Upper School | Academics | Montrose School | Medfield, MA

The Upper School Difference

Montrose students build a strong core of academic strength through our rich liberal arts curriculum, studying carefully curated texts that reflect the best of ancient wisdom and modern research, not the latest trends.

Our signature character and leadership program is infused into every aspect of our curriculum. Students graduate with the good habits of mind, heart and character needed to thrive in college and beyond.




 

“Montrose encourages students not only to think but also reflect, a skill that is absolutely necessary in college. This type of preparation at the high school level is rare.”  
Susan Migliorisi, Boston College Admission department

 


 

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explore our Upper school offerings

9th grade

9th Grade Character Development Theme: Civic Friendship

9th Grade Essential Question: Given that friendship is essential to individual and community flourishing, how can we cultivate a broad spirit of friendship, marked by generosity, curiosity and affection for others?

9th Grade Course Map:

  • English: Genres of Literature (H1/H2). Sample texts include: Great Expectations (Dickens),  The Odyssey (Homer)
  • History: Western Civilization (H1/H2)
  • Math: Options include Geometry (CP or H), Algebra II (H), and Introduction to Calculus
  • Science: Biology (CP or H)
  • Computer Science: Computer Science Principles (AP)
  • Classical & World Languages: Options include Latin II, French I and Spanish I
  • Theology: Tracing God's Plan Through Salvation History
  • Electives: Options include Drawing, PE, Handbells, Theater Tech, Acting

9th Grade Signature Program: Freshman Forum Design Thinking Workshop at Bryant University

10th grade

10th Grade Character Development Theme: Solidarity in Service to Others

10th Grade Essential Question: Given that people are our brothers and sisters in a shared humanity, how can we contribute to others' good, especially those in need?

10th Grade Course Map:

  • English: British Literature (H1/H2). Sample texts include: Pride & Prejudice (Austen), The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare)
  • History: European History (H or AP)
  • Math: Options include Algebra II (CP or H) and Accelerated Pre-Calculus
  • Science: Options include Chemistry (CP or H) and Biology (AP)
  • Computer Science: Computer Science Principles (AP)
  • Classical & World Languages: Options include Latin III, French II and Spanish II'
  • Theology: Discovering the Fullness of Human Dignity
  • Electives: Options include Drawing, Painting, Handbells, Chorus, Modern Fitness, American Sign Language 1, Theater Tech and Acting 

10th Grade Signature Programs: Sophomore Symposium; service projects and activities throughout the year focused on the Corporal Works of Mercy

11th grade

11th Grade Character Development Theme: Courageous Dialogue & Citizenship

11th Grade Essential Question: How can we create a school community that fosters courage to stand up for our convictions while remaining open to understanding and growing from dialogue with others, in ways that build a more flourishing civic culture?

11th Grade Course Map:

  • English: Language & Composition (AP), American Literature (H). Sample texts include: The Scarlet Letter (Hawthorne), Macbeth (Shakespeare)
  • History: US History ( H or AP)
  • Math: Options include Calculus AB (AP), Calculus BC (AP), Advanced PreCalculus, PreCalculus (H), Precalculus: Functions, Statistics & Trigonometry (CP)
  • Science: Options include Physics 1 (AP), Physics (H), Physics (CP), Chemistry (AP)
  • Classical & World Languages: Options include Latin IV (CP or H). French III (CP or H), Spanish III (CP or H)
  • Philosophy:  Embracing Big Questions for Human Flourishing, Part I
  • Electives: Options include Drawing, Painting, Art Portfolio (H), Renaissance Studio Art, Handbells, Chorus, Modern Fitness, American Sign Language 1 and Theater Design & Production

11th Grade Signature Programs: Junior Journey; class trip designed by students reflecting together on the needs of the class

12th grade

12th Grade Character Development Theme: The Feminine Genius in Leadership to Engage the World

12th Grade Essential Question: How can we cultivate vision, collaboration, and a spirit of service to effectively lead others to transform our world in small and large ways?

