1. IMPACT: Our proven curriculum, teaching method and well-trained faculty will educate and inspire your students. Over 96% of teachers say that Close Up helped their students better understand their roles as citizens and how their government works. Plus, our programs meet each state’s standards of learning.
2. LEARNING: Our talented faculty ensure that students are learning, making personal connections to history, citizenship and leadership -- and challenging each other’s opinions all while they navigate the famous places and institutions of Washington DC. In addition to exploring DC’s famous monuments, memorials, and museums, our program gives students inside access to the nation's capital as students navigate Capitol Hill, meet with Congress and interact with key policymakers. Our program promotes student-to-student learning, encourages students to connect current policy issues and historic government sites with history and government classes back home.
3. LIVING: Our program is unique because students and teachers "live and learn" with diverse peers from schools around the country and from virtually all walks of life. This enhances learning at site visits, workshops, and even living and dining together. The residential experience takes place at close-in hotels such as Marriott and Sheraton, accessible to the metro system, and walking distance from shops and eateries. We give students 3 meals a day, beginning with dinner on arrival day. Breakfast is a hot buffet; lunches and dinners are provided at sites that are convenient to each day’s program schedule. In the evening, students participate in a variety of activities such as debates and a stunning memorial tour.
4. CLOSE UP AND CONGRESS: Our unique relationship with the U.S. Congress gives students and teachers a "close up" view of the people and practices that shape democracy in action. Every year, we arrange over 1,000 intimate meetings for students and teachers on Capitol Hill. Many members of Congress and staffers are former Close Up students or teachers and look forward to these meetings. In addition, for the past 4 decades, Congress has awarded scholarship funding enabling economically challenged students to participate on our programs.
5. TRAVEL: Our all-inclusive transportation package insures that your travel to and from Washington is as easy as possible. We use a combination of major U.S. airlines, Amtrak, and chartered buses. All groups that choose our travel package will be picked up and dropped off from the airport or train station by the Close Up transportation staff. Our representatives around the country will work with you to arrange transportation, answer any questions and accommodate special needs and requests.
6. COLLEGE CREDIT: Our Washington High School program is the only civic education and leadership program for which the University of Virginia awards college credit to high school students. To learn more about this option click here.
7. FINANCIAL AID: As an organization, we are committed to serving a diverse population and drawing students from all states and socio-economic backgrounds. To help us achieve this goal, the U.S. Congress created the "Close Up Fellowship Program" administered by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, private and public donors provide a limited number of scholarships.