Baldwin High School Seniors enjoy an experience at the White House

Baldwin High School seniors recently had a chance to sit at the Resolute Desk in a life-size replica of the Oval Office during a one-of-a-kind educational excursion.

Students enrolled in the district’s career-focused courses, Senior Experience and Senior Internship, visited the White House Experience and Museum of Democracy at Long Island University’s Roosevelt School for a “Leaving2Learn” adventure.

The Baldwin district was among the first to experience this exhibit when it launched last year. The White House replica at LIU is the only one in the Northeast and one of only four in the entire country. 

During the excursion, students had the opportunity to step into a variety of roles, from Secretary of Defense to Press Secretary, during a crisis simulation in the White House Situation Room. They even participated in a mock press briefing in a setting that closely resembled the real-life broadcasts seen on C-SPAN.

“Attending the White House experience at LIU gives students the opportunity to build essential decision-making skills by immersing them in real-world situations where timely and strategic choices are crucial,” Gabriella Franza, aassistant director of instructional programs wrote in a news release. “This hands-on experience equips students to navigate complex challenges with confidence and clarity.”

Baldwin High School’s Senior Experience course, which launched last school year, offers seniors the chance to explore potential careers through hands-on, real-world learning. Students also have the option to enroll in Senior Internship, which provides further career exploration opportunities. Both courses are part of the district’s School2Career initiative, designed to empower students to take ownership of their education and prepare them for the future.

The museum’s partnership with the Museum of Democracy has made the Roosevelt School a permanent exhibition space for over a million pieces of presidential history, including the largest collection of political campaign memorabilia in the U.S. spanning from George Washington to the present day. The collection also includes artifacts related to social movements focused on freedom, democracy, civil rights, and social justice.