UPPER SCHOOL GRADES 9–12
Our dedicated teachers challenge students in grades 9 through 12 to think critically, creatively solve problems, appreciate the arts, communicate effectively, collaborate with their peers, respect individual differences, and make a positive impact in their community.
OUR MISSION
Providence Day School exists to inspire in its students a passion for learning, a commitment to personal integrity, and a sense of social responsibility.
Dr. Glyn Cowlishaw Head of School
Gordon Bynum Assistant Head of Upper School / Registrar
Lisa Knight Assistant Head of School for Admissions & Enrollment Management
Andrea Gowin Upper School Dean of Students
Tosha Arriola Head of Upper School
Evan Mitchell Upper School Dean of Students
82 Upper School faculty members
30 AP classes offered
38% students of color (self-reported)
72 student countries of origin
95% of students scored 3 or higher on the AP exam
246 faculty members across all divisions
$23 million in merit scholarships for the class of 2024
133 school-wide faculty members with advanced degrees
729 students in grades 9–12
The PD Passport
At Providence Day School, we intentionally create experiences that foster intercultural learning inside and outside the classroom. Recognizing that the world is increasingly interconnected and everchanging, we intentionally create opportunities for our students to become empathetic, informed, and empowered global citizens.
All Providence Day students experience the TK-12 global education framework known as the “PD Passport,” which infuses traditional classes with the content, skills, and character dispositions critical to becoming a global citizen. Our classrooms are places of discovery where learning about diverse cultures and shared experiences creates connections to our larger humanity.
Global Curriculum
All Providence Day School students embrace a global mindset for today’s highly interconnected world. Students in the Global Studies Diploma program take globally focused courses, attend multicultural events, engage in leadership development, and have opportunities for international travel, with recent destinations including Iceland, Colombia, South Korea, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Providence Day’s membership in Round Square brings students to conferences in destinations including India, Kenya, and Peru. World Languages offered include Mandarin Chinese, French, Spanish, Latin, and German.
Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging
Providence Day School understands that the key to global citizenship is fostering an equitable, inclusive community of belonging. We deeply value the vibrant array of cultures, religions, races, sexual orientations, socioeconomic backgrounds, and countries of origin, among other cultural identifiers that add to our strength as a community.
The Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging supports, develops, and fosters a school community that reflects the increasing diversity in our nation and across the globe. We strive to develop in our students an ability to appreciate, value, and respect the differences and commonalities among members of our school community and those in the larger world around us. As such, we are actively committed to cultivating an inclusive environment through various programming, civic dialogue, and curriculum.
Social Responsibility & Character Education
Community engagement, which we use synonymously with social responsibility at Providence Day, is integrated throughout our curriculum alongside social-emotional learning. Our approach balances personal growth with developing meaningful connections to our community and world, empowering students to take action that makes a difference in others’ lives.
In the Upper School, community engagement focuses on investigation, innovation, and reflection. Classroom curriculum and campus initiatives encourage students to explore the economic, cultural, social, political, educational, and environmental challenges that hinder community development. Through their experiences in problembased or experiential learning coursework, Upper School students are encouraged to propose and implement innovative solutions to community challenges.
Charger Community Time allows Upper School students to explore themselves and their community through small-group activities, discussions, and hands-on experiences. The focus is on building academic skills and community. Each grade level has hallmark programming that is designed to facilitate this development.
Upper School students continue exploring values and academic skills that contribute to the greater community. The classroom and co-curricular experiences allow students to expand their worldview and practice the skills necessary to foster independence and autonomy.
In preparation for future opportunities in college and beyond, student support in the Upper School focuses on exploring how
students’ skills and interests intersect. These intentional practices and opportunities allow students to graduate from Providence Day School as globally minded, self-aware, and socially focused individuals.
In ninth grade, students learn through the Charger Impact Challenge. Student-centered Service Clubs collaborate with local organizations across all four grades to address community needs. A Teen Board supports the Freedom School, which works with area scholars in grades K-8 to prevent summer learning loss. A student-led Foundation Board lends financial support to student-centered social responsibility initiatives.
Honor Code
Providence Day has an Honor Code, which is designed to help foster an atmosphere of academic integrity and trust among our students and faculty. Students sign the Honor Pledge at the beginning of each school year and are expected to abide by the Honor Code when completing all their assignments. When faculty have concerns about the integrity of an assignment or assessment, an Honor Council process allows faculty and students to share their perspectives on the work in question so that a group of students and faculty may work together to decide if the Honor Code was broken.
The opportunities, experiences, and support I received at PD have been truly unmatched. From intellectually engaging classes and exceptional faculty mentorship to authentic and genuine student leadership opportunities, PD has given me more than I could have imagined. I am deeply grateful to my past self for choosing PD.
Anish Vedantham, Class of 2025
Curriculum
The Upper School curriculum is based on a course of study essential to a quality college preparatory education. An extensive range of elective courses is designed to broaden and deepen the students’ academic experiences and allow them to follow their curiosities and passions.
