Upper School
Confidence in knowing. What comes next begins today. The skills you gain, the strengths you discover, and the knowledge you attain will set the stage for every act to follow.
Welcome to Upper School
Welcome
In the Upper School, we challenge and inspire our students to strive for excellence. Our academically rigorous curriculum is brought to life by our veteran faculty. Each Breck teacher knows and cares about their students — and inspires them to pursue challenging and rewarding academic opportunities each day. Developing each student’s unique talents, spirit, and potential is central to our mission. We encourage students to carve their own path, led by the ongoing discovery of where their interests meet their potential. Through competitive athletic teams, vibrant visual and performing arts programs, and a robust community partnerships program, Breck graduates leave our campus with a healthy understanding of the complex world they are entering. More importantly, they graduate with the skills to compete, the confidence to lead, and the empathy to serve.
Troy Baker, Ed.D. Upper School Director
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Upper School
Tomorrow begins to Personalization and Press
Academic Opportunities
Students work hard at Breck. It’s through connecting to them as individuals that we know how best to push them without overwhelming them.
At Breck, our rigorous and wide-ranging academic program prepares students for what’s next. We offer an Upper
Our weekly tutorial periods mirror
blends foundational courses with
the office hours at most colleges and universities and allow our teachers, advisors, and college counselors to guide students as they chart their course to college and beyond.
School student experience that opportunities to dig deep into content areas through advanced, honors, AP, world language, and May Program courses.
Academic Program
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w oday.
Firmly rooted in our mission to create confident learners, Breck’s academic program equips students with a well-rounded education that will support them as they move on to college and beyond.
Schedule
Teacher Accessibility
Our daily schedule has a rhythm similar to a college campus.
We ask every student to complete one task: do Breck well. To us, this is defined by taking
Designed by our tenured faculty and guided by research from Breck’s Peter Clark Center for Mind, Brain, and Education, this approach allows students time for deeper exploration and more meaningful discussions. It also teaches them the demands and time management skills they’ll need for their future education.
advantage of the many pathways created for connection, creativity, and deeper learning. Our small class sizes allow students to connect with their teachers on a one-to-one basis and partner with our faculty as learners and collaborators.
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Upper School
Set for every stage. Learning doesn’t only occur in the classroom. We offer these programs so students can broaden their passions, deepen their interests, and create their most authentic experience while they’re here.
At Breck, we see athletics as an extension of the classroom. Whether on the court or on the field, student-athletes are always learning new ways to lead, collaborate, and work toward a common goal, all while strengthening their mental and physical health. Our coaching staff is dedicated to teaching commitment and preparation, personal growth and teamwork, and urge our students toward excellence independent of outcome.
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The Performing Arts at Breck provide students more than just the chance to grow and explore their own self-expression and creativity — it’s a chance for them to build something together. Through dance, music, and theatre, students gain first hand exposure to the arts and develop the skills and discipline to create as a group.
Our Visual Arts Department is studiobased at its very core. Students create work in vivid, beautiful studio spaces under the guidance of real working artists who share their knowledge, talent, enthusiasm, and inspirations that rouse their imagination.
Algebra II Precalculus Honors Precalculus Calculus Computer Science I–II
AP U.S. History
Ethics Religious Imagery in Film
Func./Stat./Trig. Precalculus Calculus AP Calculus AB Advanced Mathematics Research AP Computer Science A
AP Art History AP European History AP U.S. History Advanced History Research (grade 12 only)
Calculus AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Stats Advanced Topics in Mathematics
Varying course themes such as Economics, African American Studies, American Elections, and Honors Research.
History
World Religions II
Mathematics
World Religions I
Algebra 1B Algebra II Honors Adv. Algebra Geometry Computer Science I–II
Religion
Biology AP Biology
Chinese I–VI Advanced Chinese Seminar I–II Advanced Chinese for Immersion Students & Heritage Speakers I–II
Chinese
Engineering Advanced Molecular Biology Robotics Anatomy and Physiology
Semester Electives
AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics C Advanced Physics Advanced Science Research
Year-Long Electives
Chemistry AP Chemistry
French
French I–VI AP French Language & Culture French VII: Advanced French Literature & Culture Advanced French for Immersion Students & Heritage Speakers I–II
Electives available throughout Upper School
Physics Advanced Physics
Spanish
Science
World Languages
Spanish I–VI AP Spanish Language & Culture Spanish VII: Advanced Spanish Literature & Culture Advanced Spanish for Immersion Students & Heritage Speakers I–II
Please see the course guide at breckschool.org for more details.
