Everything Teachers Need to Know About Planning a School Trip
Thinking about taking your students on a school trip? Teachers and administrators often ask the same big questions: How do we keep students safe? How does travel connect to the curriculum? How much does a trip with my class cost?
Below, we’ve answered the top 10 questions teachers ask about planning a school trip, with tips based on over 35 years of experience at Global Works.
1. Why should I plan a school trip for my students?
School travel programs for your class are one of the most powerful ways to extend learning beyond the classroom. Students come back with a deeper understanding of culture, history, and language — but also with personal growth, resilience, and teamwork skills. For many, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that inspires future studies and careers.
2. How does student travel connect to my curriculum?
Educational travel can be tailored to your subject area:
- World Language: Spanish immersion programs in Costa Rica, Ecuador, or Spain. French Immersion programs in France
- History & Social Studies: Civil Rights history in the American South or cultural heritage in Peru’s Sacred Valley.
- STEM & Sustainability: Hands-on conservation work in Costa Rica or the Galápagos.
Each Global Works program is designed to support classroom goals, making your school trip a natural extension of your curriculum.
3. What kinds of destinations are best for middle and high school groups?
It depends on your curriculum goals for your class trip! Popular destinations for middle and high school groups include:
- Costa Rica and Puerto Rico school trips for language immersion and rainforest ecology.
- Spain and France school trips for European culture and world language practice.
- Ecuador and Peru school trips for Indigenous culture and Andean history.
- American South and Washington, D.C. school trips for U.S. service learning and civics.
Global Works helps match your group’s learning goals with the right destination.
4. How much time does it take a teacher to plan a school trip?
Teachers are busy — we get it. The good news: you don’t need to plan alone. Global Works handles logistics, itineraries, flights, and risk management. We provide:
- A planning timeline and checklists.
- Parent communication templates.
- Weekly updates on student forms and payments.
That way, teachers focus on mentoring students while we manage the details.
5. What support does Global Works provide to teachers and schools?
From your first inquiry to the plane ride home, we’re with you every step of the way. We provide:
- Pre-trip planning with parent night presentations and school trip promotion guides.
- On-the-ground support from trained trip leaders and local partners.
- Risk management systems, emergency protocols, and 24/7 on trip availability.
- Educational alignment so your trip connects to learning goals.
We’ve built strong partnerships with schools and world language departments across the U.S., including Friends Schools and Montessori Schools.
6. How much does a school trip cost?
Global Works provides transparent pricing so schools and families know exactly what’s included. Costs vary by destination and trip length. For example:
- A Costa Rica 7-day school trip with a homestay may cost differently than a 10-day France program with multiple city visits.
- Domestic trips, like Puerto Rico, New Orleans or D.C., can be more budget-friendly.
We need to know all of the details (where, when, how many students, etc.) of your teacher-led trip in order to give you an accurate estimate. Get a free quote with no commitment to know for sure.
7. How do we support student safety during travel?
Safety is a top priority on all school trips. Global Works provides:
- Thorough vetting of host communities and vendors.
- Staff trained in CPR, first aid, and risk management.
- Emergency action plans and global insurance coverage.
- Direct communication with families and schools during travel.
- 24/7 Emergency on-call support from a Director.
Our 35+ years of student travel experience gives schools confidence to move forward. Learn more about our Culture of Safety.
8. How do parents and administrators get on board with student travel?
Parents/Guardians want reassurance about safety and value. Administrators want alignment with educational goals. We support both by providing:
- Detailed itineraries and safety protocols.
- Research-backed outcomes on student growth.
- Presentations and Q&A sessions for families and school leadership.
The result: strong buy-in from the whole school community.
9. What makes Global Works different from other school travel companies?
Global Works goes beyond traditional tours. Every program combines:
- Experiential education — hands-on learning that connects to curriculum.
- Service learning — collaboration with local community partners.
- Adventure — fun and exciting activities that students love.
Teachers trust us to make school travel easy. Students love the mix of fun, culture, and meaningful connections.
10. When should I start planning a school trip?
Most teachers begin planning 9–12 months in advance. This gives time for parent approval, student enrollment, and figuring out the financials. However, shorter timelines are possible.
Regardless on when you plan to travel, now is the perfect time to start.
Schedule a Call with a Director now to start the conversation!