Upper School

List of 9 items.

• Classical Languages

  An education grounded in the classics

  The Classics Department adheres to the philosophy that knowledge and appreciation of ancient Roman and Greek culture, literature, history, and language are essential to an individual's education and understanding of the world today.

• Computer Sciences

  Computer science classes are hands-on and relevant
  The Computer Science Department offers students a wide range of computer science classes. Students learn architectural modeling using a powerful industry-strength 3D architectural CAD program; create games while learning about basic concepts including graphics, audio formats, storage, design, and development as well as logical programming and object-oriented programming; explore the role of technology in a global society as well as what it takes to be information, media, and computer literate locally and globally in the 21st century; and examine the basic and advanced building blocks of computer programming. Students also have the opportunity to engage in the state-of-the-art blended learning approach in some of the classes.

• English

  English at Highland humanizes and connects
  The teaching of English at Highland is shaped by a conviction in the humanizing power of literature and its ability to connect us to a world beyond ourselves. The English program teaches students to express themselves clearly, effectively, and correctly with the goals of gaining self-knowledge and participating as an informed, articulate community member. We believe students respond best to teachers who demonstrate passion for their subject both in and out of the classroom; who encourage involvement in speech and poetry contests, literary publications, and dramatic performances; and who model this involvement themselves. In its courses, the department seeks to develop students' critical reading and writing skills, to increase their understanding of diverse literary heritage, and to stimulate their imaginative and critical abilities.

• Experiential and Service Learning

  Learning beyond the classroom
  Highland's Department of Experiential and Service Learning embraces the belief that traditional classroom learning must function in partnership with innovative methodologies designed to nurture the entire student. Through experiential education programs, including field studies, service learning, internships, and senior projects, Highland strives to enhance learning, promote character and leadership development, and build connections within and beyond the school community.

  
  Our goal is to provide students with opportunities to:

  • Develop self-awareness and personal growth.
  • Create healthy, productive relationships with peers and adults in and outside of Highland.
  • Participate in meaningful experiences outside of the classroom that challenge and broaden their perspectives of their school, local, national, and global communities.
  • Study in non-traditional learning environments.
  • Apply classroom learning to life beyond Highland.

• Fine and Performing Arts

  The arts are one of the pillars of a Highland education 
  At Highland, the Fine and Performing Arts are where our students get the opportunity to shine, either in the “Fine” arts or in the “Performing” arts. Sometimes the boundaries blur, and both of the arts blend together, as when one of the Performing Arts requires extensive use of the Fine Arts. Our department makes it easy for our students to participate in both.
  
  

  Opportunities abound in Ceramics, Sculpture, Painting, Drawing, Acting, and Singing, learning new instruments, and perfecting abilities on familiar instruments. There are many levels of learning in the arts, from beginning studies to advanced studies in all facets of the Arts. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered in Art and in Music. Highland offers three levels of guitar studies, regular and advanced Jazz Ensembles, String studies, the Hawkappellas (an a cappella chorus), and opportunities for individual performances.

  
  There are many levels of Ceramics and Design, Painting and Drawing, and students are encouraged to explore and perfect their talents, with exhibitions both in the Highland Gallery and in art shows throughout the region.

  
  Two acting opportunities are offered each year with a full-length play in the fall and a full musical in the spring, accompanied by members of the Piedmont Symphony and students in the orchestra. In addition, there is a Winter and a Spring Concert, which includes performances by all of the students involved in the many areas of music studies.

  
  The faculty is not only experienced, but many are active as artists and musicians outside of the classroom.

• History

  History is more than a list of facts
  In the History Department, we don’t lose the forest for the trees. Yes, names and dates and events are important, but what is beyond important into amazing is how our classes guide students into weaving a tapestry out of those names and dates and events. We interpret, we analyze, we synthesize, we question, we challenge. Highland’s History Department is committed to teaching historical thinking skills to foster independent thinkers and metacognitive learners.

