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

Meet the Class of 2017

The Shipley School is a private, coeducational day school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, located in Bryn Mawr, PA. Through our commitment to educational excellence, we develop within each student a love of learning and a desire for compassionate participation in the world.