Upper School | Gr. 9-12 Shipley School

Arts

Creativity is alive in the arts at Shipley. We view art as a laboratory for exploration. We encourage students to reflect and discover how their art will express their skill and growth. Our faculty is committed to ensuring that each student finds his/her individual voice as they develop the fundamental skills in drama, music, and art.

At Shipley, our Upper School students are not only active learners—they are leaders as well. Our rigorous college-preparatory program challenges students to discover their passions and their potential, and to take their education to the next level. Students are challenged to understand how ideas overlap across academic disciplines, building interdisciplinary knowledge and gaining the confidence and self-awareness that will carry them through college and the future.

The Shipley Upper School

Curriculum

The Upper School curriculum offers a wide array of honors, and non-honors courses, and allows students to structure individualized programs of study based on their talents and interests. We are most proud of recent developments in our Interdisciplinary and STEAM programs. The creation of a Maker Space is one example of our commitment to dynamic and interdisciplinary learning. Visit the Upper School curriculum page to learn more.

It is our curriculum’s balance of support and rigor that sets students up for success as they apply to colleges. We challenge students to find the college that is the best match for them, whether that is an Ivy League university, a small liberal arts school, or a state school. We are proud of the wide range of schools our students choose.

Character Education: Deeply Rooted Learning

As students enter Upper School, they are defining their own paths more than ever as they begin to think about their futures and their roles as leaders in the school.

In addition to the Character Education which is integrated into every classroom, Upper School students participate in the Emotional Literacy program. Through a partnership with Yale, we have introduced this research-based, year-long class that is focused on students learning about themselves—who they are, what they believe in, and how this affects planning for their lives to come.

Beyond the Classroom: The Confidence to Explore

Our Upper School students are complex individuals with a wide variety of passionate interests, and our extracurricular offerings provide them with an outlet to explore these interests and develop leadership skills:

Athletics Program: 24 varsity teams plus JV and 3rd teams for all students interested
Clubs and Activities: includes Model UN, DECA, Current Events, Science Olympiad, Debate, Yearbook, Beacon (student newspaper), Mathletes, plus the opportunity for students to design their own clubs
Performing Arts Program

Theater: Fall one-act plays, winter musical, spring Shakespeare
Music: six vocal and instrumental ensembles with regular performances
Electives for private instruction: music, drama, public speaking

Summer Reading

Upper School Curriculum

Shipley_Upper_ Landing_1
Shipley_Upper_ Landing_2
Shipley_Upper_ Landing_3
Shipley_Upper_ Landing_4
Shipley_Upper_ Landing_5

1 / 5

Meet the Class of 2017

List of 9 news stories.

Meet Ryan Micolucci '17
12/15/2017
"Being the first transguy to come out during my time at Shipley was an interesting adventure. I did not expect such an amazing response from the whole grade and the school."
Read More
Meet Kate Aschkenasy '17
12/8/2017
Kate thinks the opportunity to attend Shipley was the best gift she could have received. She is grateful for Shipley's commitment to compassionate participation in the world and strong academic foundation to prepare her for college and beyond. "The growth that I have experienced over just my last four years of high school is incredible and exciting."
Read More
Meet Jack Doughery '17
11/17/2017

Shipley prepared Jack to understand that stepping out of your comfort zone is how you thrive, and to be compassionate and modest when accomplishing your goals.

Read More
Meet Grace Martin '17
11/10/2017
With hopes of working in business or politics in the Middle East, Grace says Shipley prepared her to observe the world with empathy and to seek and explore the nuances in the world, rather than accepting a simple answer.
Read More
Meet Sam Lazarus '17
11/3/2017
At Shipley, Sam was able to transfer his passion for bass into the math classroom, exploring all the possible permutations and combinations of notes that can go into a bass line.
Read More
Meet Rayna Mason '17
10/26/2017
Rayna Mason '17 plans to pursue a career in digital media and communications. She credits Shipley for teaching her effective and efficient communications skills and allowing her to embrace her uniqueness.
Read More
Meet Dylan Matthews '17
10/16/2017
Shipley inspired Dylan Matthews '17 every day to look deeper into current events and to make connections between the past and present. Shipley gave Dylan the space to find what he is passionate about and the resources to achieve his goals.
Read More
Meet Ellie Rampulla '17
9/29/2017
Ellie Rampulla '17 began her education at Shipley in Kindergarten, then returned after ten years. "When I returned to Shipley after attending five other schools, I was stunned and impressed by the deeply-rooted values that every single Shipley student has. It is the Shipley community’s foundation of kindness, hard work, and compassionate participation in the world that makes it a truly incredible place."
Read More
Meet Cesar Silva '17
9/18/2017
Cesar Silva '17 says Shipley prepared him for self-advocacy and to step up and be a leader in his community. "I learned that as a leader in any setting, an official title does not determine the impact one makes in their community, but rather the actions of a person determine the impact one makes on their community."
Read More