ranney’s travelers boarded an overnight train to the capital city of Madrid.

Students explored great monuments and breathtaking art while strolling through the Plaza de España, whose monument of Cervantes depicts characters from Don Quioxte, and the Plaza Mayor, which once acted as a center for bullfights, soccer games, public executions and the Spanish Inquisition. On their second day in this marvelous city, students perused the Prado, home to the works of Spanish masters like Velazquez, Goya, and El Greco. Later in the evening, they also experienced the power and passion of Flamenco. “Witnessing Spain’s immense culture and history through its architecture, art, dance and cuisine was phenomenal,” said Upper School Dean of Students Noel Delgado, Ph.D.

Before heading back to the United States, Ranney also toured the historic city of Toledo, which marks a cultural fusion of Christian, Arab and Jewish traditions, and the romantic city of Segovia, whose divine beauty has inspired the work of many artists and architects over the centuries.

The group made its return trip on April 1, 2012, and will forever have a historical and artistic appreciation for the sights and sounds of Spain — all of which it was able to witness firsthand thanks to Ranney School.
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society. 

We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni, and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to know and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens.