Upper School Viewbook 2023 - 24

Create Intentional Impact

At St. Anne’s-Belfield School, we believe in the creative force that resides within each student, and that our Upper School is a canvas for shaping the person your student is meant to become. In this realm of boundless possibilities, students are taught how to take command of their own learning, how to lead with vision, and how to become exemplary citizens within a greater whole. Alongside dynamic, caring faculty members who are experts in their fields, Saints explore, innovate, experiment, imagine, and achieve success. They create intentional positive impact on themselves and their communities, forging a path that is uniquely theirs.

A Parent’s Perspective

“I was attracted by the idea that St. Anne’sBelfield continually revisits its approach to educating children based on current research and best practices. We also wanted a school that was safe, had a strong community, and would enable my daughter to find her strengths academically and socially. In one year her confidence and the expectations she holds of herself have grown dramatically. She’s now challenging herself and taking on leadership roles that she never would have been able to at her old school.”

— James Carter, P. ’26

What Advice Do You Have for New Saints?

“Talk to your teachers. They are there for you and they want to get to know you. I also recommend getting involved in as many things as possible and taking advantage of as many opportunities as the school gives you. The musical was one of my favorite things. I led two clubs, and I also did Model UN. And I’d also advise talking to lots of types of students. Don’t sit at the same lunch table every day because everyone here is pretty much willing to talk to anyone.”

— Isabel H. ’23

“For every interest you would like to explore more deeply, there is a dedicated faculty member who says ‘let’s dive in.’ For that encouragement, I will always be thankful.”

— Jack D. ’23

Our mission:

Statement on Inclusive Excellence

St. Anne’s-Belfield School believes that exemplary citizenship and visionary leadership are best nurtured in a welcoming School community based on equity, inclusivity, and the pursuit of excellence. Our School provides a well-balanced educational experience that affirms the richness and diversity of humanity, creates an expectation of belonging based on shared human dignity, and encourages a desire to learn about and from each other.

Our core purpose is to inspire and prepare the next generation of exemplary citizens and visionary leaders.

— Mary Hyde DuVal, Founding Headmistress

“We wish our students to become strong in body, broad of mind, tender of heart, responsive in soul.”

Meet the Division Head

Beth Miller, P. ’22 & ’25

Greetings! Whether you’re looking at our day or our boarding program, we know your child’s education matters enormously to you. As a parent of two Saints, I believe deeply in fostering student agency. We believe that students are at their best when they are empowered to shape their learning journey, while receiving consistent encouragement and support to challenge themselves academically. We also believe that stepping out of our comfort zones allows us to become better, more engaged, and

more empathetic citizens. As a Pre-School through Grade 12 global school community, we provide our students firm roots through social interactions, community service, leadership opportunities, and a physically-active lifestyle. And those roots are what ultimately enable our students to spread their wings, finding success at college and beyond. We’re excited about the possibility of partnering together at our School.

The Saints Community

At St. Anne’s-Belfield School, we are first and foremost an academic community. Our community reaches beyond the classroom to build strong, intentional relationships with the whole family.

Highlights

60+ Parents’ Association positions throughout the School

86 parent/guardian volunteers

30 families who volunteer with the Residential Life Neighbors program

Chapel

Chapel has existed at St. Anne’s-Belfield since our founding in 1910. While today’s Chapel is non-denominational, it remains one of the sacred traditions of the School. These provide time for students and faculty to gather in fellowship and reflect on what it means to be a member of a larger community. Upper School students generally lead Chapel as musicians and speakers.

Parent/Guardian Partnership Meetings

Our Parent/Guardian Partnership Meetings, the first of which is prior to the start of school, enable faculty and family caregivers to form an important connection between home and School life. You will meet with your student’s advisor, who will remain the same all years of your student’s time at St. Anne’sBelfield.

Interaction Across Grade Levels

From their first day of school through the time they are initiated into our expansive, global alumni network, all Saints know they are part of a caring and vibrant community. With students from age 2 to Grade 12 and representing 20 countries, your student will have the opportunity to interact with students of all ages and backgrounds through programs like Grade Level Experiences and volunteering.

