Upper School
My favorite class so far has been Algorithms and Data Structure. It's a computer science elective.
During the upper school years, our students make deep connections with their teachers and their peers. They become part of a tight-knit community committed to learning and discovering their talents and passion.
Latin students actively shape their academic program. The upper school curriculum begins with everything you would expect in a college preparatory high school—literature and history surveys, biology, chemistry, physics, algebra, calculus, geometry, language. But Latin takes it a step beyond. We offer our students exceptional educational opportunities and ask them to dig deep, think critically and commit themselves to fully pursuing their intellectual passions both inside and outside the classroom.
Latin’s educational approach is student- centered and individualized. By understanding how each child learns best, our teachers help students identify their passions and take on new challenges.
Latin students love learning. They are encouraged to do, to create, to try and to fail. The focus is on the process, not the outcome, which helps students build resilience, remain intrinsically motivated and succeed.
How We Approach Teaching and Learning
Learn how our students leave Latin equipped with powerful skills to solve today's and tomorrow's challenges.
Experience Academic Excellence
A Wide Variety of Courses and Innovative Elective
We offer more than 160 courses each year.
Small Classes
Small class size encourages continual interaction and sharing of ideas.
- average class size: 14
- student-to-faculty ratio is 8:1
Strong Teacher/Student Relationships
Teachers are passionate about their subject areas and are available to students inside and outside the classroom.
Freedom to Pursue a Passion and Create Your Own Class.
If you have a passion for languages, for instance, you can double up. Take French and Chinese, Latin or Spanish for example.
Students can develop independent study courses where they work one-on-one with a faculty member on a self-designed curriculum.
I understood the value of this education first hand when I went off to college. My persistence and strong desire to learn and connect with my professors was a reflection of the close relationships I made with my teachers at Latin.
Experiential Learning
Learning at Latin is experiential and project-based, including simulations, mock trials and hands-on lab work.
Examples of experiential learning:
- Antigone performance for Global Cities
- tenth grade Nuremberg Trials simulation
- senior projects
- Project Week
When students are conscious and proactive about learning, it provokes a more personal response to engaging with the material.
seeing stars
The upper school Advanced Acting Company class performed the play “Silent Sky” by Lauren Gunderson during the 2018-19 school year. This true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, whose quest to measure the distance of stars begins at Harvard Observatory and ends up changing our understanding of the universe.
Advanced Acting Company is made up of juniors and seniors who have taken classes in the upper school acting curriculum. The course culminates in a production fully produced and managed by students. With the rehearsal process embedded into class time throughout the semester, it allows the cast and crew to delve deeper into the play, spending more time on script and character analysis, ensemble building and dramaturgy, while also providing students opportunities to oversee behind-the-scenes work like costume and makeup design.
At Latin, I value the project-based learning where students are able to take their own interests outside of school and bring them into the classroom and share their passions with others authentically.
I love the way that Latin accepts everyone. No matter race, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc., Latin is always accepting and welcoming to everyone.
Latin emphasizes self-advocacy and empowers students to ask questions and explore, not to study and regurgitate answers.
I chose to become a student at Latin because I am interested in a wide range of topics that expand far beyond the traditional academics curriculum, and Latin has fulfilled that expectation vey well.
FAQ
- How do you support students new to the school?
- How are parents kept apprised of their child’s progress?
- There are so many course possibilities! How do students choose what is best for them?
- What is Latin’s schedule?
- How big are classes?
- How many AP courses does Latin offer?
- Do students have the opportunity to focus on one specific area of study?
- Can students receive college credit for work done at Latin?
- What opportunities for leadership exist for my child?
How do you support students new to the school?
How are parents kept apprised of their child’s progress?
There are so many course possibilities! How do students choose what is best for them?
What is Latin’s schedule?
How big are classes?
How many AP courses does Latin offer?
Do students have the opportunity to focus on one specific area of study?
Can students receive college credit for work done at Latin?
What opportunities for leadership exist for my child?
Do you have questions? We would love to hear from you.

Suzanne Callis
Titles:
Dean of Community Learning, Upper School English
Degrees:
B.A. Keene State College
M.A. Middlebury College
M.A. Middlebury College

Timothy Cronister
Titles:
Director of Student Life
Degrees:
B.A. Haverford College
M.A. New York University
M.A. New York University

Joseph Edwards
Titles:
11th and 12th Grade Dean of Students
Degrees:
B.A. University of Chicago
M.A. University of Chicago
M.A. University of Chicago

Bridget Hennessy
Titles:
9th and 10th Grade Dean of Students, Upper School History
Degrees:
B.A. Loyola University-New Orleans
M.A. University of New Orleans
M.A. University of New Orleans

Karen Horvath
Titles:
Assistant Director of the Upper School
Degrees:
B.A. DePaul University
M.A. Argosy University
M.A. Argosy University
upper school
Excellence. Integrity. Community.
