The Upper School curriculum is focused on active learning in an atmosphere of respect for knowledge and emphasis on guided inquiry. In all disciplines, students are encouraged to learn content in the context of big picture trends, theories, and criticisms. Students and teachers work as partners in the educational process. With considerable flexibility in the schedules of most juniors and seniors, elective options encourage them to choose classes that reflect their individual interests rather than requirements.
College Courses
Outstanding juniors and seniors are encouraged to take college courses for credit (at no extra cost) at Sewanee: 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. In recent years, 50% of the senior class has graduated with college credit.
English 11/12 Options
In the junior and senior years, students choose from a variety of English course options, such as American Literature, Ancient & Medieval Literature & Philosophy, Environmental Literature, British Literature, and Gothic Literature.
Electives
Elective courses vary from year-to-year depending on student interest and faculty interest and expertise. Elective courses are listed under the departments in which they are taught.
Grade-Level Programming
In addition to regular courses, each grade level participates in two retreat days a year to enhance friendships, provide out of class experiences, and build class cohesion. The themes and activities are a reflection both of the students' shared course work that year and of expanding rings of self-understanding as they discover their place in the world.
Academic Schedule
Academic Support
Students whose grades require it must attend work periods in the Learning Resources Center during the day. Residential students observe evening study hours and may also be assigned to school-day supervised study hall. Students often meet with teachers by appointment or at the teacher's request during work periods during the day, or during evenings or weekends.
Academic Honors
Students who earn an average of 93 or above with no grade below 83 are named to the High Honors List for academic achievement. Students with average ranges between 83 and 92 and who have received no grade below 80 are named to the Honors List. Satisfactory completion of afternoon programs is required for students to be eligible for the Honor Roll. Grades are averaged to determine the Honor Roll.
Grading System
The grading system at St. Andrewʼs-Sewanee consists of numeric grades ranging from 100 to 0. In addition to numeric grades, teachers write narrative comments to parents/guardians four times per year addressing student’s progress, ability, effort, and attitude.
The scale range is as follows:
- 97-100 = A+ = 4.33
- 93-96 = A = 4.00
- 90-92 = A- = 3.67
- 87-89 = B+ = 3.33
- 83-86 = B = 3.00
- 80-82 = B- = 2.67
- 77-79 = C+ = 2.33
- 73-76 = C = 2.00
- 70-72 = C- = 1.67
- 67-69 = D+ = 1.33
- 63-66 = D = 1.00
- 60-62 = D- = 0.67
- 59 and below = F = 0
Our Stance on Advanced Placement and Honors Courses
The SAS educational philosophy values interactive learning, depth over breadth, and cooperative work in an environment of diversity. For those reasons, while we offer advanced courses in many subjects, we do not offer AP or honors courses. Students desiring additional challenge or the opportunity to earn college credit are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to take courses at the University of the South.
Upper School Departments
St. Andrew's-Sewanee has long enjoyed a strong reputation for its arts programs. All upper school students must complete an arts course for graduation. Classes are demanding in scope and expectation. In addition to scheduled courses, students are able to pursue instrumental, vocal, and dance studies through private lessons. Students also may audition for the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra, the Sewanee Jazz Ensemble, and Perpetual Motion dance productions at the University.
English
Writing and critical reading are essential elements of the English curriculum. In the junior and senior years, students choose from courses that emphasize college-level analysis and writing. Students who are not native English speakers take regular English classes along with any necessary ELL courses.
History
Students are required to complete Historical Studies, Global Studies, and U.S. History or Place-Based American Studies before graduation. Classes make extensive use of original documents. Regular analytical writing assignments include document-based essays. In History 10, students learn how to draw a map of the world and participate in simulation-based learning. U.S. History students complete a major research paper in the second semester. One-semester electives available to juniors and seniors involve a significant number of analytical papers and other writing assignments and use original documents, anthologies, and film in exploring the course topics.
Religious Studies
Prior to graduating, seniors explore religion as a phenomenon common to humanity and develop tools for the study of any religious tradition. They learn language and method for theological thinking with particular emphasis on the religions birthed of the Abrahamic tradition. Through seminars, essay writing, and research projects, students reflect on the theoretical material presented. At the conclusion of the course, each student articulates a personal creedal statement in light of a full year's experience examining the phenomenon of religion.
Interdisciplinary Study curriculum provides students the opportunity to explore topics of interest across disciplines, broadening one's understanding of the connections between the humanities, sciences, and arts. Emphasis is placed on research methods, writing, and presentation.
Two years of study in the same language (Latin or Spanish) at the upper school level are required for graduation. The Spanish is conversation based and conducted in Spanish beginning with the first year classes. Latin is taught as a flipped classroom that allows students to learn at their own pace using principles of differentiated instruction.
All students must successfully complete Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II to meet graduation requirements. The majority of students will complete four or five years of mathematics prior to graduation. Courses beyond Algebra II include Algebra III; Statistics and Probability; Precalculus, Trigonometry; Precalculus, Math Analysis; Data Science; Advanced Statistics; and Calculus.
Students are required to take Health and Fitness in the ninth grade. The class meets twice a week for 90 minutes. The first half of the class takes place in the classroom, where students discuss various health topics. During the second half of the class, students are active in the gym, weight room, track, or on our campus trails. The goal of the class is to instill in students lifelong healthy habits of exercise, diet, and decision making.
All students must successfully complete Conceptual Physics, Chemistry, and Biology to meet graduation requirements. All science courses are laboratory based and emphasize observational and laboratory skills over rote memorization. Elective courses include Advanced Physics, Advanced Chemistry, Advanced Biology, and semester electives in Field Geology, Coding, and Astronomy. Science classes are built around laboratory and field experiences that are easily integrated with instruction in the longer class periods.