The Lourie Learning Center

Our newly-renovated Lourie Learning Center (LLC) inside the historic Randolph Hall is more than a hightech space for classrooms. The light-filled, expansive center — with flexible space for lectures and open mic nights, a recording studio, makerspace, and food lab — offers opportunities for the entire PS – 12 day and boarding community to gather on evenings and weekends.

Parent/Guardian Programming

Wednesday Wellness Webinars connect child and teen development experts to our parents and guardians; Curriculum Nights give parents and guardians insight into our Upper School curriculum; and monthly coffee gatherings with the head of the Upper School focus on aspects of our program.

The Parents’ Association

During a time when teens naturally want to be more independent from their parents, the Parents’ Association (PA) provides many opportunities for families to become involved with the School. Parents and guardians hold roles as grade level reps, gather for informal coffees, and serve at special events, concession stands, and on school-level committees.

Community Events

Cheer on our Saints athletes, bring the family to an arts performance, attend a lecture, come decked in maroon for our Fall Family Festival or Maroon & White Party, roll up your sleeves and volunteer alongside a local organization during Saints Serve Saturday — the School community loves to come together.

The Advantage of a Day-Boarding School

Our PS – 12 community is a rich tapestry of backgrounds, perspectives, and life stories from around the globe. Programs like Residential Life Neighbors give boarding students a warm taste of home while providing PS – 12 families the chance to get to know a residential student on a deeper level. And all of our students reap the benefits of vibrant, diverse discussions both inside and outside the classroom. This dynamic exchange not only fosters a deeper understanding of the world but also nurtures the development of globally-conscious citizens.

Distinctive Academics

AP Scholars 2022-23

AP Scholars: 34 | AP Scholars with Honor: 12

AP Scholars with Distinction: 20 | AP National Scholars: 2

Class of 2023 SAT and ACT Scores

SAT scores: mean: 1304

mid-50% range: 1200 – 1440

ACT scores: composite score: 30 mid-50% range: 27 – 33

Graduation Requirements

Humanities: English — 4 years

Humanities: History — 3 years

World Languages — Third level of the same language

Science (including Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) — 3 years

Mathematics — 3 years

Visual or Performing Arts (4-year students) —

1 year

Physical Activity — See Curriculum Guide

Advanced Senior Seminar — 1 year

Life Skills — 1 term

Study Skills — 1 term

Community Service — 60 hours

Senior Internship — 35 hours

Our school year is divided into six modular terms. Learn more by scanning this QR code with your phone camera

Humanities

Students explore a rich cultural canon of words and images and develop an appreciation for how the humanities can enrich and deepen their sense of themselves, their community, and their world. This reading- and writing-intensive program integrates English, history, and religion into courses across the humanities disciplines that emphasize inquiry in these disciplines as well as in arts, architecture, and philosophy.

Research

To promote intellectual rigor, students at St. Anne’s-Belfield engage in research at some point over the course of their high school career. Each year, approximately 45% of our student body is involved in an intensive research project. All Grade 11 students undertake a major research paper. Students in good academic standing in Grades 10 – 12 who either exhaust the course offerings within a given department or wish to pursue a particular idea or topic in significant depth may undertake an Independent Study or a Capstone Thesis.

Advisory

Upon entering the Upper School, each student is assigned an advisor. The advisor is the faculty member who is assigned the responsibility for monitoring a student’s academic and social development during the student’s year at the School. Students gather in advisory group meetings, and advisors meet with advisees on an individual basis. Students will stay with the same advisor throughout their time in the Upper School.

Computer Science

Using source material typical of undergraduate university courses, students in the CS program spend three years creating web applications, diving into artificial intelligence, conducting algorithmic analysis, and learning Agile engineering methods.

