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"Latin has an enduring commitment to active learning. This is apparent from the beginning
of Upper School, when all ninth grade Humanities students not only read and analyze
historical texts and great works of western literature, but they also create great
art and become a theater company to perform a play."
— Upper School Director |
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Imagine a group of students, some still in costume, gathered in the theatre
after completing their Humanities class assignment, a reenactment of
Socrates' trial
for treason. To spur discussion, their teacher asks about the ethical
issues raised by this pivotal moment in history and how they relate to
those addressed
in Homer's The Odyssey. Several students weigh in with their ideas, and a passionate
debate ensues about whether anyone should have the power to place limits
on free thinking.
After class, the discussion may continue in the hallway, or be taken to a new level in the cafeteria. It may even spill into one student's next class, be it science, math, or art, where the core ideas may get a whole new perspective.
Scenes like this are not uncommon in the Upper School, where visitors frequently remark on the lively nature of classroom discussion and intellectual camaraderie. Academic life is not confined to the classroom, and academic inquiry does
not stop when the last class of the day comes to a close.
How do students prepare for such involved, passionate discourse? With a rigorous set of required courses, complemented by a full range of elective offerings in a
wide variety of disciplines. The English Department alone offers nearly two dozen elective courses each year. The Upper School offers more than 16 Advanced Placement courses, several honors level courses, and a well-supported program of independent study. In all types of classes, discussion and debate are valued highly.
But perhaps even more important to each student's success is the culture of respect that exists in the Upper School. Students know that their teachers are experts in
their field, and absolutely dedicated to helping them grow as scholars and as people. Teachers admire the hard work that students perform every day, and the energy, enthusiasm, and integrity they bring to their studies. Teachers have high expectations, and students rarely disappoint.
Upper School students benefit from the School's location in a vibrant city. Art students not only visit art galleries and museums, they also exhibit their own work there. Music students take field trips to theaters and concert halls, and participate in groups like the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. History, English, and language classes use the city's many cultural and educational institutions both as inspiration and as study sites.
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