Upper School (9–12)

Preparing Students to Take Charge of Their Futures

Upper School offers a strong academic program and a unique culture of learning. Here students can explore what they love and find the support needed to take risks: intellectually, creatively, and athletically.

CDS Upper School is known for its strong academic program and unique culture of learning.

Students select from a wide variety of traditional college preparatory, honors, and AP courses, as well as numerous semester elective courses. Additionally, students have at least one open period each day when they can work with peers, seek extra help from teachers, conduct independent or collaborative research, or engage in off-campus internships. Standardized testing, while important, is not at the forefront of our teaching; engaging students intellectually by stimulating their creativity and curiosity is preeminent. Visitors to Upper School regularly comment about our vibrant, happy students; they are relaxed but intellectually engaged, striving to do their best, not to outdo their peers. We believe that a culture of trust, respect, and close faculty/student relationships creates an atmosphere of safety and personal well-being, and this is critical to student academic success and personal growth. Upper School is first and foremost a place where it is safe to be yourself—to stretch and grow. Our students work hard. Here they can explore what they love and find the support needed to take risks: intellectually, creatively, athletically. Our graduates must be prepared to thrive in an increasingly complex and interdependent global environment. We are preparing students with the skills and mindset to take charge of their futures, and they are finding great success.

Upper School Tour

“A lot of physics is counter-intuitive, so it is important for students to not only be presented with the laws but also with how the laws are applied.”

Upper School students take an in-depth look at Newton's-Laws.

Extracurricular Clubs and Groups

Upper School Clubs & Groups

Upper School Clubs & Groups

Ambassadors – Serve as guides, buddies, spokespersons, and resources for new prospective students and families.

Black Student Union – This group serves as a forum for communication between students and faculty, with an aim to advocate the needs of students at CDS while empowering, teaching, discussing and exploring the Black experience.

Chemistry Club – Participants share their love of science, exploring matter and chemical reactions beyond the classroom.

Climate Club – Raises awareness for climate change and engages in meaningful discussion/conversation around this important issue, holding events and educational workshops throughout the year.

Debate Team – Trains and competes against other schools in multiple speech and debate categories like universal basic income and regulating cryptocurrency.

Habitat for Humanity – Alongside other schools, students help with both fundraising and Habitat builds, earning volunteer service hours along the way.

Honor Council – Elected members serve to uphold the Honor Code in the CDS community.

French Club – Discusses novels, movies, and other topics in French in order to gain a better understanding of French culture and language in a relaxed atmosphere.

GSA – Allows those who identify as LGBTQIA+ or those who support/know those who identify as LGBTQIA+ to discuss and share experiences.

Investment Club – Gain practical knowledge and experience in making high level, strategic decisions in the world of finance and investment while connecting with professionals in the field.

Math Club – Learns, trains, and competes regionally with math teams of all skill levels from other schools.

Newspaper – Participants work together in various roles to produce The Scratching Post, Carolina Day's Upper School digital newspaper.

Ping Pong Club – Participants gather together to play tabletop ping pong.

Ski/Snowboard Club – Trains and competes against other schools during the winter season.

Society of Literature, Art, Music, and Media (SLAMM) – Shares the magic of the written word with poetry and prose, producing a bound collection of student work in the spring each year.

Sports Management Club – Interested in a career in sports management, the behind the scenes of athletics? This is the club for you. Any grade 9-12 students can participate, athletes and non-athletes alike. This is the opportunity for anyone who has an interest in helping out a team or the athletics department throughout the year. Make important decisions on your school’s spirit and representation in athletics, all while collecting volunteer hours.

Student Government – Elected representatives plan activities, promote school spirit, and support community service and school-based cultural events.

Trivia Club – Club members test their knowledge in everything from pop culture to famous historical figures to global current events.

Yearbook – Participants work together in various roles to produce The Silhouette, Carolina Day's PreK–12 yearbook.

You Belong Advisory Board – Discusses issues that are pertinent to adults and teens alike, and puts forth school-wide awareness programs for local and national issues.

*Students may start new clubs each year if they obtain faculty sponsorship and have at least four members.

Student Work Highlights

Literary Magazine

Carolina Day School's SLAMM (Society of Literature, Art, Music, and Media) publishes an annual literary magazine, a compilation of Upper School students' poetry, prose, art, and music. Read this year's magazine here.

Honors Papers

Honors Papers recognizes exemplary academic writing across Upper School disciplines.

Bio-social Ethics and Motives (BEAM)

A Blended Bioethics and Humanities Course

Taught by science teacher Dora Nelson and English teacher Susan White, BEAM is an interdisciplinary semester course that explores the relationship between scientific engagement and social responsibility—investigating what is ethical and just (based upon the four principles of bioethics) in terms of life rights, environmental issues, biological concepts, social constructs, and medical rights. Learn more about the course and explore our students’ work in the Virtual Civic Engagement Museum, created by the Carolina Day School students of Biosocial Ethics and Motives.

BEAM Virtual Civic Engagement Museum

Upper School (9–12)