Upper School
Upper School (Grades 9 through 12)
The Upper School program is unique among independent schools in Washington. Students in Grades 9 and 10 follow a prescribed curriculum emphasizing analytical and critical thinking. In all subject areas they develop an ability to apply what they know and support their ideas through speaking and writing.
All Grade 9 students take English; French, Spanish or their own native language; a third language or information technology; integrated mathematics including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry; three sciences concurrently—biology, chemistry, physics; world history; geography. They also make two aesthetic choices in music, art, drama, or journalism. Physical education is required.
In Grade 10, students design and develop a Personal Project, an independent study in an area of particular interest that links several academic subjects and areas of interaction. The Personal Project may be a research essay, artistic production, original experiment, invention, or some other means of expression. Tenth grade students have some flexibility in their curriculum to reflect their academic strengths and interests as they prepare for the International Baccalaureate Diploma program in Grades 11 and 12.
Students in Grades 11 and 12 follow the IB Diploma program, an internationally recognized two-year course of study. Success on the IB Diploma’s oral and written examinations may afford graduates college credit for their high school work. Students select six subjects for two years study: English, one or two other languages, and at least one course each in mathematics, experimental science, and social science. Three courses are taken at Higher Level and three at Standard Level, allowing students to pursue advanced work of particular interest. They take an arts elective and Theory of Knowledge—a critical thinking and philosophy seminar—and research and write an extended essay on a topic of their choosing. Students also complete a minimum of 60 hours or volunteer community service, choosing the activities and evaluating themselves.
At the end of Grade 12, IB Diploma candidates complete a three-week battery of oral and written examinations in all of their IB subjects. IB exams are prepared and externally graded under the supervision of the International Baccalaureate Organisation in Geneva.
