Upper School Curriculum

List of 5 items.

• Honors Program

  In addition to numerous AP courses, Brimmer has an Honors Program that offers additional academic challenge and enrichment to students who qualify. Students enrolled in the program receive an honors designation for a particular course by completing both independent projects and additional material beyond the requirements of the class.

• Scholar Society

  High standards for scholarship, as well as meaningful community involvement, are among the criteria of the Scholar Society. Students who maintain a required grade point average (GPA), make a commitment to giving back to the community, and model the precepts of the Code of Ethics may be accepted by application into the Society.

• Advisory Program

  Upper School students select a Brimmer Staff member to serve as their advisor. The two meet on a regular basis to discuss the student’s academic progress and individual concerns. Advisors oversee the educational performance of their advisees throughout the school year and meet with parents on report card conference days to review progress and grades. The advisor is the parents’ primary contact at the school. 
  
  In addition, the Upper School Support Team oversees the academic, social, and emotional progress of each student. This team is comprised of the Associate Head, Upper School Head, School Psychologist, Director of Academic Services, the Dean of Students, and the School’s nurse.
  

• Grade 12 Thesis

  In the late winter and early spring, students in Grade 12 research an author’s writing in their AP® English and electives classes. Forming their own theses based on individual research, students write papers in which they present evidence from both primary and secondary sources. During a 20-minute presentation period, a panel of faculty and students will assess each thesis defense according to a pre-established rubric. In this time, students explain their theses, support their arguments with research-based evidence, and leave time for questions from the panel. Students are graded in their respective courses for both their oral and written work.

• Grade 12 Project

  During the final month of school, students in Grade 12 participate in an internship program that gives them the opportunity to explore occupational fields of interest. Working off-campus for 24-30 hours a week under the direction of an on-site supervisor, students also meet regularly with their faculty advisors and are also monitored by the 12th Grade Project Director. All students are required to share their work experiences at a special exhibition at the end of the project period.