Upper School

Step Into Your Power

Upper School is the time to take charge of your education and your goals. It’s your time—to seize all the opportunities NCS provides to define and follow your own path to success.

In our Upper School, you delve deeply into complex questions, conducting college-level research and making significant discoveries. You lead and serve your communities effectively and ethically. You rise to the highest intellectual and personal challenges, persist through setbacks, lift up your classmates, and celebrate every accomplishment along the way. 

You graduate equipped with an exceptional range of skills, experiences, and inner strengths that give you real advantages in college, career, and life beyond. 

You step into your power—ready and excited for all the possibilities that await you.

Portrait of a Graduate 

Every NCS graduate is one-of-a-kind. But they all have something essential in common: a distinctive skillset that prepares them to lead, learn, grow, and make a difference wherever they choose to go.

NCS GRADUATES ARE… Confident individuals Empathetic leaders Change makers Problem solvers Resilient learners

OUR GRADUATES…

Know and accept themselves for who they are physically, cognitively, emotionally, socially and spiritually, and they use that knowledge to care for themselves and build meaningful, healthy relationships.

Listen, connect, and communicate thoughtfully and adeptly across cultural boundaries as passionate advocates for themselves and others as conscious citizens of their local, national, and global communities.

Seek opportunities to use their skills as leaders to create positive change, promote justice, and cultivate equity in their communities as advocates and allies.

Apply their foundation to analyze and interpret material and to express themselves in preparation to engage uniquely, ethically, and meaningfully with a world that requires flexibility.

Understand that the trajectory of success is rarely a straight line, so they adopt a growth mindset and coping skills that will help them navigate similar challenges they may face in the future.

How will you step into your power at NCS?

The Upper School Journey 

Grade 9

The Ninth Grade experience centers on your transition to high school, balancing greater challenge with layers of support to build your confidence, curiosity, and ambition. Because every student learns differently, our teachers provide extensive individual attention—so you become an expert in how you learn best. Ninth Grade classes focus on revision as a central part of learning, as iteration deepens your understanding of the subject and of your own learning process. You arrange to meet with your teachers in office hours to clarify questions, explore ideas, and strengthen your relationships with faculty members—developing the self-advocacy skills you’ll need in Upper School and in college.

Grade 10

In Tenth Grade, you will take an array of courses in all subjects, while beginning to focus on your particular academic interests. Throughout the year, you delve deeply into our core value of service, working with and learning from local DC communities. You also develop advanced leadership, communication, and collaboration skills through Harkness discussions in English, frequent group work, and increasingly independent and student-led work in all classes. Through our Coordinate Program, you lead and serve as an active citizen of our city—and discover the leader and change maker within you.

Grade 11

Eleventh Grade is the year to focus further on your academic specialties and to step into independent leadership roles. You exercise greater intellectual freedom by choosing advanced studies courses and by researching specific topics that interest you. The college guidance process begins in earnest, as you work with our professional counselors to define your goals and find the top schools that fit you best. Alongside core courses like US History and Foundations of American Literature, you can choose from courses like Advanced Physics, French Literature, and an array of other electives, curating your own rigorous curriculum. You’ll further refine your writing, analytical, and oral presentation skills, leading discussions in English and in other classes. Now is also the time to start thinking about fellowships and other independent study opportunities to complete next year. You embark on your Senior year as a self-directed scholar and proactive community leader—justly proud of all your accomplishments and fully prepared for what comes next.

Grade 12

The culmination of the NCS academic experience, Twelfth Grade focuses on advanced courses and experiences that prepare you not only for college, but to engage in a complex world. As a Senior, you’ll have the highest level of academic autonomy, building your own program of college-level seminars with the opportunity to engage in independent study projects, and you’ll take on multiple leadership roles at NCS and beyond. You regularly lead class discussions, sharpening your ability to articulate complex arguments and synthesize disparate ideas. You exemplify ethical behavior and intellectual curiosity to younger students, actively serving as a mentor and a role model. In all your endeavors, you take an increasingly outward view, actively engaging with global issues and ethical challenges as you cultivate and act upon your own conscience. You graduate fully prepared to thrive as a scholar, innovator, and citizen—and to change the world as only you can.

Explore Upper School Curriculum

Upper School Signature Experiences

On and far beyond the NCS campus, you extend yourself beyond previous limits, celebrate how much you’ve accomplished, and prepare for all the possibilities your future holds.

The College Guidance Process

Our tailored college guidance program is a four-year process of learning, not only about your many college options, but about yourself. In Ninth and Tenth Grade, counseling is part of Advisory, where you learn about upcoming steps and build relationships with our professional counselors. In Eleventh Grade, you begin meeting individually with counselors to clarify your goals, select and apply to the top schools that meet those goals, and finally enroll in the one that fits you best.  Learn more

Stepping Into Leadership

We believe the NCS education should benefit our wider communities, not just ourselves. We also know there are many different ways to be a leader. The Center for Ethical Leadership & Service (CELS) provides extensive training and hands-on experience in effective, values-driven action, so the unique leader within you can step forth.  Learn more

Coordinate Program with St. Albans

If you seek coed learning experiences during your NCS journey, the Upper School offers plenty of options, including many English classes, art, music, and theater classes, and some sports.  Learn more

“When I look back at how NCS has shaped me academically, I am most proud of the critical thinking and analytical skills I’ve developed here. At NCS, we’re taught to lead discussions independently, without relying on our teachers to guide every step. Whether it’s analyzing literature in English class or debating the meaning of events in history, we’re encouraged to think deeply, ask questions, and challenge each other’s ideas. This experience has also given me the confidence to trust my own voice and perspective.” -Upper School student