Academic Philosophy
High Aspirations for Long
-Term Success
Upland Country Day School's academic philosophy is much more than programs and curriculum, encompassing a holistic approach that nurtures every facet of a student's growth. It's a dedication to fostering critical thinking, resilience, and a passion for lifelong learning. Our philosophy embodies an ethos where education extends beyond textbooks and the classroom, encouraging students to embrace curiosity, empathy, and innovation as foundational pillars of their educational journey.
Our Philosophy
Upland’s Liberal Arts curriculum and technological capabilities, carefully balanced with confidence building experiences, offers a program with breadth and depth to help girls and boys maximize their potential during the most important years of their lives.
A Truly Challenging Journey of Learning
We believe children rise to our highest expectations, thrive on meaningful challenges, and never deserve anything less.
A Community of Close Connections
We believe a sense of belonging is a powerful force. When children feel known and cared for, they’re ready to be their best.
A World of Big Opportunities
We believe the range of options we offer for exploration will be reflected in the variety of talents our students discover and develop.
A Multidimensional Growth Experience
We believe a great education means more than a great academic experience—much, much more.
A Place Kids Love to Be
We believe happiness matters—as a goal in itself, and as a precondition for children to learn and thrive.
A Powerful Preparation for the Future
We believe you can perceive a school’s true strengths in the character and confidence of its graduates.
Explore Our Learning Methodologies
Upland Country Day School employs a variety of strategies that engage students dynamically, nurturing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Learning happens best when engaging in discussion, and creating spaces to explore, experiment, create, and bring ideas to life. Additionally, our commitment to outdoor learning transforms our campus into an immersive educational environment, enriching lessons by intertwining nature’s wonders with academic exploration.
Harkness Method
Discussion-based methodology.
Kleberg IDEA Center
Student-led innovation.
Outdoor Facilities
Nature-enriched learning.
The Harkness Method
Gone is the teacher standing at the chalkboard lecturing to students in rows of desks. In Upper School, students come to class prepared to lead the discussion by sharing ideas, taking turns speaking, and challenging classmates politely, even if they disagree. Whether the subject is a novel in English or a challenging math problem, The Harkness Method develops creative, confident, and articulate learners.
Thinking deeply and critically to build understanding.
Harkness Tables are the centerpiece of learning at some of the most prestigious preparatory high schools, such as Phillips Exeter, Lawrenceville, and St. Andrews. Upland is one of only two schools in the country to incorporate this discussion-based method across all disciplines at the middle school level.
Upland’s Head of school, Dr. Dan Hickey, explains how student-led conversation builds critical thinking and a dynamic of students who excel at group interaction.
The Kleberg IDEA Center
The Kleberg IDEA Center at Upland Country Day School utilizes empathy to define questions and problems. Students from Pre-K to 9th grade learn to better understand the needs of their peers and their community at large while empowering them to be global citizens. Students build solutions to problems using design prototypes of all kinds, using technology and harnessing their fine and gross motor skills along the way. Students will engage with a wide range of technology and tools from table saws and hammers to laser cutters and robotics. In a world with complex problems, forward-thinking educators encourage students to ideate and prototype – continually redesigning and learning from previous errors or missteps. Mistakes are simply an opportunity to learn, and repeated effort always leads to improvement. Students learn to collaborate and build upon each other’s ideas, using all the information and knowledge at their disposal while designing their own unique solutions.
Using technology and engineering to drive solutions.
Design thinking challenges students to learn from their models and mistakes. The curriculum is intentionally flexible, process-based and community-centered. The IDEA Center cultivates a community of thinkers, makers, and builders in a place of discovery, joy, and innovation.
Outdoor Learning Facilities
The creative use of our outdoor spaces helps make it possible for our students and faculty to be on campus, outside in the fresh air.
Explore Our Academic Programming
We believe children rise to our highest expectations, thrive on meaningful challenges, and never deserve anything less. Explore the multidimensional growth experience specifically designed to prepare each student for the future in each of our core schools:
Y9 Experience
(9th Grade)
Developing as role models and leaders for an entire student body.
