Comets Celebrate Learning With Dress-up Days

Throughout February, students in the lower school walked through a “battle of the classics” reading challenge. Students in the school read the same book, analyzed it in their classes in different ways, and voted on books. Classes participated in dress-up days throughout the month, dressing like favorite characters. It’s a practice that happens frequently in the lower school, and while it may seem like simple fun on the surface, this practice is deeply rooted in Hillcrest’s engagement of the classical education model, encouraging students to embody the lessons they’re learning and carry them into their cultural context.

Classical education emphasizes holistic learning—engaging the heart, mind, and soul in ways that cultivate wonder and wisdom. Dress-up days do just that. They allow students to take abstract concepts and make them tangible. When a student dresses up as a historical figure or a favorite book character, they aren’t just playing dress-up; they are stepping into the world of that story. They are seeing, touching, and living the ideas they’ve been reading about, giving them a fuller, richer understanding of what they’re learning.

This practice taps into multiple intelligences. Some students naturally thrive with words, excelling at writing and verbal expression. However, for others, learning happens best when they can embody a concept physically. Dress-up days provide those students—who may be more kinesthetic, visual, or artistic learners—an avenue to express their understanding in a way that makes sense to them. They can show what they know rather than just writing about it.

At Hillcrest, we recognize that each child learns differently. Some students can easily articulate their thoughts, weaving ideas into essays and discussions. Others might process information by creating art, noticing patterns, or moving their bodies. Dress-up days give all students an equal opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned in a way that fits their unique strengths.

When students choose an outfit that represents a character’s journey, they are making intentional decisions about what that character represents. Are they wearing a cape because their character is courageous? Are they dressed in humble clothing because the character demonstrates self-sacrifice? These details require thought, reflection, and connection—important skills in both academic and personal growth.

Beyond personal expression, dress-up days help students connect their learning to the broader world. Students at Hillcrest don’t just memorize facts, but they’re guided to see how knowledge shapes culture. When they step into the roles of the figures they study, they aren’t just learning history; they are experiencing the impact of those figures firsthand. When they reenact scenes from great stories, they aren’t just enjoying fiction but internalizing the moral lessons and virtues those stories convey.

Dress-up days at Hillcrest make learning visible and interactive, giving students a way to engage with their education on a deeper level. These small acts of celebration plant seeds of curiosity and creativity, helping students see that learning is not confined to the classroom—it is something to be lived, explored, and expressed.

So, while it may look like a fun costume day, what’s happening is much more significant: students are expanding their minds, strengthening their understanding, and learning to carry truth into their daily lives.