Upper School Program of Studies 2019-2020

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Marry

Upper School Program of Studies 2019-2020 outlines course selection and scheduling guidance for students and parents, with definitions of key academic terms such as Advanced Placement (AP), credits, elective and required courses, GPA weighting, honors courses, prerequisites, and semester structure. The booklet describes how course requests work, what constitutes scheduling conflicts, and how credits are earned based on meeting patterns. It also frames the Upper School academic program through liberal arts study and the school’s focus on Mind, Body, and Spirit.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages67

Reading Time2 h 49 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

Introduction

Diploma Requirements

Daily Schedule

Scheduling/Course Changes

Moving from AP/Honors

AP Course Registration Deadline

Grading Policy

Grade Calculation

AP Program

III Form Workshop

May Term

Global Online Academy

Comprehensive Exams

Independent Study

Awards

Study Abroad

College Counseling

Library

Visual Art

Music

Theatre and Dance

Classical Languages

Computer Science

English

History

Mathematics

Modern Languages

Religion

Science

III Form Seminar and Leadership

Community Service

Athletics

Homework Policy

Upper School Program of Studies 2019-2020 • Preface 3 • Introduction 4 o Diploma Requirements 5 o Daily Schedule 6 o Scheduling/Course Changes 6 o Moving from AP/Honors 7 o AP Course Registration Deadline 8 o Grading Policy 8 o Grade Calculation 8 o AP Program 9 o III Form Workshop 10 o May Term 10 o Global Online Academy 10 o Comprehensive Exams 11 o Independent Study 11 o Awards 11 o Study Abroad 12 o College Counseling 12 o Library 13 • Visual Art 14 • Music 18 • Theatre and Dance 21 • Classical Languages 24 • Computer Science 27 • English 29 • History 32 • Mathematics 40 • Modern Languages 46 • Religion 52 • Science 55 • III Form Seminar and Leadership 62 • Community Service 62 • Athletics 63 • Homework Policy 66 PREFACE Some of the words and terms used in this booklet or in the course selection and scheduling process may not be familiar to all students and parents. The following explanations may be helpful. Advanced Placement (AP) Courses Advanced Placement, or AP, refers to college-level courses taught according to syllabi approved by The College Board Advanced Placement Program and/or to courses designed to prepare students for College Board AP Tests. Success in AP courses can be an important factor in college admission. Successful performance on AP tests (a score of 3, 4, or 5 on a five-point scale) may lead to college credit and/or advanced standing in college. For further information on policies for granting AP credit, please consult specific colleges and universities. AP courses receive additional weight in the Grade Point Average (GPA) . Conflict A scheduling conflict occurs when two or more selected courses are offered at, or can only be scheduled at, the same time. Course Request During the scheduling process, students request particular courses. They do not enroll in these courses until the courses are assigned to the actual schedule; they are simply requests. On occasion, a course request cannot be fulfilled because there is a conflict with another course request or because the course has been cancelled, usually due to staff availability or low enrollment. Credits One credit is earned upon successful completion (passing grade) of a course that meets everyday assigned in the rotation for a full academic year. A half-credit is earned upon successful completion (passing grade) of a course that meets every assigned day in the rotation for a semester or a course that meets only on select days during the rotation over the course of full year. Elective Courses Individual elective courses are, by definition, not required. However, students ultimately choose to take some electives in order to satisfy graduation requirements. Extracurricular Activities Extracurricular refers to student clubs and activities that meet outside of the regular school day and which are not part of specific courses within the traditional school curriculum. Full Course Load Episcopal expects students to pursue six courses during each semester in Upper School. A student may enroll in a maximum of seven courses. A junior or senior enrolled in three or more honors or Advanced Placement courses may choose a reduced load of five courses, with permission of his advisor and Form Dean, in consultation with the Head of Upper School. Grade Point Average (GPA) A student’s Grade Point Average is computed on a weighted scale. The weighted GPA is reported on the student’s transcript. GPA is computed annually for all students. Honors and AP courses are given greater weight in the GPA calculation. Honors Courses Honors courses are those which are taught at a high school level but which, like AP courses, provide the greatest challenge and the best preparation for admission to, and success at, highly selective colleges. Honors level courses receive additional weight when the Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated. Interscholastic Interscholastic refers

FAQs

What does Advanced Placement (AP) mean in this program?

Advanced Placement courses are college-level classes taught according to approved syllabi and/or designed to prepare students for College Board AP Tests. Strong AP performance can support college admission and may lead to college credit or advanced standing.

How is GPA calculated and how do AP and honors courses affect it?

GPA is computed on a weighted scale and reported on the student’s transcript. Honors and AP courses receive greater weight during GPA calculation.

What determines whether a course request can be fulfilled?

Course requests are not enrollment until assignments occur. A request may be unfulfilled due to scheduling conflicts with other requested courses or if the course is canceled, often because of staff availability or low enrollment.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Marry