Upper School

American literature, novels, novellas, essays, autobiographies and poems from the Puritans through the moderns. Authors include James Baldwin, Anne Bradstreet, Willa Cather, W. E. B. DuBois, Frederick Douglass, Benjamin Franklin, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Toni Morrison, Claudia Rankine, Phyllis Wheatley Peters and Zitkala-Sa. Close reading, analytical writing and creative writing. 

Provides students with a strong foundation in historical reasoning so that they can understand and engage in complex historical inquiry as well as with the competing narratives that form the basis of this nation’s history. Through analysis of primary and secondary sources, scaffolded research and writing projects, students will develop the skills necessary to ask meaningful questions about all aspects of American history, from the colonial period to the present, and to find answers. In keeping with Brearley’s commitment to antiracism, students will consider fundamental questions about the struggle of various groups in their quest to become full members of “We, the People.”

In the fall, readings from either Caesar’s De Bello Gallico or Cicero’s In Catilinam; in the spring, selections from Books I, II and IV of Vergil’s Aeneid.

Focus on the actor’s art: script analysis; developing a character; the actor as an interpreter of the playwright’s story. This culminates in the performance of a play newly commissioned by a professional playwright for each year’s ensemble in the winter. In the spring, students explore scenes from plays in a variety of styles and genres. (half credit; throughout the year)

Practice in refined observational drawing and explorations of various two-dimensional media at the teacher's discretion. One museum study assignment is required. (half credit; throughout the year)

Throughout the Upper School, the five core competencies of social and emotional intelligence are integrated into a solid health education. Curriculum covers mindfulness, values clarification, relationships, human sexuality, media literacy, and drug and alcohol education. Classes are designed to promote small group discussion and culminate in a project in which students design public service announcements on topics of their choice. 

Class X students take algebra. Three different tracks are offered and placement is determined with the help of the math faculty.

Investigation into the nature of matter and chemical change. Topics include electron configuration, bonding, gas behavior, the concept of moles, stoichiometry, equilibrium, redox reactions, thermochemistry and acid-base chemistry. Whenever possible, the course explores the chemistry of environmental issues, and it culminates in an independent research project.

Students continue with their study of modern languages, either French, Spanish or Mandarin.

Although music is no longer a required course in Upper School, Class X students have the opportunity to delve into different courses including vocal work, orchestra or instrumental techniques.

Throughout the Upper School, offerings vary by trimester, including courses on fitness, dance, sports, special programming and mindfulness; emphasis on lifelong fitness and exercise. Students are required to complete one semester of Health in Class IX and to become certified in First Aid/ CPR before graduation. This course, offered to Classes XI and XII, follows the American Heart Association training course for first responders.

Students have many opportunities to pursue their interests beyond the curriculum. The School offers arts activities—photography, sculpture, ceramics, dramatic productions, orchestra and chorus, for example—in addition to the regular courses, as well as writing and publishing opportunities. Students in the Upper School may be admitted to Brearley’s Advanced Science Research Seminar or Poetry Workshop; they may also participate in clubs that focus on model government, robotics, debate and many other topics; they may join Interschool advanced math courses as juniors or seniors.

Fall elective in poetic analysis, winter required course on drama and a spring elective on narrative works. During the winter course, students read Oedipus Rex, a play by Shakespeare and a modern play. The fall and corresponding spring electives for 2024–2025 are listed in the link

Below are representative samples of the electives offered to Classes XI and XII. Not all classes may be given in a particular year.

Students continue with their study of modern languages, either French, Spanish or Mandarin, delving deeper into literature and culture.

Students in Class XI have the opportunity to explore different media through their course selection.

Although music is no longer a required course in Upper School, Class XI students have the opportunity to delve into different courses including vocal work, orchestra or instrumental techniques.

Throughout the Upper School, offerings vary by trimester, including courses on fitness, dance, sports, special programming and mindfulness; emphasis on lifelong fitness and exercise. Students are required to complete one semester of Health in Class IX and to become certified in First Aid/ CPR before graduation. This course, offered to Classes XI and XII, follows the American Heart Association training course for first responders.

