Wardlaw+Hartridge View Book

T
Bob Bowman, Ph.D.
Head of The Upper School
he Upper School
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The Upper School curriculum
is dynamic and focused on
preparing students for success in
college. Some highlights include:
+ Tailoring to each student’s
strengths and interests
through 100 courses, 18 AP
classes, a rigorous Capstone
program, and a wide range
of electives.
Students in The Upper School are adventurous. They continually challenge
themselves with guidance and encouragement from teachers, coaches, advisors,
and mentors who know them individually and care about them deeply.
From Ninth Grade to Twelfth Grade, students pursue an arc of intellectual and
social growth that prepares them to be pioneering thinkers. They build a strong
foundation of skills in the disciplines of history, English, mathematics, science,
and world languages. In small classroom settings, teachers challenge students
to develop sophisticated thinking and communication skills, to ask probing
questions, to examine evidence and create thoughtful syntheses, to propose
insightful solutions to problems, and to wrestle with difficult dilemmas.
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Students choose their own path in other ways, too, with the opportunity to
take leadership roles in athletics, the arts, service learning, clubs, publications,
student government, or areas of their own invention.
One of the culminating events in a student’s tenure at W+H is his or her Senior
Speech. Each senior presents a talk to the entire community of The Upper
School, sharing inspiration and wisdom they have acquired in their time here.
These are passionate reflections, delivered with poise and confidence.
Laughter, and sometimes tears, abound throughout the audience.
More than just prepared for the world, students graduate from The Upper
School prepared to transform it. In ways small and large but always for the
better, they are Pioneering Thinkers. We are quite proud of them and grateful
for the privilege of having shared in their lives.
+ Emphasizing project-based
learning with extended
investigations of authentic,
complex problems that
require students to seek out
new understanding and
apply previously acquired
knowledge.
+ Facilitating opportunities for
hands-on creativity, whether
it’s our Broadcast Engineering
course in our television studio;
the Independent School Film
Festival; an outstanding
visual arts program; and
courses in Design Thinking,
Coding, and Engineering.
+ Providing a unique Global
Scholars Program for students
interested in developing
their understanding of
diverse cultures, international
affairs, and global
stewardship.