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A Coeducational, College Preparatory School for Ages 3 Through Grade 12

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Upper School

Henry Heil
Head of Upper School

Our role as educators is to know, challenge, and love our students - in return, we can fairly ask them to work hard, build their character, and take care of each other.

- Henry Heil, Head of Upper School

The academic program of the upper school represents a four-year college preparatory curriculum that provides broad training in the liberal arts and sciences and stresses independent thinking, writing, critical reading, discipline, and creativity.

We promote understanding through classroom experiences and real-world applications that involve students in the in-depth discovery and development of their talents, skills, and acquired knowledge. Each student is also assigned a faculty advisor through our advisory program, a cornerstone of an ESD education, who provides guidance, counseling, and support.
 

View the Upper School
Course Catalog
For specific guidance in course selection, please view the document above.

32 AP Courses offered for upper school students
500 plus leadership opportunities for ESD students
82 Rising Senior Internships Made Possible By WORX
100% of Students, Faculty, and Staff Sign the Code of Conduct

Beyond the Classroom

Experiences You Don't Want To Miss

Two students perform in the musical %22How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying%22
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The Upper School Performing Arts program typically produces three to four live performances each school year, giving students the opportunity to audition for plays and musicals like spring 2020's How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (pictured) and fall 2020's Clue.

No desire for the center stage spotlight? No problem! No performance would be successful without the hard work of our Technical Theatre crew,  who do everything from build sets to manage the sound and lighting of each show.

Learn more about ESD's Arts programs here.

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What if students could modify rocket fins for their physics project or utilize a laser cutter to aid in their in-depth independent study on microfluids or create a feature for their newest sculpture project using CAD?

They can in ESD's Fab Lab, the campus location for a variety of robotics and engineering classes. Top engineering students in upper school can go on to receive industrial certifications in the field.

Learn more about this impressive space and other campus locations here. 

Chemistry students conduct an experiment with the electricity in different gases.
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In science courses, students lead inquiry-based laboratory investigations that complement their classroom discussions. Self-led experiments allow students exciting hands-on experience in the labs.

This chemistry class was looking at different gases when they have electricity pumped through them with spectroscopes. Electricity causes spectroscopes break apart the overall color (the red in this picture) into the various emission spectra emitted by the atom based upon its elemental identity.

Learn more about ESD's academic curriculum here.

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At the beginning of each school year, students from the senior class are paired up with fifth graders for different events throughout the school year.

This fun tradition is a long-standing one at ESD that students look forward to every year and encourages upper and middle school engagement. The buddies participate in community service, themed days like Twin Day where they dress up in pair costumes, and more.

Learn more about ESD's student life and traditions here.

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As part of their comprehensive study of French language, culture, and history, each year students are given the opportunity for a hands-on culinary experience that enhances what they're learning in the classroom.

Donning hair nets, French students gather in the Dining Commons kitchen to learn how to cook up classic French treats like crepes and soufflés under the tutelage of our talented SAGE chefs.

Learn more about ESD's variety of language courses here.

News and Notes From the Upper School