Within the classes offered in the Upper School, each student selects from various electives and required courses to explore throughout the year, ranging from Graphic Design to Advanced Debate. For ninth graders and sophomores, the class choices are limited by a set of required courses. However, for juniors and seniors, there is more freedom to choose courses.

Ninth grader Olivia Fox is enrolled in Beginning Debate and Photography in addition to core classes.

“Well, in [Photography], we mostly have free time to just take pictures and wander on [campus]. But then outside of class, we actually have to go find locations and work on composition. ” Fox said. She enjoys Photography because of the creation of mini portfolios.

“The homework is actually pretty good. It’s mostly because in class, we get a worksheet, and explanations are only [given when] you ask specifically,” Fox said, “so it can be a little more difficult to understand the stuff.”

Sophomore Zack Berchenko is enrolled in Advanced (Adv.) Programming and Adv. Mechanics with Calculus in addition to the sophomore core classes.

“I’d say one of my favorite classes is certainly Adv. Mechanics because the teacher there is very nice, and some of my classmates make it more exciting, even though it is difficult,” Berchenko said. “I’m doing the University of Minnesota Talented Youth Math Program “UMTYMP” on Wednesdays, fencing club on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and then I’m also doing Math Team.”

Berchenko finds Adv. Mechanics with Calculus homework is difficult to keep up with, as he participates in several after-school activities, from academics to sports, and tries to be social while balancing academics.

“I hope to make some new friends,” said Berchenko, “and learn a lot of new materials successfully and get good grades.”

Junior Trevor Hou is enrolled in Spanish IV and U.S. History in addition to Writing Sem: Rhetoric and Grammar, Honors Chemistry, Data Science, Adv. Probability and Statistics I, and Calculus C.

“Chemistry is one of the most tedious classes. But I really like my Chemistry class,” said Hou. He finds the class difficult due to the homework.

“Calc[ulus] is a relatively light class while Writing Seminar is more rigorous.”

He said Spanish is mostly memorization, while Data Science is solving problems.

Even with the difficulty of classes, it is seen that they can find what they enjoy through socializing or the friendly nature of their class.