upper school (9-12)
Our hope is that students leave the Upper School with their lives expanded. By trying new ideas, disciplines, challenges, and experiences, they discover more fully who they are and what they have to offer. Rather than feeling confined to a single path, they graduate with a constellation of possibilities — and the confidence to chart a course that is uniquely their own.
Ashley SatterthwaiteHead of Upper School
Thinking Critically, Acting Thoughtfully
Students in the Upper School are expected to take an active role in their education, think critically and creatively, and act thoughtfully, both in and out of the classroom. They participate in dynamic, hands-on, discussion-based classes. They voice their opinions in assemblies, in school publications, and on school committees.
Close relationships with their teachers, who act as advisors, mentors, and role models, inspire them to follow their passions and translate those passions into full and fulfilling lives of thoughtful purpose. To meet the needs of a wide range of learners, each academic department offers courses designated as Accelerated, Honors, or AP. These classes challenge students to dive deeply into areas of interest.
Sequence of Courses
The standard course load consists of five academic courses per semester plus an elective that may be an academic or an art course. Electives vary from year to year. Students also participate in Athletics/Physical Education on a yearly basis to fulfill their graduation requirements. Click here for the Upper School Curriculum Guide.
| English |
| Minimum Requirements : 4 Years (Grades 9-12) |
| History |
| Minimum Requirements : 4 Years (Grades 9-12) |
| Science |
| Minimum Requirements : 3 Years (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) |
| Language |
| Minimum Requirements : Completion of Spanish III or III Accelerated* |
| Mathematics |
| Minimum Requirements : 3 Years (Integrated I, Integrated II, Algebra II) |
| Health |
| Minimum Requirements : 1 Semester (Grade 10) |
| Arts |
| Minimum Requirements : 4 Semesters (at least 1 Visual Arts and 1 Performing Arts course) |
| Athletics/Physical Education/After-School Activities Credit |
| Minimum Requirements : Yearly participation (9th and 10th grades – both semesters/2 seasons; 11th and 12th grades – one semester/season) |
| Community Service (TAP) |
| Minimum Requirements : 4 Years (Grades 9-12) |
| Senior Internship Project (SIP) |
| Minimum Requirements : Senior year (May be completed the summer before senior year through the end of senior year) |
**Students are strongly encouraged to continue beyond Integrated III.
SFP SBA Non-Discrimination Compliance Policy (Upper School)
The Student Experience
| Global Online Academy |
Since 2024, Santa Fe Prep has been a member of the Global Online Academy (GOA) consortium, which is comprised of over 140 public and private schools across six continents and from more than 30 countries. As a member school, Prep juniors and seniors in good academic/behavioral standing and on track with their graduation requirements may take a semester or year-long elective as part of their six-course load and included in their Prep tuition. GOA is a popular addition to our curricular offerings, allowing students to explore their interests and pursue their passions in small classes taught by outstanding faculty and through a wide variety of courses, including a curated list of sought-after AP courses. Our membership affords Prep students the opportunity to meet and learn with a diverse array of classmates, all while strengthening essential skills that will allow them to thrive in a globally networked society. For more information about GOA, please follow this link. |
| Advisory |
| Every student at Prep is assigned an advisor, who is the student’s advocate in all areas of school life and the parents’ first point of contact for questions and concerns about the student’s life at school. Advisors are there to provide guidance and support. In the Middle School, advisory groups are by grade level; in the Upper School, they are mixed grade levels. The advisory program is fundamental to Prep’s commitment to being present for our students and engaging them actively in their education. Indeed, many of the advisory relationships formed at Prep last long after the student has moved on to college. |
| College Counseling |
| Through our personalized approach, our partnership with students enables us to curate a balanced list of schools based on their academic and co-curricular interests. We believe in and practice the idea that students should find the college that best fits them not only academically, but also socially and financially. This emphasis on “fit” gives students the best opportunity to experience the transformative power of education. We also know that college may not be the best option for everyone, and we offer support for all students as they plan for life after Prep. |
| Student Leadership |
| We believe students grow best when they're given real opportunities to lead. Our students are naturally interested, engaged, forward-thinking, and eager to make an impact in their community. Leadership at Prep takes many forms, including Student Council, Student Ambassadors, Peer Mentors, Athletic Team Captains, TAP Leaders, and editors of our student publications. Through these experiences, students discover powerful truths: their voices matter, their ideas count, and their community is stronger because of them. |