Courses of Study in the Upper School
Kent Place is committed to college preparation, and the Upper School curriculum has been designed to fulfill the admission requirements of the most competitive colleges. Recognizing that not all young women have the same college preparatory needs, faculty advisors assist each student in making a course selection appropriate for her, and then, when the student is a senior, in reaching a college choice consistent with her strengths and interests. The School encourages challenge and enjoyment in course selection. Emphasis is on the development of reading, writing and analytical skills with a broad course of study in math, sciences and the humanities, enriched by experiences in the visual and performing arts and athletics. The academic year is broken into trimesters. Students receive comments from their teachers at mid-trimester and grades at the end of each trimester. Final exams are given in late May and early June to Grades 9 through 11. Final Exams in AP courses are determined at the discretion of the department. Each faculty advisor considers with her/his advisee the appropriate course load. The student should consider her extra-curricular involvement – specifically athletics, drama, music, other arts interests, volunteer commitments and family commitments – before registering for more than five courses. The quality of the total program, both academic and extra-curricular, is more important than the number of courses a student takes.
Independent Study j The opportunity to participate in an independent study at Kent Place School is reserved for seniors. This opportunity allows students to develop a course of study that extends beyond course work already taken. It also provides opportunities for students to pursue interdisciplinary work and to apply knowledge and skills in venues beyond their individual classrooms. Examples of recently accepted proposals include the following: Art through the 19th century and its Influence on Modern Art; Musical History; and Theory, A Survey of French Theater; and Statistics and Statistical Research. It is not unusual for students to take courses in a subject area that is the focus of their independent study at the same time as they are engaging in independent study course work. If an independent study proposal is approved, students may then receive academic credit for their work. The amount of academic credit a student receives corresponds to the number of trimesters for which the independent study has been approved. Certain types of requests will not be approved for independent study. Proposals to pursue AP courses or general courses not currently offered at Kent Place School will not be considered. Neither will requests to substitute for current course or departmental requirements be considered. In addition, proposals centered on private, weekly music instruction in voice or instrumental work will not be eligible.
Independent study proposals are reviewed annually by the Upper School Academic Committee in late April. Members of the committee include the Director of Studies, Upper School Director and Department Chairs. Students submit proposals to the Director of Studies by April 1 of their junior year. Students are notified as to the status of their proposals by the middle of May. Submissions must include a cover sheet along with the actual proposal. Guidelines for cover sheets and proposals are listed below. The committee takes into account a student’s past and current academic performance, course load, and school and outside commitments as they consider proposals. The committee discusses the extent to which a student has shown herself to be a self-starter, organized, able to follow through on commitments, passionate about the subject area or areas and motivated to complete independent work. All of these factors are discussed in conjunction with the proposal. Interdisciplinary proposals are encouraged. Involvement in an independent study is dependent on the availability and interest of a teacher in facilitating a student’s work in this area. Independent study proposals are written expressly by students with the input and oversight of a particular teacher. It is incumbent on the student to develop the independent study proposal and, if approved, to complete all assignments documented in the proposal. The teacher who facilitates the independent study is responsible for assessing a student’s independent study work and any culminating performance. Cover sheets must include the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Independent study course title Student name Advisor name and signature Independent study teacher name and signature Department Chair name and signature Upper School Director name and signature
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Proposals must include the following: 1. Independent study course title 2. Course description, including course readings, assignments, due dates and other items relevant to course completion 3. Teacher’s name 4. The number of trimesters over which the independent study will take place 5. The type of culminating assessment that will provide evidence of course completion (e.g., public performance, presentation)
The Writing Center The Writing Center provides a positive environment in which individuals or groups of students may obtain help in all steps of the writing process. Students may initiate conferences to accomplish specific goals, and teachers may recommend and require that students attend the Center. As a resource for all Upper School students and teachers, the Writing Center monitors the various expectations for format and content according to each discipline. Elective courses are marked by the symbol j. 29