Teaching & Learning
Academics.
Going beyond college prep, with courses that spark curiosity and connect big ideas to real problems.
Going beyond college prep
Joyful, purposeful learning.
Our teachers and programs go past the basic college-prep curriculum, emphasizing critical thinking, exploration and experiential learning so students can apply abstract ideas to real problems.
We believe the best preparation for the future is meaningful learning that is joyful and purposeful, and our programs take students out of the classroom and beyond their comfort zones.
Academic rigor is more than hard work, and excellence is more than achievement. We value creativity and courage, in class and out.
Core curriculum
Four academic departments.
Every department offers Advanced Studies courses, alongside a wide range of electives.
Science, technology, engineering & math
STEM
Bringing students to the forefront of scientific thinking.
Interdisciplinary
Humanities
Critical and creative thinking, collaboration, leadership, respectful disagreement and consensus-building.
Spanish, French & Mandarin
Languages
Learning a language well builds a deep understanding of self, others and other cultures.
Visual & performing arts
The Arts
Expressing thoughts and feelings through music, performance, and visual and physical expression.
Our curriculum
Built for a changing world.
Facts and skills alone aren’t enough anymore. Our curriculum builds the habits students need for their own futures.
01
Advanced Studies in every discipline
Our AS courses meet or exceed the rigor, depth and challenge families often associate with Advanced Placement.
02
Habits of mind
Self-knowledge, creativity, adaptability, resourcefulness and empathy, built into every course.
03
Learning by doing
Critical thinking, exploration and experiential learning connect abstract ideas to real problems.
04
Known, seen and supported
With small classes, teachers work with 45 to 60 students a day, so every student is known.
Academics by the numbers.
85%
of faculty hold advanced degrees
16
students in an average class
85
courses across core academics and electives
12:1
student-to-teacher ratio
World languages
Spanish, French and Mandarin.
We believe the best way to understand another culture is from the inside out. Strong language skills change how students think and deepen their understanding of their own culture.
Teachers build solid grammar and practical fluency across speaking, listening, reading and writing, and encourage students to use the language beyond class and to travel abroad.
Course catalog
Every course, in one place.
Our course catalog lists the full range of courses, graduation requirements and course descriptions.
To request the current catalog, contact our Admissions team.
Visit
Sit in on a class.
The best way to understand an SA education is to see it in person. Join us for an Open House or Visit Day.