Upper School Grades 9 –12
Trinity’s Upper School is a transformational place. Students come here to be challenged intellectually, to learn in a place that values honor and integrity, to work closely with a talented and student-centered faculty, to develop life-long friendships, and to make a difference. They work hard and play hard, inquire deeply, discover new gifts, pray together, and grow as servant leaders. Our prayer is that they leave Trinity with spiritual and theological moorings that will guide and sustain them throughout their lives.
“My experience at Trinity School was defined by the variety of opportunities I was given to discover the role I play in God’s kingdom, whether it was discussing Melville in Humanities, acting in a play, or competing on the golf course.” Trinity Alumna
Deep, Inquiry-Based Study Trinity’s Upper School engages students in a rich, liberal arts curriculum that values depth and understanding, Socratic discussion, inquiry and self-discovery, self-reflection, eloquent expression, critical and creative thinking, and the classical tools of learning. This study, grounded in Christian faith and practice, helps cultivate transformative personal and intellectual growth.
Humanities In the interdisciplinary Great Books tradition, all students in grades 9–11 explore ancient and modern ideas, literature, history, art, and faith in yearlong Humanities courses. Humanities classes meet for twice the time allotted to other disciplines and satisfy graduation requirements for both English and history. Students in Honors Humanities engage all year with an approved “big question” and, through substantial research and guidance, produce sophisticated essays, reflections in other art forms, and a public defense of their conclusions.
Senior Capstone This program features a semester-long independent project guided by a faculty advisor in a discipline of the student’s choosing. Seniors’ topics have ranged from constructing a robotic arm for a UNC marine lab, to recording a CD of original music, to studying the impact of humanitarian contributions on Third World development, to serving as an assistant in a Duke University research lab, and many more.
Graduation Requirements Trinity requires a minimum of 24 credits for a diploma, including the following: English (4), history (3), mathematics (3), lab science (3), foreign language (3 or through the third level), visual or performing arts (1), Theology Studies I and II (1), Health and Wellness (.5), Rhetoric (.5), Senior Capstone (.5), a computer competency test (.5), and general electives (4).
Trinity’s college preparatory curriculum prepares our graduates well for college and life beyond. Ninety-eight percent of our graduates have gone on to four-year colleges and universities throughout the country, becoming active and engaged members of their new learning communities. Our seniors have been distinguished with numerous awards, including Governor’s School placements, athletic scholarships, Morehead-Cain and other full scholarships, National Merit scholarships, and over 15 million dollars in merit awards.
Upper School
College
Faith Vibrant Christian faith is the foundation for a rich education and nurtures the whole person. Daily prayer helps to awaken the spiritual imagination of our students so that their lives are full of wonder and awe at the works of God, and in weekly chapels students and teachers join to praise God and seek a better understanding of him. Through the study of God’s Word, in Bible and theology classes and woven throughout the curriculum, students are challenged to grow in their faith and learn what it means to pursue truth, goodness, and beauty in their daily lives.
The Arts Trinity’s arts program fully reflects God’s colorful, vibrant, and varied world. From TK through grade 12, art and design principles are introduced and built upon as keys to appreciating a wide spectrum of artists and genres. Trinity’s bands and vocal and string ensembles help strengthen musical ability and performance skills, and student artwork brightens the hallways throughout campus. Trinity’s performance theater programs stage both serious and lighthearted plays and musicals enjoyed by the entire Trinity community.
Athletics The Trinity School athletics program offers three full seasons of interscholastic sports for students in grades 6–12, with teams in soccer, basketball, swimming, tennis, golf, cross-country, volleyball, baseball, and track and field. Our programs work to teach students fundamental skills, teamwork, sportsmanship, perseverance, and the joys of hard work and play. Trinity’s athletes learn to compete at a high level while striving to exemplify authentic Chrisitan character.
Engineering, Robotics, and Computer Science Made in the image of our creator Father, we are blessed with the gifts of imagination, creativity, and innovation. The mission of Trinity’s engineering and computer science program is to raise up a STEM-smart generation of Trinity students who use their knowledge and skills from these fields in kingdom work to serve God’s creation and the wellbeing of others. The new Arts and Engineering Building is the nexus of Trinity’s logic, engineering, and computer science program. It provides expanded and improved space for computer-assisted design and 3-D printing, as well as an array of digital, woodworking, and machining tools to envision, design, and build products and investigate solutions to real-world problems. This new facility is a hub of creativity, entrepreneurship, and activity, where students learn not just from their instructor, but also from and with each other.
Service Learning Service learning at Trinity is an exciting and vibrant part of our community life. Through helping others, Trinity students of all ages discover the fruits of humble, Christ-like service, deepen their faith, and learn servant-leadership skills. Upper School students examine complex issues facing our community and nation, and some courses, including Literacy and the Augustine Project and Servant Leadership, feature significant service components.