Upper School

In the Upper School, students build on foundational curriculum and cultural literacy they developed in the Lower School. Our desire for each of our students is that, when they cross the stage on graduation day, they are prepared to live awake to their own value and responsibility. We desire that they may not live merely as productive workers, but as knowledgeable, virtuous citizens. We desire that they continue seeking the truth, goodness, and beauty to be found, just as we have taught them.

Upper School Academics

Middle School (7-8)

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.

Upper School Culture

A distinct feature of Atlanta Classical is that we believe community and school culture begin first in the classroom and through the rich discussions that take place during rigorous and humane courses. Over the years, we have built out a robust apparatus of cultural elements meant to support the communal core forged in the classroom. There are daily, weekly, quarterly, and annual events and trips that compose this structure. A team led by the Assistant Principal and consisting of the Dean of Student Life for Girls, the Dean of Student Life for Boys, the Middle School Dean of Culture, and the Dean of Houses works directly on fostering culture especially through these events and trips.

Trips

Class trips and retreats are central experiences for students and often become highlights of the year. These include class retreats each Fall in Middle School and 9th grade, a Q3 day trip to Mercer College and the Q4 Cav Choir trip in 10th grade, a Fall trip to Washington D.C. in 11th grade), and a two spring trips during senior year: a two-night trip to Savannah and and day trip to Chattanooga during Senior Week. Students also take at least one academic field trip during a school day per year.

Daily Advisory

Cav Period

Each Friday, a final 45 minute period is set aside for culture-formation in the upper school. Each grade-band has a different regular Cav Period activity and this is also a time for broader assemblies and periodic events with outside speakers.

7th and 8th Grade: House Competitions and Meetings
9th and 10th Grade: Cav Choir (culminating in a spring trip to a competition)
11th Grade: Community Building with Faculty and College Application Work (Spring)
12th Grade: College Application Work (Fall) & Senior Thesis Workshop (Fall/Spring)

House System

Student Government & Clubs

R&R Weekends

Quarterly Award Ceremonies

After grades are submitted each quarter, an award ceremony is held during Cav Period on a Friday afternoon. Faculty members select one Student of the Quarter to honor from 7th and 8th grade, 9th and 10th grade, and 11th and 12th grade. In addition to these three awards, the Principal’s List for the quarter is read out and there are awards given to one 7th and 8th grade student and one high school student for accomplishment in both Fine Arts and Athletics. The final and crowning awards of each ceremony go to one 7th and 8th grade student and one high school student for a special demonstration of one of our seven virtues.

High School (9-12)

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.

Expanded High School elective offerings include: Problems & Principles of Engineering (Dr. Han), Ethics (Dr. Kapelina-Thomas), Creative Writing (Mr. McClatchey), Theatre (Dr. Kapelina-Thomas), Studio Art (Mrs. Collier-Johnston), Other Voices (Mr. Hawkins), Major Movements and Ideologies of the Modern World (Mr. Rosenzweig).

New in 2024-2025: Film (Mr. Ostapiej), A History of China (Dr. Farmer), Philosophy of Religion (Dr. Kapelina-Thomas), Human Happiness (Mr. Hawkins), and Yearbook (Mrs. Hobby-Thompson).

In recent years, these have become more central in upper school ACA. Our elective offerings respond both to student interest and to teacher expertise. Students who take advantage of these elective courses seriously enrich their educational experience.

Senior Thesis

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.

Foreign Language

AP Sequence

The AP Sequence: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, and AP Latin. Though we have not elected to offer all of our core curriculum in AP format, we have created a sequence of courses that students may begin to take in their sophomore year of high school. The six ‘STEM’ offerings are a robust sequence for students who choose to begin pursuing this route in 10th grade.

Student Services Department

The following services are available to ACA students to assist them academically. To discuss eligibility for these programs, see the contact information below:

ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages)
Support for students who are English language learners.
Ms. Hendley (K-12) - mhendley@atlantaclassical.org

504 Plans
Intended for students with medically documented disabilities (temporary or long-term) who may benefit from accommodations at school.

Mrs. Boyd (Grades 7-12) - rboyd@atlantaclassical.org

IEP (Individualized Education Program)

Intended for students who qualify for special education services and would require an individualized education plan.

Mrs. Nash (Grades K-12) - anash@atlantaclassical.org

If you have any questions or concerns regarding additional academic support or services for your child or if you have not shared information about a previous plan that was in place for your child, please reach out to Ms. Messiah (Grades K-12) - emessiah@atlantaclassical.org.