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Welcome to the Upper School!
We cannot wait for you to join our dynamic community, and we are eager to share our academic program with you. The Upper School offers a wide array of programs, research opportunities, and community and student organizations. With this in mind, we have developed a process specifically designed for our new students to guide and support your entrance to our community. Over the next few months, you will have a range of opportunities to:
Build Connections: New students will be paired with a current student who will offer a personal connection to our community and serve as a guiding resource for questions. In the next month, you will also meet your academic advisor, who will support you throughout your first year in the Upper School.
Learn About the Academic Program: Our 2021-2022 Academic Catalog will open to new students on April 30th. There, you will be able to view our course offerings and signature programs for the upcoming school year. In addition, on May 5th, we will host a webinar tailored specifically for new 10th-12th grade students and their families. You will meet your teaching team, Class Dean, and program directors for the next year. The webinar will provide plenty of time for questions and introductions.
Get Ready: In addition to course registration, the summer will bring access to our online bookstore, as well as information for Pre-Season Athletics (August 23 - September 3) and New Student Orientation (September 1-3).
As you review the academic registration calendar below, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions. All of us on the Upper School Faculty look forward to an exciting year ahead!
Dr. Andrew Ruoss
Upper School Academic Dean
e: andrew.ruoss@gcds.net
p: 203-542-0033
New 10th-12th Grade Students
New 10th-12th Grade Students
Registration Checklist
Registration Checklist
Each student has 8 course periods in their schedule. A student must be registered for 7 courses in order to be considered a fully registered student in good standing.
Most students register for 7 courses, along with a study hall (proctored in 9th and 10th grades). Please consult with your advisor if you wish to register for 8 courses.
In their course selection, students should work with their advisor to ensure progress toward fulfilling the Upper School's Graduation Requirements. They should also consult with the coordinator for any Diploma Program in which they are enrolled.
For the 11th and 12th Grades, we ask that students rank their elective options (1 - 3) for Science, Social Science, and English. As we develop each student's personalized schedule, we make every effort to accommodate as many of their first choices as possible. In order to ensure this access, we may need to move to a student's second or third choice in a particular discipline.
Starting in Grade 10, students may double up on Social Science, Math, Science, or English courses, taking a second full core course in place of an elective (for example, a 10th grade student could register for both American Studies - History and an 11/12 Social Sciences elective course). This opportunity is designed for students who exhibit a particular passion and advanced ability in a subject area, and students must complete this form with their advisor, securing the permission of their advisor and the Academic Dean.
Students should discuss Honors options with their advisor and with their teachers. The College Counseling Office guidance is that students should pursue these challenges only if they have demonstrated ability, authentic passion, and faculty placement support for that area of study. A grade that does not reflect strong performance in an Honors course will not serve as an advantage in the college process.
Registration for the Honors options for 11th and 12th grade Science, English, and Social Science electives requires that the student submit a 1 page statement along with course registration (for each Honors course). Teachers will use this statement to work with each student in goal setting. Students should also review the honors policy included on the Sciences, Social Sciences, and English sections of this curriculum guide.
Students may add or drop a course prior to the Add/Drop Date: Sept 30, 2021 (Semester 1); February 23, 2022 (Semester II).
Students will register for Intersession 2022 during the fall semester.
Students will be automatically registered for the Seminar course required for their grade level.
Please mark your calendars for the evening of Wednesday, May 5. The Upper School Faculty will host a webinar for new 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students. This will include an overview of our Academic Program, highlights of our new offerings, as well as breakout zoom sessions for each grade and information for our five specialized Diploma Programs.
Grade 10 Registration
Grade 10 Registration
History 10 American Studies *
Honors Option Available
English 10 American Studies *
Honors Option Available
Chemistry *
Honors Option Available
Math *
Level Recommended by Math Faculty
World Language *
Level Recommended by World Languages Faculty
Seminar 10: Systems Thinking *
Elective/Arts
Study Hall/Elective/Arts
* Required Course
Recommended Sequence - Consult Advisor & College Counseling Office.
Grade 11 Registration
Grade 11 Registration
English 11/12 Elective(s)
Honors & Advanced Options Available
History/Social Sciences 11/12 Elective(s)
Honors Options Available
Science, Advanced Science, and Science Elective Courses
Math
Level Recommended by Math Faculty
World Language
Level Recommended by World Languages Faculty
Seminar 11 - Junior Thesis & College Process *
Elective/Arts
Study Hall/Elective/Arts
* Required Course
Recommended Sequence - Consult Advisor & College Counseling Office.
Grade 12 Registration
Grade 12 Registration
English 11/12 Elective(s)
Honors & Advanced Options Available
History/Social Sciences 11/12 Elective(s)
Honors Options Available
Science, Advanced Science, and Science Elective Courses
Math
Level Recommended by Math Faculty
World Language
Level Recommended by World Languages Faculty
Seminar 12 - Senior Internship & College Process *
Elective/Arts
Study Hall/Elective/Arts
* Required Course
Recommended Sequence - Consult Advisor & College Counseling Office.
Link to download the Registration Calendar
Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements
Our Graduation Requirements are designed to ensure maximum flexibility for our students, encouraging their greatest ambition in the pursuit of their learning. These requirements serve as broad guardrails, and do not represent the total academic experience of any of our students. For example, more than 90% of our students pursue 4 years of one or more world languages. All students must be enrolled in at least 7 courses each semester.
Humanities (English, History/Social Science): 7 credits (Required 4 years of English and at least 3 years of Social Science)
STEM (Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Math): 6 credits with a minimal completion of Algebra II in Math (Recommended at least 3 years of Math and Science, including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics)
Seminar: 4 credits
World Language: Minimum of 2 credits in target language with demonstrated proficiency at a Level III course required (A three year minimum recommended sequence)
Arts (visual or performing): 1 credit
Team & Fitness: 2 seasons team and 2 seasons fitness per year***
Intersession Experience: 4 years (passing grade)
Junior Thesis: (passing grade)
Presentation of Learning: 4 years (passing grade)
*A full-year course earns one credit, a semester course earns ½ credit.
**In the case of a cross-listed course, a student may count the course only once toward their graduation requirements.
***Every student is required to participate in two (2) team activities and two (2) fitness activities annually. Participation on a sports team, whether interscholastic or club, will count for one team activity and one fitness activity. Other examples of team activities can be co-curricular clubs (robotics team, Model UN, debate club, etc) and performing arts options (fall musical, jazz band, acapella groups, etc). Obtaining a fitness requirement, other than participating in interscholastic and intramural teams, could include partaking in a school offered fitness program (strength and conditioning, spin class, yoga, etc ) for 90 minutes a week through the fall or spring term.
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