English 9
Grade 9 English 10
Grade 10
Grade 11
Theatre
English 11 AP Language & Composition AP Literature
Dance Dance Advanced Dance Repertory
Actors Workshop: Film and Monologues Actors Workshop: Musical and Classics Advanced Studio Theatre Theater Production I–II Advanced Theatrical Design: Scenery Advanced Theatrical Design: Light & Sound
3D
Grade 12
Music
Upper School Voices Advanced Concert Chorale Symphonic Winds/Jazz Ensemble String Orchestra Advanced Chamber Players Music and Film Music Psychology Music Theory I AP Music Theory
Creative Design Draw/Paint I–IV Draw/Paint Studio I–II AP Drawing
2D Creative Design Photography I–IV Photo Studio I–II AP 2D Art and Design
1 semester of Physical Education (Yoga, Outdoor Leadership, and Personal Fitness), OR 3 sports for 2 years, 2 sports for 3 years, OR 2 semesters of dance
Creative Design Ceramics I–IV Ceramics Studio I–II AP 3D Art and Design (Ceramic)
Health and Performance Physiology
Photography
AP Literature AP Language & Composition Black American Literature* Creative Writing* Self in the World* *advanced version available
Curriculum Overview English
Performing Arts
Visual Arts
Health & Physical Ed.
Semester Electives U.S. History
Year-Long Electives Modern World History
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Upper School
Leave no i unexplore World Languages With Chinese, French, or Spanish to
Advanced Research Opportunities
choose from, our World Language
For students in grade 11 and grade 12
program exposes Upper School students to new people, cultures, and ideas. It enhances a student’s capacity to speak languages and develop a lifelong appreciation for other people and cultures.
Religious Studies At Breck, our Religious Studies program emphasizes understanding religion as lived, diverse, and dynamic, knowing the ways religion functions as a part of peoples’ lives and society as a whole.
with the ambition for advanced study, we offer three highly regarded research programs in Science, History, and Mathematics. Guided by professional mentors, students pursue college-level research projects, working in labs and professional settings on some of the most essential subjects facing our society.
idea ed.
Student Experience
At Breck, we urge every student to pursue knowledge in and out of the classroom.
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May Program Students thrive when given the opportunity to pursue their interests. Which is why, every year, Upper School students take part in May Program. During this two week program, grade 9 and 10 students have more than 50 short courses to choose from; at the same time, grade 11 and 12 students pursue internships or immersive trips domestically or internationally.
Community Engagement Social responsibility is central to a Breck education. Therefore, Upper School students engage with one of over 40 Twin Cities community partners each week. Whether working with preschoolers at our local Head Start chapter or packing nourishing meals, every student is urged to serve our neighbors.
Clubs We want to encourage students to pursue their passions, and maybe even discover a few new ones. From experimenting with robotics or writing for the student newspaper, debating in Model UN, or advocating for the environment, there’s always a new and exciting way to make friends, learn more, and grow together.
Student Leadership Breck students are integral to the leadership of our school and have the opportunity to serve on one of six of our student councils, as well as councils in advocacy, arts, athletics, community action, and DEI.
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Upper School
Forward to the future. At Breck, preparation for college goes well beyond grades.
College Counseling
Senior Speeches
Preparing for college can be
Every week, Upper School students
overwhelming. Which is why, at
gather to hear speeches presented
Breck, nobody does it alone. Starting
by their classmates. During this
in grade 10, students meet their
cherished Breck tradition, students
college counselor to discuss interests,
have the opportunity to share a
prepare for standardized testing,
personally meaningful topic with
and develop a plan to achieve their
the community, often reflecting
academic goals. We work together
on the impact of their Breck
with families to ensure every student
experience. Senior speeches are
is confident and pointed in the right
a culminating and formational
direction for whatever’s next.
experience for our graduates
breckschool.org
“Breck has given me a learning environment with supportive classmates and teachers who help me grow both in and out of the classroom.” Max Upper School Student