Upper School

Size

There are approximately 72 students in each of the three Upper School grade levels: sixth, seventh and eighth. Class sizes are usually 18 students. Approximately 18 students join the school in sixth grade. Each student is a member of a small homeroom grouping of 12 students. Each student has an advisor who is also one of their academic subject teachers.

Program

Upper School offers a challenging curriculum with a mixture of traditional and progressive approaches to teaching and learning.

Upper School students take English, Spanish, history, mathematics, science, art, music, drama, and physical education.

Classrooms are highly interactive. Learning to be an effective learner is an integral part of all courses and assessment. Students participate fully in art, music, drama and physical education programs.

In addition, Physical Education is complimented by an optional, but very popular after school athletic program. And, Spanish is treated as a full academic class (five class meetings a week).

The overall Upper School curriculum includes drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs, health and human body education, including sex education, AIDS prevention, internet safety and media literacy.

The Upper School also has a number of activities and clubs students can join which include Community Service Club, Chorus, Math Club, Robotics, Battery Club, World Beat Band, Fall Play, and Winter Play.

Each grade level has certain special activities which enhance our program and extend learning to off site locations. For example, Sixth graders have a two-day, one-night overnight in a local natural area. Seventh graders go on a week-long backpacking trip at Joshua Tree. Eighth graders participate in a three–week long experiential learning projects such as producing an original play, intensive field oceanography studies, and studio art work making sculptures, collage and painting culminating in mounting a gallery exhibition.

Service Learning

Eighth graders participate in a week of service learning off campus. The student-run Community Service Club has worked on issues involving homelessness, hunger, AIDS, aging, and the environment. The club provides students with hands-on service learning opportunities. Upper Schoolers can also volunteer at after-school day care centers in San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood.

Teachers

The departmental structure in Upper School assures high quality curriculum development, implementation and coordination and is personalized by highly effective grade level teams who serve both as advisors and teachers of a grade level.

Upper School teachers have a strong commitment to helping students take to heart and practice the school's core values of respect, responsibility and compassion.