Academics
Upper School
The Upper School Difference
Montrose students build a solid core of academic strength through our rich liberal arts curriculum, studying carefully curated texts that reflect both ancient wisdom and modern research. Our signature character and leadership program is infused into everything we do. Students graduate with the good habits of mind, heart and character needed to thrive in college and beyond.
Academics & Character: 2 Sides of the Same Coin
9th Grade
Theme: Civic Friendship
Essential Question: Given that friendship is essential to individual and community flourishing, how can we cultivate a broad spirit of friendship, marked by generosity, curiosity and affection for others?
Signature Program: Freshman Forum Design Thinking Workshop at Bryant College
10th Grade
Theme: Solidarity in Service to Others
Essential Question: Given that people are our brothers and sisters in a shared humanity, how can we contribute to others' good, especially those in need?
Signature Program: Sophomore Symposium; service projects and activities throughout the year focused on the Corporal Works of Mercy
11th Grade
Theme: Courageous Dialogue & Citizenship
Essential Question: How can we create a school community that fosters courage to stand up for our convictions while remaining open to understanding and growing from dialogue with others, in ways that build a more flourishing civic culture?
Signature Program: Junior Journey; class trip designed by students reflecting together on the needs of the class
12th Grade
Theme: Leadership to Engage the World
Essential Question: How can we cultivate vision, collaboration, and a spirit of service to effectively lead others to transform our world in small and large ways?
Signature Programs: Senior Summit leadership symposium; Senior Capstone Speaker Series
List of 1 items.
-
9th Grade Course Map
English
Genres of Literature (H1/H2)
Sample texts include: Great Expectations (Dickens), The Odyssey (Homer)
History
Western Civilization (H1/H2)
Math
Geometry (CP or H)
Algebra II (H)
Introduction to Calculus
Science
Biology (CP or H)
Computer Science Principles (AP)
Classical & World Language
Latin II
French I
Spanish I
Theology & Philosophy
Tracing God's Plan Through Salvation History
Electives
Drawing
PE
Handbells
Theater Tech
Acting
List of 1 items.
-
10th Grade Course Map
English
British Literature (H1/H2)
Sample texts include: Pride & Prejudice (Austen), Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare)
History
European History (H or AP)
Math
Algebra II (CP or H)
Introduction to Calculus
Science
Chemistry (CP or H)
Biology (AP)
Computer Science
Principles (AP)
Classical & World Languages
Latin III
French II
Spanish II
Theology & Philosophy
Theology 10: Discovering the Fullness of Human Dignity
Electives
Drawing
Painting
Handbells
Chorus
Modern Fitness
Theater Tech
Acting
List of 1 items.
-
11th Grade Course Map
English
Language & Composition (AP)
American Literature (H)
Sample texts include: The Scarlet Letter (Hawthorne), Macbeth (Shakespeare)
History
US History ( H or AP)
Math
Intro to Calculus
Pre-Calculus (H)
Calculus AB (AP)
Calculus BC (AP)
Functions, Statistics & Trigonometry
Classical & World Languages
Latin IV (CP or H)
French III (CP or H)
Spanish III (CP or H)
Theology & Philosophy
Embracing Big Questions for Human Flourishing
Electives
Art - Portfolio I (H)
Studio Renaissance Art
Handbells
Chorus
Modern Fitness
Theater Tech
Acting
List of 1 items.
-
12th Grade Course Map
English
Literature & Composition (AP)
Modern Literature (H)
Sample texts include: Purgatorio (Dante), Hamlet (Shakespeare)
History
US Government & Politics (AP)
Math
Calculus BC (AP)
Calculus AB (AP)
Statistics (SP, H or AP)
Science
Biology (AP)
Chemistry (AP)
Physics C: Mechanics (AP)
Anatomy & Physiology (CP or H)
Computer Science A (AP)
Computer Science Principles (AP)
Classical & World Languages
Latin (AP)
French Language & Culture (AP)
Spanish Language & Culture (AP)
Spanish IV (H)
Theology & Philosophy
Capstone: Big Questions for Human Flourishing Part II
Electives
Elements of Design: Science & Art
Studio Art (AP) - 2D Design
Handbells
Chorus
Modern Fitness
Theater Tech
Acting
Signature Academic Programs
-
Capstone
The Capstone is the culmination of the Montrose educational experience. Each senior chooses and researches a current social challenge, presenting her findings and realistic solutions in a 15-page research paper or 20-minute presentation and defending it before a panel of reviewers. -
Study Abroad
In the Footsteps of Dante is Montrose's unique study abroad program in Florence, Siena and Rome. Offered to juniors and seniors, it is an integrated seminar and tour led by a college professor. -
College Guidance
Our unique college guidance program offers a comprehensive curriculum starting in grade 9 that guides students as they grow in self-knowledge and make the transition to directing their college search. -
Math
All upper school students have the opportunity to take calculus - whether they have been in honors classes or not. Accelerated math allows for the study of advanced calculus senior year. -
Science
All classes in science for all four years of upper school are inquiry-based laboratories. -
Philosophy
Girls benefit from 2 years of study in philosophy - ethics, metaphysics and political philosophy. Works read range from Aristotle, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas to modern philosphers. -
Literature
Literature offers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the works of our greatest authors. Our comprehensive reading lists in the seminal works of literature and history include Sophocles, Dante, Dickens, Chekhov and seven years of Shakespeare.
1/7
The Senior Capstone
The Capstone is the culmination of the Montrose educational experience.
Capstone: Elizabeth Ling '18
In her Senior Capstone, Elizabeth Ling '18 discusses self-reflection, communication, and the role of technology in the development of empathy.
Capstone: Bella Rinaldi '19
Bella Rinaldi '19 tackles the question of the NFL's approach to concussion prevention and awareness in her Senior Capstone presentation.
Capstone: Nora Cahill '19
Nora Cahill '19 shares her research on gender disparity in the American justice system and her proposals for how to solve it in her Senior Capstone presentation.
An independent school for girls in grades 6-12 guided by the teachings of the Catholic Church.
