Upper School (9-12)
Our academics provide a solid foundation across all disciplines while leaving space for individual pursuits and passions. At Friends Select, learning is meant to cajole, to provoke, to inspire, to deepen, and to connect. By providing students with a program designed to teach kids how to think and not what to think, our students demonstrate independence and agency in their work in and out of school.
We offer a broad range of electives in every subject. Students have a hand in designing their course selection around their interests so they can work toward the college that’s best for them—be that a top-tier research university or a prestigious art school. We see students refining both their skills for college and their interest in their high school years: some students pursue internships with local colleges and universities, while others show dedication to an ongoing service project.
We challenge students to pursue their individual interests. We never dictate the path of success. We give students ownership over their own future, and help them achieve their goals.
Curricular Structure
Our Upper School curriculum focuses on mastery of core academic subjects, with an emphasis on research skills, writing, problem solving, and public speaking. Over four years, we challenge students with increasing levels of independence, critical thinking, problem solving and leadership.
Ninth and Tenth Grades
The first two years of Upper School build a strong foundation. Students explore diverse subjects and learn to think from multiple perspectives. Students explore culture through the lenses of literature, history, philosophy, religion, and art. Most ninth and tenth grade students take the following course load*:
Ninth Grade Course Load |
Tenth Grade Course Load |
English 9: Explorations of Genre |
English 10: World Literature |
History 9: The Medieval World |
History 10: Modern World History |
Geometry (or Algebra I or II, or more advanced courses) |
Algebra II (or Geometry or Precalculus, or more advanced courses) |
Physics |
Chemistry |
Language (Latin, Spanish, or Mandarin) |
Language (Latin, Spanish, or Mandarin) |
Physical Education (half year) |
Physical Education (half year) |
Religious Thought (half year) |
Religious Thought (half year) |
Visual or Performing Arts |
Visual or Performing Arts |
* Note that 6 courses are required and many students take 7 courses to preserve 1 study hall period per day. On occasion, a family may petition the school for a student to take 8 courses.
Eleventh and Twelfth Grades
In the final two years of Upper School, students gain independence and put theory into practice. Community service projects, internships, electives, and independent study opportunities help students pursue their interests and become active citizens of the wider world. Below are two examples of what eleventh and twelfth grade students can take*:
Eleventh Grade Course Load (with a focus on the humanities) |
Twelfth Grade Course Load (with a focus on math and science) |
English 11: American Literature |
English 12 English Electives (Shakespeare (Semester 1) and Caribbean Voices (Semester 2) |
History 11: U.S. History and Politics |
History 12 History Electives: History of Political Imagery (Semester 2) |
Latin IV |
Advanced Chemistry |
Precalculus |
Anatomy and Physiology (Semester 1) |
Biology |
Calculus |
English Elective: The Power of Memory (Memoir Reading and Writing)- (Semester 1) |
Statistics |
History Elective: History of Race and Gender- (Semester 2) |
Computer Science |
*Most eleventh and twelfth grade students take 6 courses per year, but some opt for one more or less, depending on outside of school commitments.