Step up to Upper School

Welcome to the Upper School! We're thrilled to have your student join us next year.

As they embark on this exciting new chapter, they'll discover a vibrant community dedicated to academic excellence, personal growth, and well-being. Our rigorous curriculum, coupled with a rich array of extracurriculars, will prepare them for college and beyond.

From navigating course selections to understanding overall logistics, this page is your one-stop resource for everything Upper School. Our faculty and staff will help you and your student make this transition seamless!

STEP UP EVENTS: CLASS OF 2030

Here are the events and dates you'll want to keep in mind as the parent of an 8th grade student. 

Upper School Student Visit
Ongoing

All 8th graders have been asked to complete a form to sign up for an Upper School student visit and share more with us about their Upper School interests. Please encourage your 8th grader to complete the form.

Class of 2030 Student Panel & Tour
Tuesday, October 21, 9:30-11:00 a.m.

Students will take a tour of the Upper School and hear from current Upper School students about their academic and extracurricular experiences.

Upper School Preview for Middle School Parents
Thursday, November 6, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Parents will learn how Flint Hill ensures a smooth transition from middle to upper school life. You’ll also meet leaders from each Upper School department. Register by Thursday, October 30, and select the sessions you are most interested in joining at this event. Register now.

Class of 2030: Ask an Upper School Parent
Thursday, January 15, 8:30-10:00 a.m.
29th Parallel Coffee, 106 Lawyers Rd NW, Vienna, VA

Join us at 29th Parallel Coffee for relaxed, informal conversations with current Upper School parents. Whether you're curious about academics, athletics, or student life, our parents are ready to share their insights and answer all your questions about the transition from 8th to 9th grade. Register now.

Class of 2030: Upper School Preview
Tuesday, January 27, 7:00-8:15 p.m.
Virtual Event

During this virtual event, current parents and students will answer all of your questions, and School leaders will share what to expect in the Upper School. Register now.

Class of 2030 Advisory Visits
Friday, January 30, 8:00-8:25 a.m.

Upper School ambassadors will visit 8th grade advisories to share invaluable insights about the exciting transition from Middle to Upper School. With detailed information and thoughtful answers to their questions, the Class of 2030 will feel confident and prepared for this important next step.

Pathways to Success:
Design Your Upper
School Experience

Seven Things You Need to Know Before Your Student Starts 9th Grade

New Science Curriculum: Student-Driven Chemistry and Biology Options

Student Leadership Opportunities

Inside the Course Selection Process

5 Things You Need to Do to Get Your Middle Schooler Ready for College

College Advising

STUDENT-DESIGNED CLUBS

Seven Things You Need to Know Before Your Student Starts 9th Grade

Upper School Freshman Class Dean Andrew Kane shares seven key things he wishes parents knew before their students start high school.

New Science Curriculum: Student-Driven Chemistry & Biology Options

To cultivate young scientists with strong logic and reasoning, our new chemistry and biology courses make science relevant by combining advanced topics with student-driven interests.

Spotlight on Student Leadership

Our Upper School Dean of Students discusses leadership opportunities available to students in grades 9-12.

Inside the Course Selection Process

Want to know how Flint Hill Upper School students choose their courses each year? We provide an insider’s look at the process.

5 Things You Need to Do to Get Your Middle Schooler Ready for College

Middle school lays the foundation for the social-emotional and organizational skills your child will need for college success, and that doesn’t come from test prep and textbooks.

College Advising

Our four full-time college advisors focus on truly getting to know students and guiding them to “right-fit” schools.

STUDENT-DESIGNED CLUBS

Our student-designed clubs represent an array of special interest, academic, and service-oriented offerings as vibrant and diverse as our student body.

FAQS

No! One of the benefits of having enrolled before 9th grade is you get to skip the competitive Upper School admission process. You are already a Husky!

Our target enrollment for the 9th grade is 145, which is comprised of 40% new students. There will be many opportunities to expand students’ existing social circles. As one freshman put it, “I think everyone was super welcoming. Some of the new kids this year are my closest friends.”

Similar to the Middle School, the Upper School daily schedule operates on a six-day rotating cycle where each class meets four times within one rotation for 55 minutes. A typical student load is six classes with one free period. The free period provides time for students to work on homework, study, hang out with friends, etc. This discretionary time allows them to develop strong time management skills that will benefit them in college and beyond. During mid-morning break from 10:20-10:45 a.m., students are able to purchase snacks from the Igloo, socialize with peers, or bring questions to a teacher. On C and F days, instead of a final academic block, the Upper School students have flex blocks. Flex blocks provide space for pre-planned special programming like all-school gatherings, pep rallies, grade-level meetings, and guest speakers. Students then finish the day in advisory, serving as a point of decompression and prep for the following day.

Office hours are offered daily from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Students can drop in to see their teachers for 1:1 support. Aside from fostering a meaningful connection with their teachers, office hours offer students the opportunity to clarify and ask questions about the material, review an exam or assignment, and better understand their teachers' expectations.

Per each class, Upper School students can expect 30 minutes of homework for an on-level college prep course, 45 minutes for an honors course, and 60 minutes for an AP course. They’ll develop study habits to become more self-directed learners while studying for assessments and completing assignments. Students also learn to utilize office hours, free periods, and at-home time to find the best time to study.

The Upper School Dress Expectations go over this in detail.

Yes, the Upper School lunch includes additional, wider-ranging dietary options.

  • Upper School athletics start after school, at 3:45 p.m.
  • Practices are longer, from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m. Some sports can be as late as 7:00 p.m. due to the number of teams and court availability, and others practice in the morning before school starts.
  • There is a tryout period for each sport similar to the Middle School; however, the levels are designated as Junior Varsity and Varsity (some have Frosh), and there can be cuts.
  • Each sport has an increased number of games, matches, and/or meets. These events will run later in the day than middle school, and some occur on Saturdays.
  • Most sports will implement workouts in the Fitness Center during the season and off-season for strength and conditioning purposes.
  • We offer a fitness and conditioning class during each athletic season.

Yes, there are more offerings and students! The Upper School’s challenging academic program is balanced by extracurricular opportunities that reflect our students’ affinities and passions. Our 75+ student-designed clubs represent an array of special interest, academic, and service-oriented offerings as vibrant and diverse as our student body. The Upper School also has 6 formal leadership programs that students in grades 10-12 can take part in: Academic Honor Council, Athletic Advisory Council, Conduct Council, Peer Counselors, Student Ambassadors, and Student Council Association.

CLASS OF 2025 COLLEGE DESTINATIONS

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Our Upper School Team shares information about students in grades 9-12 at Flint Hill can become leaders.

To cultivate young scientists with strong logic and reasoning, our new chemistry and biology courses make science relevant by combining advanced topics with student-driven interests.

Want to know how Flint Hill Upper School students choose their courses each year? We provide an insider’s look at the process.

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