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Upper School

Upper School Hero4
Upper School Hero

CA’s Upper School program prepares students for lifelong intellectual engagement and success as global citizens.

It features an innovative and dynamic liberal arts and sciences curriculum full of stimulating electives, boundless opportunities,  and interdisciplinary courses.

The student-teacher relationship is at the heart of all our academic endeavors; our students thrive in an intellectually inspiring, warm culture shaped by educators who understand that authentic learning happens when students feel connected to the adults who teach them.

Walk our hallways, cross our courtyards, peek into our labs and lounges: you’ll find CA students catching up with their teachers, conversations that flow from one space to the next, and a supportive environment where kindness and curiosity intersect.

Small classes and an exceptional Upper School faculty—80 percent of whom hold master’s and/or doctoral degrees—produce a learning environment that values intellectual curiosity, originality, academic freedom, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. We place a premium on the development of skills that prepare our students for an ever-changing world—and we are intentional about fostering integrity and responsibility in students.

The Upper School Experience at CA

Advanced Studies and Research (ASR)

CA’s own Advanced Studies and Research courses are college-level electives that allow students to go deeper into their interests and passions. Learn more

Innovation Lab

CA’s Upper School Anderson Innovation Lab provides engineering & design students an environment to create, with access to cutting-edge tools and experts who mentor them in technologies and industry approaches.

Upper School Cryptography

 

Computer Science

CA has a dedicated Computer Science Department with an array of courses that engage students in hands-on problem-solving and Design Thinking.

The Arts

Theater and dance productions, art shows, and music recitals inspire students to discover and develop their artistic vision. Learn more

REDI Lab

Balancing tradition with innovation, Upper School course offerings are enriched by the REDI Lab program for Juniors and Seniors. Learn more

Athletics

Championship-winning teams, a Strength & Conditioning Center, and many more athletic options mean every athlete has a place at CA. Learn more

 

Experiential Learning

Experiential education offers students greater insight into themselves and others, as they venture into the outdoors, engage in service projects, and travel around the country and the world. Learn more

College Matriculation

CA guides 100% of graduates to four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad. Learn more

Intentional Design

Future Focus

Max Delgado

Upper School Principal

Upper School Curriculum

Here in the Upper School, we offer a diverse range of courses, with a curriculum designed to help students put purpose at the center.

Four Stages: From Foundations to Depth

At CA, academic excellence is not defined by the volume of work a student can manage but by the depth of their exploration and ability to apply knowledge in novel ways.

We value:

Essential Skills and Habits

By exposing students to the content and habits of mind needed to engage the broader world of ideas, we spark new passions that will define our students’ pursuits in college and beyond.

Learning That Goes Beyond Memorization

By offering students methods to demonstrate their learning in ways that reach beyond traditional assessments and memorization, they gain the confidence to face an increasingly complex and changing world.

Faculty Expertise

By utilizing the specialized academic training of our faculty who shape new courses and extend our foundational curriculum, students learn from teachers who know their discipline, love inspiring adolescents, and craft their courses in ways that foster deep exploration and inquiry.

Igniting and Pursuing Passions

By allowing students multiple paths to differentiate themselves as they pursue their academic interests, they take more agency in their learning. We take pride in knowing our students and helping them shape their best journey through our robust elective offerings, Advanced Placement, and Advanced Studies and Research (ASR) classes.

Upper School News