Upper School

Gill's Upper School is a place where all students are deeply engaged, both in the classroom and through co-curricular activities.
 
We offer rigorous academic coursework, including AP and honors classes, and our teachers encourage students to continually challenge themselves academically. Faculty offer the support to enable students to thrive. That balance allows our students to offer their best work, grow in confidence, and act with integrity.

We are committed to being an engaging, inclusive, and supportive community. We know and value one another and respect the contributions that each person brings to campus. Our rich and varied academic program prepares students for top-tier colleges and universities, while still allowing for a balanced experience—with room to explore and discover new interests.

Spring Unit Program

A signature program for nearly 50 years, the Spring Unit Program provides two-week experiential learning opportunities each May, including immersive study, field work, and regional and international travel opportunities.

Learn More

Student Life

Promoting the importance of co-curricular education, GSB provides Upper School students with exceptional athletic, fine and performing arts experiences,  community service, and leadership opportunities.

Learn More

Clubs & Activities

Opportunities abound for students to express themselves through the arts, participating in annual events and extended day programs, competing and learning via a wealth of extracurricular activities, and much more.

Learn More

Upper School GSB Students

Athletics

Gill St. Bernard's has a long and proud tradition of excellence in high school sports.

Learn More

The Arts

Our Performing and Visual Arts Programs help students discover their passions and more about themselves.

Learn More

Our Campus

Discover the magic, wonder, and possibilities that exist across our 208-acre campus.

Learn More

Recent Upper School News

Upper School Director Dr. Joel Coleman

Dr. Coleman has served for decades as a teacher, coach, mentor, and administrator in independent schools along the Atlantic seaboard.

He has significant experience in school curriculum evaluation, faculty growth models, and the development and implementation of standards for teaching excellence.  More importantly, he has mentored countless students, faculty, and families through daily triumphs and life-long challenges.  He appreciates our communal duty to ensure that academic excellence is the bedrock of a Gill St. Bernard’s education. He believes that a school’s mission is a powerful agent for change in the lives of our families and our communities, and he has found a home at GSB because the school acts in accordance with its core values.  He also is a proud GSB parent and ardent supporter of our teams and programs.

Teacher Spotlight: Ned Lincoln

As the Farm Manager for Home Winds Farm, Ned’s passion for sustainability is palpable in the fields, inside the barn, on the tractor, and in the classroom. 

Meet Ned

Explore Our Upper School Curriculum

Filter By Subject

Filter By Grade Level

Acting Advanced

Building on the concepts of Acting I and Acting II, this semester-long course offers more in-depth training in the areas of emotion, character development, and motivation.

Read More about Acting Advanced
Advanced Topics in Computer Science

This is an advanced course in programming application and computer science intended for students who have completed AP Computer Science A and would like to explore the subject in greater detail.

Read More about Advanced Topics in Computer Science
Algebra I

A full-year course, Algebra I, is an introductory level math course and is a prerequisite for Geometry.

Read More about Algebra I
Anatomy and Physiology

In this semester course, students study the anatomy (structure) and the physiology (function) of body systems in humans and other animals.

Read More about Anatomy and Physiology
AP 2-D Art and Design

AP 2-D Art and Design is a yearlong course that is not based on a written exam; instead, students submit portfolios for evaluation in early May.

Read More about AP 2-D Art and Design
AP Art History

The AP Art History course welcomes students into the global art world to engage with its forms and content as they research, discuss, read, and write about art, artists, art making, and responses to and interpretations of art.

Read More about AP Art History
AP Calculus AB

This course follows the syllabus for the AP exam in Calculus AB. As such, it is a rigorous, demanding course requiring a strong foundation in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and analytic geometry.

Read More about AP Calculus AB
AP Chemistry

This course is the equivalent of a first-year college chemistry course; it covers materials in-depth and provides a deeper consideration of both the theoretical and mathematical analysis of topics.

Read More about AP Chemistry
AP Drawing

AP Drawing is a course designed for the serious art student who is interested in an intensive investigation of art concepts, media, and techniques after taking an introductory level art course, Drawing and Painting and Honors Portfolio.

Read More about AP Drawing
AP Latin

AP Latin concentrates on the translation, analysis, and interpretation of Vergil’s epic poem, the Aeneid, and Caesar’s commentaries, De Bello Gallico.

Read More about AP Latin
AP Microeconomics

This course provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to understand and analyze critical topics in microeconomics.

Read More about AP Microeconomics
AP Music Theory

This yearlong course takes advanced musicians with existing knowledge of music theory through the equivalent of a first-year college music theory class.

Read More about AP Music Theory
AP Physics I

This course is a response to the format changes made by the College Board in 2014, and it is based on the “Six Big Ideas,” or core principles identified by the College Board.

