Introduction to The Upper School

Harpeth Hall’s Upper School curriculum aligns directly with our mission: we offer a strong foundation in the sciences, humanities, and arts that fosters creative and critical thinking, promotes global perspectives, and sparks lifelong learning in our students.

The academic culture in the Upper School is characterized by intellectual vitality and joy. We encourage students to take academic risks that equate with their interests and to create a balanced schedule that is tailored to their individual needs.

We hope that students will also involve themselves in our rich co-curricular and extra-curricular offerings. As students select their academic courses, we encourage them to consider their additional time commitments so that they design a schedule that promotes well-being. Each student meets with her advisor and is counseled by her teachers to choose the best courses for her and to develop a flexible four-year academic plan.

The core academic curriculum is supplemented by our signature four-year Winterim program, several international exchange travel options, our Global Scholars program (for students in 10th through 12th grades), and opportunities for STEM research.

At the heart of each academic experience is our deep understanding of how girls learn best. Our teachers provide students with collaborative and interdisciplinary opportunities that ask girls to relate to each other and to the world around them. Our 75-minute blocks and rotating schedule allow for innovative teaching and deep exploration of subject matter. Stop by any classroom, and you will witness the strong connection between teachers and students that informs our vibrant learning community.

In addition, a visit to Harpeth Hall’s brand new Bullard Bright IDEA Lab will show you a vibrant space for learning, experimenting, and dreaming. Designed to be a creativity bridge between STEM and the humanities, in the Bullard Bright IDEA Lab students transform ideas that incubate in the classroom into real-life innovations and designs. The space features a podcast studio, chemistry kitchen, robotics lab, and more. It is education in action.

Armistead Lemon Director of the Upper School