12th Grade Course Map:

  • English: Literature & Composition (AP), Modern Literature (H). Sample texts include: Purgatorio (Dante), Hamlet (Shakespeare)
  • History: US Government & Politics (AP), US Citizenship in a Global Context (H)
  • Math: Options include Multivariable Calculus, Calculus BC (AP) Calculus AB (AP), Statistics (SP, H or AP)
  • Science: Options include Biology (AP), Chemistry (AP), Anatomy & Physiology (CP or H), Dual-enrollment Calculus-based Physics with Bridgewater State University
  • Computer Science: Computer Science A (AP), Computer Science Principles (AP)
  • Classical & World Languages: Latin (AP), French Language & Culture (AP), Spanish Language & Culture (AP), Spanish IV (H)
  • Theology & Philosophy: Capstone: Big Questions for Human Flourishing, Part II
  • Electives: Elements of Design: Science & Art, Studio Art (AP) - 2D Design, Handbells, Chorus, Modern Fitness, American Sign Language 1, Theater Tech and Acting

12th Grade Signature Programs: Senior Summit leadership symposium; Senior Capstone Speaker Series

 

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The Senior Capstone

Our transformational education culminates with a project unique to Montrose: the Capstone. Drawing on their study of philosophy and Catholic Social Teaching, seniors choose and research a current social challenge. Each senior presents her findings and proposes realistic solutions in a 20-page paper or 20-minute presentation, before standing for a mini-thesis deense to a panel of reviewers. 

Admission representatives from colleges like Bowdoin, MIT, Wellesley and Northeastern have cited the Montrose Capstone project as impressive. 

Elizabeth Ling '18

In her Senior Capstone, Elizabeth Ling '18 discusses self-reflection, communication, and the role of technology in the development of empathy.

Bella Rinaldi '19

Bella Rinaldi '19 tackles the question of the NFL's approach to concussion prevention and awareness in her Senior Capstone presentation.

Nora Cahill '19

Nora Cahill '19 shares her research on gender disparity in the American justice system and her proposals for how to solve it in her Senior Capstone presentation.

 

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

In order to graduate, Montrose students must complete a full senior year, earn a minimum of 24 upper school credits, and meet the following distribution requirements:

  • English – 4 credits
  • History – 3 credits
  • Mathematics – 4 credits
  • Science – 3 credits (must include Biology, Chemistry and Physics)
  • Language -– 3 credits
  • Theology/Philosophy – 4 credits
  • Electives – 1.5 credits (beginning with the class of 2027, .75 credits in the Fine or Performing Arts)
  • Physical Education – 0.25 credits

Students are strongly encourage to elect a fourth year of study in all major subject areas. 


Montrose offers 17 AP classes, plus classes that go beyond AP.

AP Biology AP English Language & Composition
AP Physics 1 AP English Literature & Composition
AP Chemistry AP U.S. Government and Politics
Dual-enrollment Physics with Bridgwater State University AP Comparative Politics
AP Calculus AB AP U.S. History
AP Calculus BC AP European History
Multivariable Calculus AP Spanish Language & Culture
AP Statistics AP French Language & Culture
AP Computer Science A College-level Philosophy
AP Computer Science Principles AP Studio Art: 2D Design
Nationally-recognized Character & Leadership Program integrated into every aspect of the curriculum.   

 

Inquire How to Apply

 

Jessica (Oliver) Chastek '94

 "Montrose provided me with invaluable academic and intellectual skills that allowed me to flourish and excel in college.  Having developed these essential skills in high school, I was able to delve more deeply into complex subjects and achieve greater academic success in college — which in turn enabled me to earn a full ride to graduate school."

Departments and Courses

Upper school mathematics

The mission of the Mathematics Department at Montrose School is to provide for all students the opportunity and support necessary for them to learn significant mathematics with depth and understanding; to help students make, refine and explore conjectures on the basis of evidence and use a variety of reasoning and proof techniques to confirm or disprove those conjectures; to assist students in becoming flexible and resourceful problem solvers; to teach them to utilize knowledge of a variety of mathematical topics; to approach problems from different mathematical perspectives and represent the mathematics in different ways; and to equip students to communicate their mathematical ideas and results both orally and in writing.

