Academics

Inspiring Lifelong Learners

St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School is committed to providing students the fundamentals necessary for lifelong success. Students are taught to take increasing responsibility for their own learning and to meet academic challenges via multidisciplinary and hands-on teaching styles. Class size ranges from 8 to 18, and the student-faculty ratio is 7:1.

St. Andrews ’s-Sewanee School helps students gain a level of self-reliance that allows them the confidence to care for others and their environment. SAS prepares students for the demands of college and life through a rigorous academic program that focuses on critical thinking and advanced writing. Realizing the value of a core curriculum, SAS emphasizes English, history, mathematics, science, foreign language, and the arts. Classes are focused on active learning with teachers facilitating as students seek answers to complex questions. Our block scheduling means that classes are long enough for meaningful learning. In 90 minutes, students can trek into the woods to monitor pond life, perform a play or have a full debate.

Basic requirements for graduation include four years of English, three years of mathematics, three years of history, two years of a single foreign language at the high school level, physical science, biology, one year of the arts, Introduction to Religion (a highly academic course focusing on student research), and Life Issues (ninth grade). Traditionally, students go well beyond fulfilling minimum requirements and partake in electives, including Environmental Science, Geology, History of Western Philosophy, A History of America’s Civil Rights Movement, Theater, and a multitude of independent advanced-study opportunities.

Science at SAS is lab and field based allowing students to experience science rather than merely study its theories. In the arts, students have opportunities to take advanced courses in all disciplines. Art, music, and theater may be taken for academic credit.