Grades 6–12
Learn to think critically
Form strong opinions
Articulate their opinions clearly and persuasively
Because Upper School students’ capacity for abstract thought is maturing, this is the perfect age to introduce formal debate and logical reasoning. Students begin to think critically about the facts they have learned and work toward applying knowledge, historical context, and the fine points of logic. Using the Socratic method to engage students, teachers encourage debate and critical thinking. Through regular opportunities for public speaking and debate, students learn to listen and communicate well, a combination that fosters wisdom, goodwill, and civility. To this end, we seek to help students grow to be comfortable in their own skin and extend that comfort to others. Within this learning environment, students discover their own specific passions, talents, and potential.
I have learned that being challenged and cared for are not mutually exclusive. From the start, I immediately felt the challenge of a rich and complex curriculum and the familial atmosphere of care at work here at Geneva School. I witnessed this same balance on the basketball court, as my fellow teammates demonstrated both a fierce competitive spirit and noteworthy sportsmanship." —Noah Trautmann ('27)
Mathematics
The goal of our Upper School mathematics program is to develop a deep understanding and appreciation for the world of mathematics. Students in Sixth Grade approach concepts using Singapore math with an emphasis on bar modeling. This gives students an opportunity to “feel” and see how large a quantity is as they compare it to another, tackling topics such as fractions, speed, volume, and angles. Students apply these modeling techniques with multiple steps of logical reasoning to arrive at their conclusions. Students study Algebra 1 in Seventh Grade and continue through Algebra II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Trigonometry, AP Calculus, and AP Statistics, paving the way for future mathematical pursuits in the college years.
Science
Geneva School presents the study of science as one of the critical building blocks in a student’s well-rounded liberal arts education in the classical tradition. We approach science by thinking first as philosophers who are consumed with the questions of what and why. Rather than fitting our curriculum into blocks of study, we regulate our curriculum by universal principles that we learn to ponder keenly, observe prudently, and apply masterfully.
In the logic phase, the emphasis is on teaching the proper use of the scientific method, training students to keep science notebooks for proper record keeping, with a focus on experimentation and deduction. Students use multiple sources, including primary sources of scientific findings. Research projects trace the development of particular ideas and technologies.
Rhetoric phase students take year-long courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and cap their studies with Science Seminar, equipping them for future pursuits in the science field.
Humanities
In Upper School humanities the themes of sojourn, identity, citizenship, and faith serve as the academic architecture for a rich, diverse body of interrelated subjects—literature, history, cinema, art, music, poetry and oratory.
Logic phase students revisit the historical periods (ancient, medieval, and modern) they studied in Lower School but with deeper content. A Lower School student will have memorized and acted out history in chronological order; Upper School students begin to access primary sources and gain the importance of historical facts and their relevance to current events. By the end of Eighth Grade, our students are equipped to articulate a thesis and defend it in both oral and written forms. In addition, our Upper School graduates will have studied the greatest authors of ancient and modern history from Homer, Hesiod, Aristotle, Plato, Dante, and Shakespeare. At Geneva School we place a special emphasis on our students’ ability to read great books for themselves and to evaluate, question, discuss, present, debate, and even teach based on their own ability and curiosity.
By articulating questions and seeking answers, spoken, acted, and written, Geneva School students graduate as those who are “prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks.. the reason for the hope that you have.. with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). They are prepared to become leaders in scholarship, virtue, and faith.
Language
Students transition from French to Latin in Fourth Grade and continue with Latin through Twelfth Grade. As students study Latin, they reinforce their knowledge of English grammar. Starting in Ninth Grade students read Roman prose: Cicero and Caesar. In Tenth Grade, students focus their attention on Vergil. In Eleventh and Twelfth Grades, students and teachers collaborate to select authors. Students begin Spanish in Ninth Grade and have the option to study ancient Greek, consisting of two years of Koine and two years of Classical Greek.
Bible
Upper School students continue with their study of the Bible, moving into a specific topic for each grade level. Sixth Grade students study the life of Christ with emphasis on the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophesy. Seventh Grade students study the early Church, and Eighth Grade focuses on apologetics and the study of Paul’s Epistles. Starting in Ninth Grade, students study theology and philosophy. They consider topics such as epistemology, ethics, and biblical theology. Students also wrestle with difficult issues, ask honest questions, and consider various points of view. Students will work through the writings of ancient and modern commentators, Eastern and Western thinkers, and Christian and non-Christians authors. The goal is to cultivate faith in a pluralistic world.
Music and Art
Upper School students continue with the Kodály music approach, which incorporates chorus and sight singing. Upper School music leans upon the sight-singing skills taught in grades below in order to build chamber ensembles that learn and perform a variety of musical literature ranging in genre from classical to contemporary. The music class incorporates the students' skills as singers as well as instrumentalists. In addition to ensemble music, students will work with the teacher on solo repertoire. Performances include concerts and events as well as outreach concerts and competitions. Upper School chamber groups also help in leading worship during weekly Assembly.
In art, students build upon the principles and skills they learned in Lower School art classes and further develop classical fine art techniques in multiple mediums. They cultivate deeper knowledge of art history, grow in art appreciation, and discuss the role and impact of art upon society throughout history. As in Lower School, our teachers facilitate out-of-classroom learning, taking advantage of the incredible cultural treasures found in our art-rich city. Older Upper School art students gain greater individual expression and independence in seeking out opportunities afforded them by being located in New York City.
Physical Education
Upper School students engage in formal physical education classes where they consider holistic elements of physical fitness and nutrition, in addition to the rigors of calisthenics and team sports. Team sports begin at the Upper School level, with soccer and basketball teams who compete with similar schools. Our basketball teams use the next-door Stephen Gaynor gymnasium as their home court, and its proximity allows for school-wide spectators. The discipline of team sports, whether within Upper School teams, P.E. class, or after-school programs, allows plenty of opportunities for students to cultivate conduct in keeping with good sportsmanship—honesty, compassion, leadership, friendship, cooperation, respect, and hard work.
Life Skills
We want our graduates to excel in every way, including important life skills that often get overlooked amid the rigors of high school. To that end, our Upper School curriculum incorporates both soft skills and other life competencies, such as financial literacy, health, nutrition, resume writing, interviewing, media literacy, social media protocols, and social etiquette.
In the classical academic model, we often say that the teacher is the curriculum. Our Upper School faculty, most of whom hold advanced degrees, are committed to spiritual and professional growth. They model life-long learning and attend conferences to enhance their skills as educators. The faculty seeks to set an example of faith, character, and learning agility. They love engaging the hearts and minds of their students and encouraging them as image-bearers of God. This creates an infectious environment of learning and rich relationships between students and their teachers.