Read More about AP Physics I
AP Physics II

This course follows the first-year AP Physics course and requires many of the same skills: mathematical competence, organization, motivation, and strong problem-solving abilities.

Read More about AP Physics II
AP Spanish Language and Culture

This rigorous and challenging course emphasizes the use of authentic Spanish for active communication, allowing students to reach advanced levels in their oral, aural, reading, and writing skills. Students engage in conversation by using advanced grammatical structures, literary analysis, cultural studies, and in-depth discussions of current events around the world.

Read More about AP Spanish Language and Culture
AP Statistics

The AP Statistics course introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data.

Read More about AP Statistics
Biology Honors

Topics covered in this fast-paced course include ecology, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, Mendelian and non-Mendelian genetics, bioethics, evolution, diversity of life, and animal and human anatomy, and physiology.

Read More about Biology Honors
Ceramics Advanced

Advanced ceramics will allow the further development and exploration into technical skill, personal style, and aesthetic choice within the medium of clay.

Read More about Ceramics Advanced
Ceramics I

Ceramics one focuses on the development of skills within sculptural and functional pottery creations to allow students to familiarize themselves with the medium of clay.

Read More about Ceramics I
Ceramics II

Ceramics two focuses on the unification of sculptural and functional pottery creations to allow students to pursue projects unique to his/her/their interests and art style.

Read More about Ceramics II
Character Education

The school’s commitment to its core values is integrated into daily life at Gill, as is a focus on character awareness and development.

Read More about Character Education
Chemistry

This course emphasizes the periodic table of elements, the formation of compounds, and reactions that occur to produce new substances.

Read More about Chemistry
Chemistry Honors

This course emphasizes the periodic table of elements, the formation of compounds, and reactions that occur to produce new substances.

Read More about Chemistry Honors
Choir Honors

Students who have completed the Concert Choir course and pass a proficiency evaluation are eligible to take Advanced Choir.

Read More about Choir Honors
Creative Writing Advanced

Open to juniors and seniors who have taken Creative Writing and Portfolio Development, students in Advanced Creative Writing I craft a more extensive portfolio of fiction or poetry organized around a theme or common topic.

Read More about Creative Writing Advanced
Desktop Publishing

Students in this semester-long course learn the basic design principles involved in print publications, including the development of a theme or motif, layout and design, the appropriate choice of a font or typeface, the appropriate placement and use of images, and the importance of proofreading for both spelling and grammar.

Read More about Desktop Publishing
Differential Equations

This course follows college level curriculum intended to teach students (a) learn elementary analytical solution techniques for the solution of ordinary differential equations (ODEs), (b) understand the solution structure of linear ODEs in terms of independent homogeneous solutions and non-homogeneous solutions, and (c) interpret the solutions using plots and methods of calculus.

Read More about Differential Equations
Digital Illustration

Serving as an introduction to the study of digital illustration as a visual interpretation of words, concepts, and ideas, students will use a variety of Adobe software for illustration, technical drawing, composition, and implementation of created art into page layout.

Read More about Digital Illustration
Digital Media Advanced

In this full year, students will expand on the technical and design skills they previously learned in Digital Illustration and Graphic Design.

Read More about Digital Media Advanced
Directing

In this semester-long course, students learn how to create an artistic vision of an existing play, how to serve as the coordinator of a cast of performers, how to manage the schedule of a production, and how to be the single director of a staged performance.

Read More about Directing
Discrete Mathematics

This introductory semester course in discrete mathematics is designed for strong math students, particularly those also interested in computer science.

Read More about Discrete Mathematics
Drawing

In this semester-long course, students learn numerous skills and techniques for representational drawing, focusing on and capturing what they see and using value, shading, and contrast to create a sense of form.

Read More about Drawing
Exercise Science

The focus of this one-semester course is to empower students with the capacity to obtain, interpret and understand basic health information and services, and apply that knowledge to make informed decisions in their daily life.

Read More about Exercise Science
Forensic Science

This course is designed for seniors who would like to pursue advanced studies in science after successfully completing physics, chemistry, and biology.

Read More about Forensic Science
French II

Although this course expects students to have a solid first-year preparation in vocabulary and grammar, the class begins with an active review of previous material before leading the student into more challenging material.

Read More about French II
French III

This course continues to review and reinforce communication skills through the integration of listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities.

Read More about French III
French III Honors

This course continues to review and reinforce communication skills through the integration of listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities.

Read More about French III Honors
French IV

Students continue to develop and refine their language skills through increased exposure to more advanced grammar and vocabulary.

Read More about French IV
French IV Honors

Students continue to develop and refine their language skills through increased exposure to more advanced grammar and vocabulary.