Capstone Thesis

The Capstone Thesis allows students an opportunity to pursue a particular idea or topic in significant depth. Meeting weekly with a faculty mentor, students are expected to lead the entire yearlong experience of independent, extracurricular study, committing between 3 – 5 hours per week to their research. Students make presentations to the Upper School community at the annual Capstone Symposium in January. In the spring, Capstone students give another formal oral presentation and submit a 10 – 15 page academic paper to the Capstone Committee. Students who have completed AP Seminar in their junior year may elect to designate their Capstone project an AP Research project.

The Region’s Only AP Capstone™ School

AP Capstone is a diploma program based on two yearlong courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. From the College Board, “these courses develop students’ skills in research, analysis, evidence-based arguments, collaboration, writing, and presenting.” Students who complete the program can earn one of two different AP Capstone awards. St. Anne’sBelfield is one of only 15% of Virginia public and private high schools to offer an AP Capstone, and is the only school in Charlottesville/Albemarle to offer this highly-valued distinction.

Senior Seminars

Each senior is required to enroll in and pass one Senior Seminar. Many seniors elect to take two seminars. Students collaborate with faculty and experts in the field in a yearlong experience that emphasizes the exploration of multiple perspectives, research, and critical thinking. The outcome is the creation of one or more works that contribute to the betterment of the field of study and the St. Anne’s-Belfield community. Below are some recent examples.

Environmental Studies

Students in the Environmental Studies Advanced Senior Seminar study, analyze, and gather data on the federallyendangered James River spinymussel. We are the only high school in the nation with a federal license to work in consultation with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Biotechnology and Ethics

Student researchers enrolled in our Biotechnology and Ethics Advanced Senior Seminar are developing an environmental DNA sequence to find new populations of endangered species in our ecosystem. Integrating techniques from the fields of biology, biotechnology, and computer science, students work hand-in-hand with academic experts and faculty to answer novel questions about zebrafish, a model organism for scientific research.

Other Examples

21st Century Citizenship

Entrepreneurship

Comparative Religion: Philosophies of the East & West

State-Building & Post-Colonial Societies

Advanced Theatre Arts: Production and Design

Curricular Progression

GRADE 9

GRADE 10

GRADE 11

GRADE 12

Visual & Performing Arts: Concert Choir; Saints Chorale*; Philharmonic Strings; Counterpoints*; Music Theory; AP Music Theory; Theatre Arts; Drawing & 2D Design; Painting & 2D Design; Ceramics; Digital Media Arts

Freshman Study Skills

Freshman Life Skills

Computer Science Principles**

* Indicates “earned honors” credit

Life Skills (New Students)

Computer Science Principles** Honors Data Structures

Computer Science Principles**

Honors Data Structures

Honors Software Engineering Economics

These courses offer students the opportunity to push their learning beyond the standards of the core curriculum. Students who choose to pursue earned-honors will complete differentiated assignments and assessments and be held to heightened expectations. Those students who meet honors expectations over the course of the year earn a 0.5 GPA boost for the final grade.

** Indicates “earned AP” credit

These courses are offered as an overlay to an existing course. Students who choose to pursue Advanced Placement credit will complete differentiated assignments and assessments. Work will be evaluated based on standards determined by the College Board. Those students who meet AP expectations over the course of the year earn 0.5 GPA boost for the final grade.

Please note: Electives change from year to year. Please consult the Upper School Curriculum Guide for this year’s courses.

