Inspiring Community
Visionary Leadership
At St. Andrew’s, we encourage students to live lives of
responsibility to each other and to the larger community.
Active service and reflection are crucial parts of the Upper School curriculum, bringing our students together as they apply their academic skills to solve real world problems. In the grade 9 Service Learning course, all students learn more about diversity and our common humanity as they volunteer with Washington, D.C., nonprofit organizations. Students in grades 10–12 can fulfill their service requirements by developing a social entrepreneurship enterprise through the International Development class, or participating in service trips to Chicago, Haiti, or marine research sites. All seniors complete an individual three-week service project at the close of the year.
30
Upper School students attending diversity conferences annually
18%
of 2019 graduates recruited for college athletic programs, including 10% for D1 programs
100%
of students completing independent projects, ranging from scholarly research to service to artistic works to entrepreneurial endeavors
51
CTTL Student Research Fellows contributing to original Mind, Brain, and Education Science research since 2013
“This year as a senior our daughter is taking International Development, which mixes anthropology, business, economics, humanitarian relief, and history into a single class. Seeing her deeply engaged in this multidiscipline program is refreshing. When we talked about the legal issues facing her proposed business, at the dinner table, I was deeply impressed. This is stellar education and preparation for students who will be better prepared for the working world.”
10%
of St. Andrew’s graduates enroll in elite programs in architecture, art and design, or music
Upper School Curricular Highlights
ALLAN FREEDMAN, PARENT
OUR RESEARCH-INFORMED SCHEDULE 8:30 A.M. – 3:15 P.M. Each Wednesday begins with all-school assembly or Time By Design, which students can use to pursue individual passions, deeper learning, or personal well-being.
100+
leadership opportunities, including Student Government, mentoring younger grades on campus, captaining sports teams, and running student clubs
GRADES 9–12
Morning Meeting Academic Block Academic Block Study Hall or Office Hours Academic Block Lunch and Advisory Academic Block
Students meet for clubs or leave early for athletic competitions without missing valuable academic time.
Academic Block or Tues./Thurs. Activity Athletic teams practice from 3:30–5:45 p.m.
Students have time each day to meet with teachers, work on projects, and collaborate with peers. Having only four or five 65-minute academic classes per day reduces homework load and cognitive transitions, leading to deeper learning.
OUR MISSION
A coed, college preparatory day school | Age 2 to Grade 12 8804 Postoak Road Potomac, MD 20854
SAES.org admission@saes.org 240.477.1700
To know and inspire each child in an inclusive community dedicated to exceptional teaching, learning, and service
Dynamic Growth and Transformative Achievement Our challenging, college preparatory Upper School
program develops well-rounded individuals with the personal qualities essential for lifelong learning and
growth. Our talented faculty apply the latest research to design their classes and connect with students to help
them maximize their potential. Students, advisors, teachers, parents, and administrators collaborate to foster students’
self-awareness, self-confidence, and pursuit of excellence.
Coming of Age or Honors Coming of Age Great Works or Honors Great Works American Literature or AP English Literature Psychology in Literature, Contemporary Voices in Literature, International Voices in Literature, or AP English Language
Electives include: Creative Writing • Advanced Creative Writing • Power of Persuasion
History At least 3 years: Global Studies or Honors Global Studies US/Euro I or AP European History US/Euro II or AP US History
A sampling of electives: AP Government • Honors History Capstone Seminar • Present History and Race Matters • American Radicals and Rebels and the Gilded Age
At least 3 years, including Biology and 2 other lab science courses
Electives include: AP Biology • Geoscience and Remote Sensing • Chemistry • Organic and Biochemistry • Conceptual Physics • Physics I, II, and Honors • Environmental Science • Robotics
World Languages
At least 2 years of either French, Latin, Mandarin, or Spanish AP courses offered in French, Latin, and Spanish
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS English 4 years:
Science
Math At least 3 years and completion of: Algebra I Geometry or Honors Geometry Algebra II/ Trigonometry or Honors Algebra II/Trig
Electives include: Precalculus • AP Calculus AB and BC • AP Statistics • Multivariable Calculus • Linear Algebra • Game Design • Mobile Application Design • Intro to Computer Programming
Arts
At least 4 trimesters, including 1 visual art course and 1 performing art course Intro through advanced courses offered, including 27 performing arts choices and 19 visual arts choices
A sampling of electives: Dance Technique and Performance • Acting Shakespeare • Lighting and Sound Design • Guitar • Piano • Symphonic Rock Orchestra • AP Music Theory • Ceramics • Digital Design • Drawing • Photography • Real World Applications of Art and Design • AP Studio Art
Physical Education
INDEPENDENT PROJECTS
Grades 9–10 complete 2 trimesters of athletics and/ or fitness, and Grades 11–12 complete 1 trimester
Students rise to the challenge of developing their research, writing, and public speaking skills through several extensive projects that are hallmarks of the Upper School program.
Grades 9 and 11 each complete 1 trimester of health
• The Great Works Project challenges sophomores to make impassioned arguments for why a book of their choice should be taught to all grade 10 English students.
Varsity and JV teams and sports include: Baseball • Basketball • Cross Country • Dance • Fitness • Golf • Lacrosse • Soccer • Softball • Swimming • Tennis • Track • Volleyball • Wrestling
Community Service
Grades 9–11 complete 20 hours each year Grade 12 fulfills three weeks of service every May after completing final exams
Philosophy and Religion At least 3 trimesters: Service Learning 9 Justice (grade 10) Biblical Theology (grade 11)
• Through the yearlong Oral History Project, St. Andrew’s juniors have created the largest precollegiate collection of oral histories in North America. • All seniors complete a 15-page, fully documented research paper on a significant topic of their choice, using primary and secondary sources.
INTERDISCIPLINARY OFFERINGS Art and science, business and culture, technology and service—learning at St. Andrew’s spans disciplines and skills. Examples of signature interdisciplinary electives include: D!Lab Engineering and Design Thinking • Neuroscience • AP Computer Science Principles • AP Computer Science A • International Development • AP Economics • AP Psychology
Electives include: Religion and Popular Culture • Philosophy and the History of Thought
COLLEGE COUNSELING College counseling at St. Andrew’s is a comprehensive four-year process managed by two college counselors. Our highly individualized program helps each student find the right fit, whether that’s an Ivy League school, a small liberal arts college, a state university, or a school of art, engineering, and design.