Upper School

All 7th and 8th Grade students take Literature, History, Science, Math, Latin, and Fine Arts courses each semester. All of these required courses take place between period 1 and period 6. There are three sections of the same Literature, History, and Science courses per grade level. Math courses are grouped according to a placement process. Students take one semester of Music and one semester of Visual Art each year, switching courses after Winter Break.

Students have the option to take physical education, a selection of several music and fine arts electives (in addition to the core music and art courses that all students take), or study hall during 7th hour during their 7th and 8th grade years. These courses happen on a rotating A / B schedule, so students may choose a study hall and an elective for each semester or may “double up” on electives or study halls.

All students take Literature, History, Science, and Math courses each year. The Humanities sequence is set by grade: Classical Literature & Western Civilization I in 9th grade, British Literature & Western Civilization II in 10th grade, American Literature and U.S. History in 11th grade, and Modern European History and Modern Literature in 12th grade. All students take Biology in 9th Grade and make choices between AP and non-AP options in 10th through 12th grade. Students proceed through Math courses (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus BC) according to a placement process. Students must take three years of Foreign Language during high school. They may take a fourth year of a language during 12th grade or choose from Seniors-only electives during that period. There are also a selection of required courses each year as described below in part.

During their senior year, under the direction of a faculty advisor, students complete a 12-15 page thesis. Each student chooses at least one text from the ACA curriculum and at least one extracurricular text to make an argument responding to an essential human question of the student’s design. During Q2 and Q3, students have a daily workshop for research and writing. During Q4, students defend their theses in hour-long presentations in front of a panel of three faculty members.

In 9th grade, students choose whether or not to continue on to Latin III or begin Spanish I. Students are required to take three years of foreign language courses and many choose to take a 12th grade course even after completing their requirements. Our advanced language courses are a unique strength of the school and get better every year.

The AP Science path: AP Biology, Advanced Chemistry, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics.  A student selects the AP Science path at the end of 9th grade to start in 10th grade.  The Science path is a 3-year commitment.  Other AP offerings include: AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science A, and AP Latin.