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Upper School
Overview
The Upper School provides a challenging educational, college-preparatory program in a supportive, nurturing environment. There is a strong sense of tradition in the school’s dedication to serving the needs of the whole student. The academic curriculum addresses the college preparatory mission of the school while athletic and enrichments courses allow students to express other aspects of their talents. Students enjoy an average class size of 10-12. An advisor system enables students to receive individual guidance and support, and trained professionals in the Learning Center offer support and/or accommodations for those who have unique needs. A strong tradition of community service also promotes the personal qualities that are necessary to the development of responsible citizens and effective future leaders.
Grading system
Grade point averages are calculated on a 4.0 scale. Credit given for Algebra I and Spanish I taken in the eighth grade is calculated into the grade point average. The GPA reported for transfer students reflects all academic courses where credit was previously granted. All GPAs, including honors and Advanced Placement courses, are calculated on an unweighted 4.0 scale.
Standardized testing and class rank
Because of the small size of classes and its educational philosophy about learning, Charleston Collegiate does not rank students.
Honors and Advanced Placement
Charleston Collegiate School’s students participating in Honors programs are expected to demonstrate the intellectual initiative to accomplish more independent work, to progress through their course work at a challenging pace, and to grasp a deep understanding of the course material. Students enrolling in Advance Placement courses are nominated by their current teachers and approved by the teachers of the Advance Placement courses. We offer the following AP courses: Calculus, English Literature and Composition, English Language and Composition, Physics, Spanish and United States History. Grades are not weighted for Honors and AP courses.
College Counseling
Determining the right college after Charleston Collegiate School is an important task that requires a great deal of thought and energy. Just as students offer varied personalities, the schools available to them are diverse. There are a number of considerations that will enable parents and students to determine what options are best, and it is important to discuss them openly together. Is there an interest in staying in Charleston or the Southeast, or is a broader selection desired? Once these larger questions have been answered, there are many considerations in determining what will be the best academic environment for the next four years. Do you want a small school or a large one? Do you want a single-sex environment or a coeducational one? Do you want a rural setting, an urban setting, or something in between? Do you want a school with a religious affiliation? Will you need financial aid?
Mrs. Elizabeth Boyd,[E-mail]Head of the Upper School, works in conjunction with the English faculty to guide students through their decisions and the application process. It is essential that students follow the recommended timeline and do as much research as possible before they begin.
Curriculum
The curriculum for the Upper School offers a challenging series of core subjects well-suited for the college-bound student body. Students are expected to complete 22 credits for graduation.
English - 4 Credits
Mathematics - 4 Credits
Science - 3 Credits
Social Studies/History - 3 Credits
Foreign Language - 3 Credits
Computing - ½ Credit
Speech - ½ Credit
Fine Arts - 1 Credit
Physical Education - 1 Credit (1/4 credit per year)
Electives - 2 Credits
Ninth Grade
English I (Literary Analysis of the Genres); Mathematics (Algebra I or Geometry); Science (Conceptual Science); Spanish I or II; Ancient and Medieval History; Speech (1 semester); Advanced Computers (1 semester)
Tenth Grade
English II (Humanities); Mathematics (Geometry or Algebra II or Algebra II Honors); Science (Conceptual Physics, Biology, or Chemistry); Spanish II; Modern History (Humanities)
Eleventh Grade
English III (American Literature or AP English); Mathematics (Algebra II, Algebra III or Pre-Calculus); Science (Marine Biology, AP Biology, or Chemistry); United States History (or AP U. S. History); Spanish III (or Spanish III Honors)
Twelfth Grade
English IV (British Literature or AP English); Mathematics (Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus, or Algebra III); Government and Economics
Upper School Electives
1 semester - Advanced Computing, Filmmaking, Film Studies, Music Theory, Chorus, Environmental Science, Topics in Drama, Topics in Studio Art, Modern Shakespeare, Modern Fiction, Senior Institute, Ceramics, Glassblowing, Metalwork
1 or 2 semesters - Studio Art, Drama, Yearbook
2 semesters - AP Spanish, Journalism, Marine Biology, AP Physics, AP Calculus
(Exemptions from Graduation Requirements: Students transferring into Charleston Collegiate School as juniors who cannot schedule the required Charleston Collegiate School units prior to graduation will be evaluated for academic alternatives. Such students must still have a total of 22 acceptable units for CCS graduation.)