9th Grade: Geometry (CP or H), Algebra II (H)

10th Grade: Algebra II (CP or H), Pre-Calculus (H), Accelerated Pre-Calculus (H)

11th Grade: Accelerated Pre-Calculus (H), Pre-Calculus (H), Calculus AB (AP), Calculus BC (AP), Pre-Calculus: Functions, Statistics & Trigonometry (CP)

12th Grade: Calculus BC (AP), Calculus AB (AP), Statistics (CP, H or AP). Calculus (H), Multivariable Calculus (AP-level)

upper school science

The mission of the Science Department is to encourage all students to develop the skills of logical inquiry and investigation; ensure that individual students learn the foundations of science necessary for success in college and in life; expose students to technological excellence in the classroom; and to promote in them reflection about the origins and meaning of human life.

9th Grade: Biology (CP or H), Computer Science Principles (AP or H)

10th Grade: Chemistry (CP or H), Biology (AP), Computer Science Principles (AP or H)

11th Grade: Physics I (AP), Physics (CP or H), Chemistry (AP), Computer Science A (AP), Computer Science Principles (AP or H)

12th Grade: Biology (AP), Chemistry (AP), Dual Enrollment Physics (College level), Anatomy & Physiology (CP or H), Computer Science A (AP), Computer Science Principles (AP or H)

upper school English

The mission of the English Department at Montrose School is to teach students the fundamentals of the English language as the basis for clear expression; to encourage in them confidence, clarity and depth in both oral and written communication; to promote self-reflection and creativity through the writing process; to assist students in developing the skills necessary for insightful literary analysis; to reinforce the character component of the school’s mission through the study of literature; to cultivate in young women an appreciation for, and love of, literature.

9th Grade: Genres of Literature (H1/H2)

10th Grade: British Literature (H1/H2)

11th Grade: Language & Composition (AP), American Literature (H)

12th Grade: Literature & Composition (AP), Modern Literature (H)

upper school history

The goals of the History Department at Montrose School are to impart to students a certain body of factual and conceptual knowledge that is valuable in itself and as a background to understanding the present; to nurture in students a respect for the past; to investigate history through the humanities, particularly art, philosophy and literature, as a means to understanding the unity of human endeavor; to strengthen character through the study of and reflection on the lives and deeds of historical figures.

9th Grade: Western Civilization (H1/H2)

10th Grade: European History (H or AP)

11th Grade: US History (H or AP)

12th Grade: US Government & Politics (AP), US Citizenship in a Global Context (H)

Upper school theology & philosophy

At Montrose, we are committed to engaging our students with the beauty, intelligence, and fullness of the Catholic faith as revealed by the person of Jesus Christ. This academic presentation of the teaching of the Catholic Church is a valuable tool for students of all faith backgrounds to better understand the intellectual, moral and spiritual foundations of the classical Western civilization. Courses in Religion and Theology seek to help students learn what God has revealed of Himself, to know this revelation both through the use of their natural reason and through faith, and thereby to understand that faith and reason complement rather than contradict each other. Religion and Theology classes have regularly scheduled visits to the chapel and the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Penance.

9th Grade: Theology 9: Encountering Christ and Sacramental Life

10th Grade: Theology 10: Discovering the Fullness of Human Dignity

11th Grade: Theology/Philosophy 11: Embracing Big Questions for Human Flourishing Part I

12th Grade: Theology/Philosophy Capstone: Embracing Big Questions for Human Flourishing Part II

upper school classical & world languages

The Classical and World Languages Department at Montrose School seeks to widen the perspective of our students’ on our global community by exposing them to different cultures and languages. Whether their learning be focused on the language, history and culture of the Ancient world, or on the modern Spanish-speaking or Francophone communities, all students are encouraged to become effective communicators and culturally sensitive women of faith, character, and vision, to participate constructively in the 21st Century.

9th Grade: Latin II, French I, Spanish I

10th Grade: Latin III, French II (CP or H), Spanish II (CP or H)

11th Grade: Latin IV (CP or H), French III (CP or H), Spanish III (CP or H)

12th Grade: Latin (AP), French Language & Culture (AP), French IV (H), Spanish Language & Culture (AP), Spanish IV (H)

upper school fine arts

The mission of the Fine Arts Department at Montrose School is to enrich and support each student’s learning experience at Montrose School by providing unique opportunities for personal and intellectual development and self-expression through the study of Music, Drama, and the Visual Arts. Through creative exploration, the Fine Arts teach skills associated with imagination and invention and can lead students to higher levels of abstract thought. The department seeks fully to engage each student intellectually, emotionally, and physically, with the understanding that the Fine Arts are essential to the enlightened life and mind of the individual.

 

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