Students have many opportunities to pursue their interests beyond the curriculum. The School offers arts activities—photography, sculpture, ceramics, dramatic productions, orchestra and chorus, for example—in addition to the regular courses, as well as writing and publishing opportunities. Students in the Upper School may be admitted to Brearley’s Advanced Science Research Seminar or Poetry Workshop; they may also participate in clubs that focus on model government, robotics, debate and many other topics; they may join Interschool advanced math courses as juniors or seniors.

In the last year of required math, Class XI students can take precalculus, calculus, statistics or other math electives.

Students in Class XI have the choice to pursue subjects in biological or physical sciences.

In Class XI, selections of Latin texts are studied and Greek is introduced.

PLAYWRITING (half credit; spring semester): introduction to the art and craft of playwriting. Students write and edit their own short plays; at the end of the semester there is a lightly staged presentation to the public using student actors.

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE (half credit): introduction to the concepts of computer science utilizing the Python programming language. Topics include recursion, computer security, algorithm complexity and game programming.

Throughout the Upper School, the five core competencies of social and emotional intelligence are integrated into a solid health education. Curriculum covers mindfulness, values clarification, relationships, human sexuality, media literacy, and drug and alcohol education. Classes are designed to promote small group discussion and culminate in a project in which students design public service announcements on topics of their choice. 

Required unit of essays by Joan Didion and James Baldwin; discursive essay writing, analytical writing, creative writing. Electives from late fall through the winter term; electives in the spring term determined by interests of students (in recent years, primarily individual projects in fiction, drama or writing). The fall electives for 2024–2025 are listed below.

Below are representative samples of the electives offered to Classes XI and XII. Not all classes may be given in a particular year.

Students continue with their study of modern languages, either French, Spanish or Mandarin, delving deeper into literature and culture.

Students in Class XII have the opportunity to explore different media through their course selection.

Although music is no longer a required course in Upper School, Class XII students have the opportunity to delve into different courses including vocal work, orchestra or instrumental techniques.

Throughout the Upper School, offerings vary by trimester, including courses on fitness, dance, sports, special programming and mindfulness; emphasis on lifelong fitness and exercise. Students are required to complete one semester of Health in Class IX and to become certified in First Aid/ CPR before graduation. This course, offered to Classes XI and XII, follows the American Heart Association training course for first responders.

Students have many opportunities to pursue their interests beyond the curriculum. The School offers arts activities—photography, sculpture, ceramics, dramatic productions, orchestra and chorus, for example—in addition to the regular courses, as well as writing and publishing opportunities. Students in the Upper School may be admitted to Brearley’s Advanced Science Research Seminar or Poetry Workshop; they may also participate in clubs that focus on model government, robotics, debate and many other topics; they may join Interschool advanced math courses as juniors or seniors.

For students choosing to continue their studies of mathematics, we offer a variety of course options.

Students in Class XII have the choice to pursue subjects in biological or physical sciences.

In Class XII, students can go further in their study of Latin or Greek.

ACTING AND DRAMATIC LITERATURE (half credit; throughout the year): this course combines the study of major plays, predominantly modern, with the opportunity to perform in an intensive scene workshop. Playwrights in the syllabus include Williams, Miller, Ibsen, Wilson, Treadwell, Hansberry and Kushner. The class meets at least two evenings in the semester to attend professional theater productions.

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE (half credit): introduction to the concepts of computer science utilizing the Python programming language. Topics include recursion, computer security, algorithm complexity and game programming.

ADVANCED COMPUTER SCIENCE: students learn to write, test and debug efficient programs using multiple classes and interacting objects. The focus is on object-oriented programming using Java, although students will be exposed to a variety of languages. Students who take this course will be prepared for the AP Computer Science A exam.

Throughout the Upper School, the five core competencies of social and emotional intelligence are integrated into a solid health education. Curriculum covers mindfulness, values clarification, relationships, human sexuality, media literacy, and drug and alcohol education. Classes are designed to promote small group discussion and culminate in a project in which students design public service announcements on topics of their choice.