Academics

Upper School

Destination: Bold Outcomes

Our most mature students, building on their passion for learning developed in younger years, are developmentally ready to take on intensive critical thinking, analysis and preparation for the country's most selective secondary schools. Upper Schoolers practice leadership and collaboration. Individually and collectively, they respond to important challenges around issues of integrity, character and responsibility.
 
Grades seven through nine also provide the opportunity for students to acquire the habits of mind, creativity, perseverance and independent thought, which foster lifelong learners. Our Upper School students not only seize opportunities, they create them. 
 
As a result Upper School students experience the interconnectedness of school: How working collaboratively with teachers develops individual autonomy, how working closely with peers encourages independent thinking, and how fostering intrinsic motivation helps with external assessments, including the SSAT or ISEE. 

Learn more about our Grade 9 program
 

Our Upper School Students

In the Upper School, students develop sophisticated critical thinking and computational skills across a wide range of subjects and disciplines. Their homework load increases in quantity and complexity as they to manage their time independently and plan for multifaceted research, writing and design projects. 
 
Our subject-specific curricular objectives in the Upper School include:  
 
  • Language Arts: Gaining a broad exposure to classic and contemporary literature through analysis and discussion; Writing in many genres in order to develop voice, master critical thinking skills and learn accuracy of mechanics and expression.
  • Mathematics: Learning the fundamentals of problem-solving, abstract expressions and the complete foundational topics of algebra and geometry.
  • Science: Studying environmental, life and physical science, as well as biology, including honors biology.
  • History/Social Studies: Learning American History, World Cultures and World History, and hone their research and evidence-based writing skills. 
  • World Language: Working toward fluency in Spanish or begin the study of French or Latin through ninth grade.
  • The Arts: Choosing among 30 arts electives that focus on skill, craftsmanship and the aesthetic process.

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of Kirsten Rosolen

    Kirsten Rosolen 

    Head of Middle and Upper School
  • Photo of Lauren Romeo

    Lauren Romeo 

    Assistant Head of Upper School & Co-Director of Secondary School Counseling

Tweets from Upper School

Upper School News

New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.