Computer Science Principles**

Honors Data Structures

Honors Software Engineering Economics

Humanities Courses

Dramatic Literature

Literary Works in Cinematic Form

Contemporary Novel Literature of the Wild

Senior Seminars

21st Century Citizenship**

BioTechnology & Ethics**

Environmental Studies & Research**

Comparative Religion**

Upper School Schedule

Scan this QR code to learn more about our modular schedule

Arts

Arts

Visual Arts

• Drawing Foundations

• Drawing Architecture

• Drawing the Figure

• Drawing Still Life

• Painting Foundations

• Painting and Collage

• Painting Nature

• Painting Objects

• Portfolio in Drawing, Painting, and Two-Dimensional Design

• Ceramics Foundations

• Ceramics Wheel Throwing

• Ceramics Handbuilding

• Ceramics Sculptural

• Portfolio: Ceramics

• Foundations of Digital Media Arts

• Photography in the Community and Photojournalism

• Typography and Poster Design

• Identity Design

• Continuing Studies: Photography and Digital Media Arts

• Portfolio: Photography and Digital Media Arts

Performing Arts

• Concert Choir

• Saints Chorale

• Philharmonic Strings

• Counterpoints

• Introduction to Strings

• Music Theory

• AP Music Theory

• Continuing Studies in Music Theory

• Theatre Arts and Film Foundations

• Acting for the Stage

• Acting for the Screen

• Continuing Studies in Theatre and Film

• Continuing Studies in Theatre

Arts: Dramatic Literature and Writing

• Audio Engineering

Extracurricular Arts

• Wearable Arts Runway Show

Saints Athletics

2023-24 Competitive Teams

Boys

Fall

Varsity Football

JV Football

7 & 8 Football

Varsity Cross Country

7 & 8 Cross Country

Varsity Soccer

JV Soccer

7 & 8 Soccer

Winter

Varsity Basketball

JV Basketball

7 & 8 Basketball

Varsity Squash (co-ed)

JV Squash (co-ed)

7 & 8 Squash (co-ed)

Varsity Swimming

Varsity Diving

Spring

Varsity Lacrosse

JV Lacrosse

7 & 8 Lacrosse

Varsity Tennis

JV Tennis

Varsity Golf (co-ed)

Varsity Baseball

JV Baseball

7 & 8 Baseball

Varsity Track

7 & 8 Track

Girls

Fall

Varsity Field Hockey

JV Field Hockey

7 & 8 Field Hockey

Varsity Cross Country

7 & 8 Cross Country

Varsity Volleyball

JV Volleyball

7 & 8 Volleyball

Varsity Tennis

JV Tennis

Winter

Varsity Basketball

JV Basketball

7 & 8 Basketball

Varsity Squash (co-ed)

JV Squash (co-ed)

7 & 8 Squash (co-ed)

Varsity Swimming

Varsity Diving

Spring

Varsity Lacrosse

JV Lacrosse

7 & 8 Lacrosse

Varsity Soccer

JV Soccer

7 & 8 Soccer

Varsity Golf (co-ed)

Varsity Track

7 & 8 Track

Non-Competitive Options

Strength & Conditioning (MS)

Fitness (US)

Yoga (US)

Running Club (US)

Bike Club (US)

Squash (MS)

MS — Middle School, Grades 7 & 8

Photo by Steve Morris, P. ’26 @PFunkMorris

At A Glance St. Anne’s-Belfield School

located in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, VA

55 acres of land between two campuses

around the corner from University of Virginia

2 hours from Dulles International Airport (IAD) in DC

Upper School

343 Upper School students

10 average advisory size

9 countries and 7 states represented in the Residential Life program

20 countries represented in the PS – 12 student body

100% students complete an internship prior to graduation

Quick Facts

4,841 living alums in 49 countries

78% faculty have advanced degrees

52% Class of 2023 enrolled in a very selective college (<25% acceptance rate)

54 competitive sports teams

21 Advanced Placement (AP) exams offered on campus

631 family households

937 students age 2 – Grade 12

46 zip codes represented in the day student body

90% Grades 9 – 12 students appear on or behind the stage each year

2024 Deadlines for 9 – 12

Jan. 11: Priority Financial Aid Application Deadline

Round 1

Jan. 24: Application Deadline

Feb. 12: Admission Decisions Released

Feb. 26: Enrollment Agreement and Deposit Due

Round 2

March 15: Application Deadline*

March 28: Admission Decisions Released

April 11: Enrollment Agreement and Deposit Due

Rolling Admission

April 22: Rolling Admission Begins*

*Please note space in some grades may already be limited by this date.

Next Steps

• Submit an inquiry

• Take an Upper School tour!

•

• Complete your application

The School admits qualified students of any race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, sex, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, or any status protected by applicable law, and extends to them all the privilege to participate in the educational programs generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, or any status protected by applicable law in the administration of its admission or its educational programs.