Read More about French IV Honors
Graphic Design

In this semester course, the interaction of text and image and the fundamental components of graphic communication are introduced, and students develop and hone skills in working with text and image as they create solutions to a series of design problems.

Read More about Graphic Design
Introduction to Physics

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of and appreciation for physics while preparing them for higher-level science and mathematics courses.

Read More about Introduction to Physics
Latin III

Students continue the study of Latin grammar and vocabulary, translate increasingly complex material, and further their exploration of Roman culture and society.

Read More about Latin III
Latin III Honors

Students continue the vigorous study of Latin grammar and vocabulary to be able to translate increasingly complex material, including several classic heroes and begin to study original works by Roman authors, including Pliny, Martial, Catullus, and Ovid.

Read More about Latin III Honors
Latin IV

Roman literature is a diverse and exciting field, and in this course, students have the opportunity to read authors such as Catullus, Ovid, Virgil, Caesar, Suetonius, and others.

Read More about Latin IV
Latin IV Honors

Roman literature is a diverse and exciting field, and in this course, students read diverse authors such as Ovid, Virgil, Caesar, Cicero, and others.

Read More about Latin IV Honors
Linear Algebra

Students will utilize the basic concepts and methods of linear algebra to analyze basic applied problems, solve linear equations of equations and find eigenvalues and eigenvectors to enable diagonalization.

Read More about Linear Algebra
Music Laboratory

Music Lab is a one-semester, repeatable course in which student musicians will advance their existing musical skills and develop new ones.

Read More about Music Laboratory
Musicology

Musicology offers an interdisciplinary journey into the study of music, blending elements of history, sociology, and cultural studies to deepen your understanding and appreciation of various genres of music.

Read More about Musicology
Painting

In this semester-long course, students learn about the unique qualities of different types of paint, including watercolor, acrylic, and oil.

Read More about Painting
Photography I

This course serves as an introduction to the historical, technical, and aesthetic responsibilities of digital photography.

Read More about Photography I
Photography II

Students continue discussions of the historical, technical, and aesthetic responsibilities of digital photography.

Read More about Photography II
Portfolio Development Honors

Honors Portfolio Development is a yearlong course for students who are serious about the practical experience of art and want to develop mastery in conceptualizing, composing, and executing their ideas.

Read More about Portfolio Development Honors
Precalculus

A prerequisite for Calculus, students master topics that include recognizing parent functions; graphing functions (polynomial, rational, logarithmic, and exponential); solving quadratic equations and inequalities; solving systems of equations using matrices.

Read More about Precalculus
Programming II - Java

This year-long course is designed for students who have computer programming experience and are interested in a rigorous introduction to object-oriented languages.

Read More about Programming II - Java
Robotics and Engineering I

Students in this semester course are introduced to the principles, history, and social implications of robotics and experience a hands-on introduction to robotics and engineering, enabling students to combine the skills of a mechanical engineer, project manager, and programmer.

Read More about Robotics and Engineering I
Sculpture

This semester course helps students develop an understanding of the interaction of forms in space.

Read More about Sculpture
Spanish I

This course stresses proficiency in all four skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—and provides an understanding of basic grammatical structures and patterns of communication.

Read More about Spanish I
Spanish II

This course reviews and reinforces communication skills through the integration of listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities.

Read More about Spanish II
Spanish II Honors

This course reviews and reinforces communication skills through the integration of listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities.

Read More about Spanish II Honors
Spanish III

This course reviews and reinforces Spanish communication skills through the integration of listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities.

Read More about Spanish III
Spanish III Honors

This course continues to reinforce Spanish communication skills through the integration of listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities.

Read More about Spanish III Honors
Spanish IV Honors

In this course, students continue to expand and refine their knowledge and communication skills through the study of more complex vocabulary and advanced grammatical structures at a rigorous pace.

Read More about Spanish IV Honors
Spotlight on Science

In addition to standard, honors, and AP courses for physics, chemistry, and biology, the Upper School Science Department offers many elective courses.

Read More about Spotlight on Science
Spring Unit

For over 50 years, the Spring Unit has been the inspiration for the school’s motto, Schola Mundus Est: “The World is Our Classroom.”

Read More about Spring Unit
Statistics

This course uses both a theoretical and experimental approach and provides students with a solid foundation in introductory statistics.

Read More about Statistics
Studio Art

This semester-long, entry-level course provides an overview and introduction to the visual arts using a variety of art tools and materials.

Read More about Studio Art

Apply

GSB welcomes applications from students who demonstrate academic potential and who are deemed likely to benefit from and contribute to the GSB community.

Learn more

Tuition

We are committed to building a community of talented, passionate, creative, and thoughtful students from a diverse range of backgrounds independent of financial circumstances.

Learn more

Visit Us

Schedule a campus or join us for an upcoming admission event.

Learn more