Upper School

The Upper School is comprised of grades 7 –12 and operates on a more traditional schedule in which each class lasts two semesters. The offerings include grade level, Advanced Placement, and honors options. The classes generally convene for 45 minutes a day, with an extended class period one day a week to accommodate projects, local field trips, and assessments. Upperclassmen may also choose to use two successive blocks to take courses at Southside Virginia Community College, Hampden-Sydney College, or Longwood University. Class sizes range from four to twenty-four, with the average size being sixteen. The eight-block day includes room for seven courses, or six and an optional study hall, with one block dedicated to an extended lunch/club meeting time daily. This scheduling system reduces gaps in instruction and skill progression from year to year and affords students an opportunity to participate in multi-age lunches and club meetings.

CURRICULUM/COURSE OF STUDY
RECOMMENDED PROGRESSION OF CORE COURSES

Grade 7

English 7  
Civics 
Pre-Algebra or Math 7  
Life Science 
PE/ Health  
Spanish/ STEAM/ Technology  
Intermediate Band/Art 

 

Grade 8

English 8
Geography  
Pre-Algebra or Algebra I  
Physical Science  
Spanish/STEAM 
PE/Health 
Intermediate Band/Art 

Grade 9

English 9 (College Prep or Honors)  
World History 9  
Algebra I (CP) or Geometry (Honors)   
Earth Science   
Spanish I  
Steam/ Technology 
Concert Band /Art /Theater /Fitness /Graphic Design

Grade 10

English 10 (College Prep or Honors)  
World History 10 (CP or Honors)  
Geometry (CP) or Algebra II (Honors)  
Biology (CP or Honors)  
Dr’s Ed/ Health  
Spanish II or Latin II  
Concert Band /Art /Theater /Fitness /Yearbook 

Grade 11

English 11 (CP) or AP English Language and Composition  
U.S. History (CP) or AP U.S. History  
Algebra II (CP) or Pre-Calculus (Honors)  
Chemistry (CP) or Chemistry (Honors)   
Bridgebuilders/ or Communications  
Spanish III or Latin III  
Concert Band/ Art/ Theater/ Fitness/ Graphic Design 

 

Grade 12

English 12 (CP) or AP English Literature and Composition  
Government (CP) or AP U.S. Government  
Honors Pre-Cal or Honors Calculus

A.P. Environmental/Honors Physics/Elective

Spanish IV

Electives: Marketing & Entrepreneurship/ Band/ Art/Theater/ Fitness/ Graphic Design/ Personal Finance and Economics
 

*Extended campus offerings: College Courses online or at nearby colleges  

 

 

Electives

 AP Science or Honors Science—Environmental, Physics Biology, etc.
 Elective Science—Anatomy, Physics, other 

 Senior Seminar* (grade 12 only) 

Band

Bridgbuilders
 Economics/Personal Finance 

History Elective 
 Latin  
 Spanish 1-4 

World Religions

 Psychology  
 Theater 
 Graphic Design 

Fitness 

STEAM/Technology
 Internships and Externships 



For more information regarding courses and electives, please visit our Parent-Student Handbook