  
  History is interactive
  Students get involved with History at Highland. Whether it’s the Freshmen European history students role-playing key philosophes, the Sophomore class putting Rwandan general Bizimungu on trial for crimes against humanity, or the AP United States History class traveling to Morven Park to role play the progressive period, teachers in the History department actively seek ways for the students to experience history beyond the text book. We, in the History Department, also recognize the value of collaboration with other disciplines. During their freshman year, students participate in a J-term project that represents work completed in History class as well as Science and English.

  
  Highland embraces intellectual curiosity
  Socrates once said, “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” The History Department meets the needs of intellectual curiosities within the students by offering a variety of classes and independent studies opportunities. The non-western world history curriculum (starting in the 2016-17 school year) will offer theme-based semester courses which are designed to give students more academic freedom to pursue topics that peak their interests such as “Tribalism v. Nationalism” a course detailing the internal struggles in the Middle East and Africa. Additionally, students who have interest in topics beyond the curriculum are encouraged to pursue them, and through the independent studies program, they have an outlet. Teachers make themselves available as mentors to students who want to pursue independent study topics. Past studies include: the history of criminology, the history of the intersection of Judaism and Broadway shows, collections of 16th century Italian Renaissance art in North America, models of leadership, and many more.
  
  

  Our staff is committed to lifelong learning
  Throughout the years, teachers in the History Department have embraced professional development to enhance their students’ experiences. We’ve had staff members selected for summer courses in the National Endowment for the Humanities program, formal training for the Harkness discussion method, participation in the google summit to learn how to mesh 21st Century technology with proven teaching methods, certifications in effective differentiation methods from The Hill Center in North Carolina, and an AP reader to name a few. Each year this list grows, and it’s our students who benefit!

• Math

  Math is poetry, math is beauty, math is logic
  Many have heard me say that Math is the water boy for the Sciences. While we are more than happy to support the work of the sciences, we also realize the study of math is so much more.

  
  There is beauty, logic, philosophy, and poetry in the study of math. Our Upper School math teachers come from a wide range of backgrounds including oceanography, physics, business, and engineering. These diverse backgrounds help bring to life the classic applications found in our classes from Algebra through Calculus.

  
  Embrace the challenge!
  We are excited about the varied aspects of math applied and we are even more excited to see students develop their interests in the variety of fields where math will be key. We invite you to embrace the challenge!

• Science

  Inquiry-based, collaborative, and hands-on learning
  Science at Highland includes lab-based activities that range from structured investigations through guided inquiry activities to student-designed experiments; participation in field studies, presentations by guest speakers; a variety of contests, and enlightening classes. Our highly qualified science teachers connect with students to both teach and learn together as their classes work on projects and experiments.  

  
  In addition to lab investigations, science students have built wind tunnels, rockets, Soap Box Derby cars, and robots. During field studies, they have planted riparian zones, visited cancer centers, educational farms, trout release streams, and the Smithsonian. Students from Lower to Upper School have designed, planted, and maintained gardens, composting stations, and participated in nature and physics photography contests.

  
  Opportunities inside and out of the classroom
  The science department is proud of our students’ scientific endeavors outside of class as well, including our fabulous robotics teams, science fair contest winners, and summer program scholars.  These accomplishments have been a collaborative effort between wonderful teachers and motivated, hard-working, and highly capable students.

• World Languages

  Fostering interest and awareness
  Recognizing the global push for multilingualism, Highland’s World Languages Department seeks to foster the interest and awareness necessary to compete in today’s world. 

  
  Students are exposed to the culture, history, and current events in French and Spanish-speaking countries as well as the vibrancy of the languages through art, literature, song, and dance. By connecting grammar concepts with real-life situations that resonate and simulate real-life situations, students develop the confidence to explore interactions with native speakers.
  
  

  The World Languages Department imparts a love of language and a passion for teaching which allows students to appreciate new experiences only language can bring to our lives.