Upper School

Certificate Programs

Certificates allow students to pursue passions in depth

Most high school transcripts look alike. A list of courses. A set of grades. A record of what a student took. Highland's Certificate Programs tell a different story—one about who a student is, what they care about, and how far they'll go to master it. These optional programs let Upper School students chase a passion, build genuine expertise, and graduate with proof of serious, sustained commitment.

Each certificate pairs focused study with hands-on experience and a senior capstone, guided by faculty mentors and outside experts. The result isn't just a credential. It's a student who has done real work in a field they love — and can speak about it with confidence.

Leadership Certificates for students who want to shape their world

Leaders aren't born. They're made through practice, reflection, and the courage to step forward.

This certificate is for the student who refuses to sit on the sidelines. They study what real leadership looks like, learn from people who lead in the world, and put it to work running workshops, coordinating service projects, and guiding their peers. They graduate ready to lead—not because a title says so, but because they've already done it.

Global Studies Certificate challenges students drawn to the wider world

Some students feel the pull of places they've never been and problems bigger than their own backyard.

This certificate is for them. Through language study, cultural immersion, travel, and a capstone that tackles a real global challenge, students gain something no textbook can give: true global awareness. They graduate thinking across borders—having wrestled with complex questions and connected with people unlike themselves.

Have a builder's mind? Our Pre-Engineering Certificate is for you

Some students can't help but take things apart and ask, "How could this work better?"

This certificate is designed for the student who wants to understand what engineering really entails before committing to it in college. They dive into rigorous math and science, take on team engineering challenges, and finish with a capstone in which they research, design, build, and present a real solution to a real problem. They don't just hope to study engineering. They've already done it.

Arts Certificate for those with a deep creative identity

For some students, the arts aren't a hobby. They're who they are.

This certificate is for the committed creator, the painter, performer, musician, designer, or writer ready to dig deeper. Students explore the arts broadly, choose a concentration, complete an internship, and finish with a self-directed capstone entirely their own: a gallery exhibition, an original play, a portfolio, a film, a recital. They leave with a genuine body of work and an artistic voice they can carry anywhere.

A credential that says something real

Here's what every one of these certificates has in common: each one is proof.

When a student commits to a certificate program, they're choosing to go further than required. They spend years building expertise in something they love. That kind of sustained, self-directed commitment is exactly what the best colleges and universities are looking for.

In a sea of applications, a Highland certificate stands out. It tells an admissions officer that this student didn't just take classes—they pursued a passion, did authentic work, and saw it through to a meaningful conclusion. It's the difference between saying you're interested in something and showing you've already mastered it.

The journey matters. These certificates are one of the clearest ways Highland students show where that journey has taken them.

See it for yourself

The best way to understand what these programs can mean for your child is to talk with the faculty who lead them and see the work our students create. Come visit, and picture your child pursuing the passion that's all their own.

Meet Our Team

List of 4 members.

Michael Hughes

Artistic Director, Fine and Performing Arts Department Chair, Arts Certificate Coordinator
Scott Pragoff

Upper School Dean of Students, Leadership Certificate Coordinator, Social Science
Ann Maclean

Upper School Latin, Classical Language Department Chair, Global Studies Certificate Coordinator
Elisabeth Carver

Upper School Math, Pre-Engineering Certificate Coordinator