Curriculum
Graduation Requirements
To receive their high school diploma, Upper School students are expected to have a minimum of 19.5 credits, including:
English: 4 credits
Math: 3 credits, beginning with Algebra I (4 credits are strongly recommended)
Science: 3 credits (Conceptual Physics, Chemistry, and Biology)
History: 3 credits, including U.S. History
Language: 2 consecutive credits in the same language (in grades 9-12)
Arts: 1 credit
Religion: 1 credit (Introduction to Religion)
Wellness: .5 credit (Health and Fitness)
Electives: 2 credits
Total required for graduation: 19.5 credits and 15 Hours of Community Service/Year Enrolled
We don't stop there
Traditionally, students go well beyond fulfilling minimum requirements and partake in electives, including Environmental History, Political Action, Environmental Studies, Field Geology, a variety of visual and performing arts courses, advanced science courses, and a multitude of independent advanced-study opportunities.
Standard Upper School Course of Study
| 9th Grade | 10th Grade | 11th Grade | 12th Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| English 9 | English 10 | English (2) | English (2) |
| History 9 | History 10 | U.S. History | Religion |
| Math | Math | Math | 3rd Class |
| Conceptual Physics | Chemistry | Biology | 4th Class |
| Foreign Language | Foreign Language | 5th class | 5th class |
| Health and Fitness/Arts | Arts | 6th class, encouraged | 6th class, optional |
| 3 afternoon programs | 3 afternoon programs | 2 afternoon programs | 1 afternoon program |
| 15 hours community service | 15 hours community service | 15 hours community service | 15 hours community service |
Advanced Courses
SAS offers advanced courses in physics, chemistry, and biology as well as allowing juniors and seniors to choose from an array of English courses and history electives.
College Courses
Outstanding juniors and seniors are encouraged to take college courses for credit (and for free) at the University of the South, one of the country's top liberal arts colleges. SAS students learn to hold their own and excel in a college setting with college-aged classmates. Students learn to balance a college course workload and to communicate with college professors before getting to college. Approximately twenty percent of the senior class will graduate with college credit.