Academics
Rigorous, inquiry-led, evidence-based
Across all 13 grades, our academic program emphasizes deep thinking, durable skill-building, and intellectual curiosity. Less rote memorization; more questioning.
Academic outcomes
96%
Class of 2025: 4-year college
$84K
Avg merit/aid awards · Class of 2025
12:1
Student-faculty ratio
14–17
Class size range
Lower School (K-4)
Foundation years
Reading + writing — phonics-grounded
Structured phonics-based reading instruction K-2. Whole-language + critical-reading approaches added 3-4. Strong literacy foundation by age 8.
Math — concrete to abstract
Singapore Math program K-4. Number sense, mental math, problem-solving. Strong foundation before transitioning to Middle School algebra.
Science + nature program
Hands-on science K-4. Outdoor classroom on our 64-acre campus. Forest school model 2 days/week K-2; outdoor labs for older grades.
Social studies — local to global
Concentric-rings approach. K: family + classroom. 1-2: school + town. 3-4: state + nation + early global geography. Inquiry-based.
Arts + music
Daily art, music, drama. Visiting-artist residencies twice annually. Choir + recorder + violin programs starting Grade 1.
Physical education + outdoor program
Daily outdoor recess + PE. Cross-country running club Grade 2+. Skiing program (Lincoln area) for full Lower School. Connection to outdoors as core value.
Middle School (5-8)
Bridge years
Humanities — integrated history + English
Combined curriculum. Reading + writing + history together. Each year focuses on a region/period: Grade 5 Ancient World; 6 Medieval Europe + Asia; 7 Modern Europe + Americas; 8 Civics + identity.
Math — algebra + foundations
Pre-algebra Grade 5-6. Algebra I Grade 7-8 (some students complete in Grade 7). Geometry available for advanced Grade 8. Strong middle-school math = strong upper-school math.
Science — earth, life, physical, environmental
One major science discipline per year. Grade 5: earth science. 6: life science. 7: physical science. 8: environmental science. Lab-based throughout.
World language — Spanish or Mandarin
Choose Spanish or Mandarin Grade 5. Continuous through Grade 8 (or switch with department approval). Conversational fluency goal by Grade 8.
Arts + music — choice + depth
Choose 2 arts each trimester (visual, music, drama, dance). Most students try multiple before committing to depth. Interdisciplinary projects across years.
Athletics + outdoor education
Tryout-based teams Grade 6+. Cross-country, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, sailing. Multi-day outdoor education trips Grade 5 + 8 (Cape Cod, Acadia, Vermont).
Upper School (9-12)
College preparatory + beyond
English — 4 years required
Literature + writing emphasis. Genre exploration (poetry, drama, novel, essay). Capstone Senior Project explores a chosen topic in depth. AP English Lit + Lang available.
Math — through calculus + beyond
Algebra II → Pre-Calc → Calc → AP Calc AB/BC → Multivariable Calc + Linear Algebra. About 18% of students complete college-level math by graduation.
Science — biology, chemistry, physics + electives
Three lab sciences required. AP options in Biology, Chemistry, Physics (AB + BC). Electives in Environmental Science, Astronomy, Neuroscience, Engineering.
History + social studies
World History 9, US History 10, Modern World 11. Senior electives in Economics, Comparative Government, Constitutional Law. Capstone research paper Senior year.
World language — through advanced
Spanish or Mandarin through Honors levels. AP Spanish + AP Chinese available. Language-immersion summer programs supported.
Arts + electives
Two years arts required. Visual arts, music (orchestra, jazz band, choir), drama (productions per term), film/digital media. AP Studio Art + AP Music Theory available.
Athletics — required all 4 years
Three seasons of athletic participation each year. Tryout-based varsity + JV teams. Cross-country, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, sailing, fencing, crew, cross-country skiing.
Senior projects + capstones
Every senior completes a Senior Project — research-based + project-based work. Some are scientific research; some are creative; some are community-engagement projects. Public defense in spring.
Academic questions
What parents ask
- No. Our program develops broad analytical + communication skills. Standardized test outcomes (SAT, AP, college acceptances) are excellent because students are well-educated, not because we drill for tests.