ADVANCED AND AP COURSES
ARTS
Honors Band; Honors Chorus; Honors Strings; AP Studio Art; AP Art History; AP Music Theory
IDEAS@PD
Advanced Structures in Java; Computer Science A; Computer Science Principles
ENGLISH
AP English Literature and Composition; AP English Language and Composition; AP African American Studies
HISTORY
Advanced Global Leadership; AP World History; AP US History; AP European History; AP US Government and Politics; AP Psychology; AP Microeconomics; AP Macroeconomics; AP Human Geography
MATH
Adv. Algebra II/Trigonometry; Adv. Analysis; Adv. Calculus; Adv. Calculus III; Adv. Differential Equations; Adv. Geometry; Adv. Linear Algebra; Adv. PreCalculus; AP Calculus AB; AP Calculus BC; AP Statistics
SCIENCE
AP Biology; AP Chemistry; AP Physics 1; AP Physics C: Mechanics, and Electricity and Magnetism; AP Environmental Science
PHYSICAL EDUCATION / HEALTH
Health; Lifetime Wellness; Athletic Development; Dancercise; International Games; Life Fitness; Early Bird Athletic Development
WORLD LANGUAGE
AP French; AP German; AP Latin; AP Spanish; AP Mandarin Chinese
Technology
Students in all Upper School grades use their school-issued iPads to become active learners, and each student finds different strategies for integrating digital technology into their academic journey.
Innovation
At Providence Day, innovation goes far beyond technology and is woven into every aspect of teaching and learning. In the Upper School, students may find themselves in the Makerspace, learning about 3D printing, laser cutting, or other hands-on problemsolving methods. A Digital Makerspace, known as “the studio,” is also available, with facilities for students to practice filming, video editing, audio recording, podcasting, and more. We also offer students the opportunity to learn real-world critical thinking and design skills in our Architecture and Design class and AP Computer Science Principles.
In addition to maker problem-solving, students can join clubs and activities such as competitive drone racing, robot programming, and manufacturing, leading to and out of elective courses like Robotics & Engineering or Financial Analytics. IDEAS provides a home for these interdisciplinary endeavors and a range of activities, from Esports to entrepreneurship.
IDEAS at PD offers students the chance to explore and expand their passions and curiosities around innovation, design, entrepreneurship, analytics, and sustainability . This unique program invites faculty and students to work across boundaries and at the intersections of traditional disciplines and departments. The learning arising from these courses always aims at applied, collaborative problem-solving. Along with this new curriculum is the IDEASxChange, a new space in the DicksonHemby Technology Center.
Clubs & Activities
Student life in the Upper School strives beyond the classroom. With over 75 student-led clubs, affinity groups, service opportunities, and competitive groups, there are meaningful opportunities for all students. Whether students explore a new passion, deepen an existing interest, or launch something entirely new, clubs offer a vibrant and inclusive space for connection, leadership, and selfexpression. Clubs encompass various areas, including academic and competitive teams, affinity and alliance groups, arts and culture, career and professional interests, community engagement and service, and media publications.
Students may take on leadership roles in organizations such as the Honor Council, Foundation Board, or student government, and they are encouraged to create new clubs each year that reflect emerging interests or unmet needs in the community. Above all, clubs at Providence Day empower students to lead, collaborate, and nurture their passions while having fun and building lasting relationships.
Arts
We are committed to nurturing creativity and confidence at every stage of learning. Comprehensive exposure to visual arts, music, and theatre is vital to each student’s educational journey. In the Upper School, students may choose from various visual arts classes or enroll in performing arts courses such as a musical ensemble, theatre, technical theatre, or AP Music Theory. Each year, the Upper School Theatre Department produces both a play and a musical, allowing students to participate on stage or behind the scenes. Additional opportunities include involvement in a cappella groups and membership in national honor societies for visual arts and music. Through enrichment experiences such as honors ensembles and artsrelated trips, students can broaden their artistic perspectives and showcase their talents through off-campus performances.
Athletics
Participation in the Providence Day athletic program enables studentathletes to pursue excellence, foster lasting relationships, and develop physically and emotionally. Students in grades 8 through 12 have the opportunity to participate in a variety of team sports.
The athletic department is committed to developing the whole person by integrating excellence in education and athletic competition. As an extension of the classroom, the athletic program promotes sportsmanship, commitment, character, respect, and integrity, instilling lifelong values and fostering meaningful personal growth in each student-athlete.
Alumni Community
Providence Day School cultivates its vibrant network of over 4,000 alumni, who are vital to our school community. All PD graduates and former students are considered members of the Alumni Association. We are committed to supporting PD’s mission and success through events, networking opportunities, and our alumnispecific platform, PD Connect. Even after graduation, all alums are #AlwaysACharger!
Parent Community
All Providence Day parents are members of the Parents’ Association, whose mission is to collaborate with the school to foster a vibrant community through volunteer activities, fellowship opportunities, and fundraising events that support families, faculty, and staff. Additionally, parents are encouraged to join the Charger Club, which strengthens the athletic experience through fundraising and volunteerism, and the Friends of the Arts, which supports the visual and performing arts.
My wife always says to ‘bloom where you’re planted,’ and PD is a very fertile place. Not only are the parents very supportive of each other, but I have found our kids’ friends within the PD community are wonderful people, and are developing into wonderful young adults.
John Olin, father of students in the classes of 2020, 2022, and 2023
Campus
Providence Day cultivates a vibrant, active environment full of innovative spaces. Our campus supports a year-round slate of activities, programs, celebrations, and events. Explore an interactive map at www.providenceday.org/around-campus/campus-map .