CCS Curriculum Map
The Upper School provides a challenging educational, college-preparatory program in a supportive, nurturing environment. There is a strong sense of tradition in the school’s dedication to serving the needs of the whole student. The academic curriculum addresses the college preparatory mission of the school while athletic and enrichments courses allow students to express other aspects of their talents. Students enjoy an average class size of 10-12. An advisor system enables students to receive individual guidance and support, and trained professionals in the Learning Center offer support and/or accommodations for those who have unique needs. A strong tradition of community service also promotes the personal qualities that are necessary to the development of responsible citizens and effective future leaders.
Grading system
Grade point averages are calculated on a 4.0 scale. Credit given for Algebra I and Spanish I taken in the eighth grade is calculated into the grade point average. The GPA reported for transfer students reflects all academic courses where credit was previously granted. All GPAs, including honors and Advanced Placement courses, are calculated on an unweighted 4.0 scale.
Standardized testing and class rank
Because of the small size of classes and its educational philosophy about learning, Charleston Collegiate does not rank students.
Honors and Advanced Placement
Charleston Collegiate School’s students participating in Honors programs are expected to demonstrate the intellectual initiative to accomplish more independent work, to progress through their course work at a challenging pace, and to grasp a deep understanding of the course material. Students enrolling in Advance Placement courses are nominated by their current teachers and approved by the teachers of the Advance Placement courses. We offer the following AP courses: Calculus, English Literature and Composition, English Language and Composition, Physics, Spanish and United States History. Grades are not weighted for Honors and AP courses.
College Counseling
Determining the right college after Charleston Collegiate School is an important task that requires a great deal of thought and energy. Just as students offer varied personalities, the schools available to them are diverse. There are a number of considerations that will enable parents and students to determine what options are best, and it is important to discuss them openly together. Is there an interest in staying in Charleston or the Southeast, or is a broader selection desired? Once these larger questions have been answered, there are many considerations in determining what will be the best academic environment for the next four years. Do you want a small school or a large one? Do you want a single-sex environment or a coeducational one? Do you want a rural setting, an urban setting, or something in between? Do you want a school with a religious affiliation? Will you need financial aid?
Mrs. Elizabeth Boyd,[E-mail]Head of the Upper School, works in conjunction with the English faculty to guide students through their decisions and the application process. It is essential that students follow the recommended timeline and do as much research as possible before they begin.
Curriculum
The curriculum for the Upper School offers a challenging series of core subjects well-suited for the college-bound student body. Students are expected to complete 22 credits for graduation.
English - 4 Credits
Mathematics - 4 Credits
Science - 3 Credits
Social Studies/History - 3 Credits
Foreign Language - 3 Credits
Computing - ½ Credit
Speech - ½ Credit
Fine Arts - 1 Credit
Physical Education - 1 Credit (1/4 credit per year)
Electives - 2 Credits
Ninth Grade
English I (Literary Analysis of the Genres); Mathematics (Algebra I or Geometry); Science (Conceptual Science); Spanish I or II; Ancient and Medieval History; Speech (1 semester); Advanced Computers (1 semester)
Tenth Grade
English II (Humanities); Mathematics (Geometry or Algebra II or Algebra II Honors); Science (Conceptual Physics, Biology, or Chemistry); Spanish II; Modern History (Humanities)
Eleventh Grade
English III (American Literature or AP English); Mathematics (Algebra II, Algebra III or Pre-Calculus); Science (Marine Biology, AP Biology, or Chemistry); United States History (or AP U. S. History); Spanish III (or Spanish III Honors)
Twelfth Grade
English IV (British Literature or AP English); Mathematics (Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus, or Algebra III); Government and Economics
Upper School Electives
1 semester - Advanced Computing, Filmmaking, Film Studies, Music Theory, Chorus, Environmental Science, Topics in Drama, Topics in Studio Art, Modern Shakespeare, Modern Fiction, Senior Institute, Ceramics, Glassblowing, Metalwork
1 or 2 semesters - Studio Art, Drama, Yearbook
2 semesters - AP Spanish, Journalism, Marine Biology, AP Physics, AP Calculus
(Exemptions from Graduation Requirements: Students transferring into Charleston Collegiate School as juniors who cannot schedule the required Charleston Collegiate School units prior to graduation will be evaluated for academic alternatives. Such students must still have a total of 22 acceptable units for CCS graduation.)
CCS Curriculum Map