University School has always been distinguished by its excellent teachers and the close relationship among teachers and students. At the center of all that we do is a spirit of purposeful inquiry and a respect for the life of the mind.
The High School provides a dynamic college-preparatory curriculum in the tradition of the liberal arts, emphasizing breadth and depth of study in a range of disciplines. Most important, the academic program promotes independent and cooperative learning, providing ample opportunties for students to design independent study courses and to pursue advanced study in areas of particular interest and expertise. One fourth of the high school's academic courses are Accelerated and Advanced Placement, and many of our students earn college credit by taking the Advanced Placement exam. In recent years, more than 90% of scores on AP exams have been 3 or above, with 5 (the highest possible) being the most common score at USN.
The academic program of the Middle School emphasizes a diverse range of learning skills. Subject area content serves as a vehicle through which students develop their capacities to read, write, speak, listen, and think, as well their abilities to manage their time, materials and ideas. A grade-level team approach allows for interdisciplinary, theme-based units in which students are encouraged to demonstrate understanding in a variety of ways, seeking always to take best advantage of their strengths as a learner. All USN middle schoolers have time each day dedicated to math, English, social studies, and science; 7th and 8th graders also take foreign language daily.
