MIDDLE SCHOOL
The seventh grade year is one of adapting to a new school environment, new classmates, new freedoms, and new academic challenges. They begin the year assigned a Peer Counselor, and an 8th Grade Orientation Buddy to provide a seamless transition. The seventh grade trip in the fall builds class unity as students get to know one another outside the classroom. The curriculum is geared to giving students a solid grounding in study techniques; reading, writing, and oral communication; and critical and analytical thinking before they enter the upper school. Coursework includes two English classes – one in literature, and one emphasizing composition – thus grounding students in English fundamentals before embarking on foreign language instruction. Seventh graders are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities including sports teams, performing arts productions, and clubs.
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The eighth grade year is a return to familiar territory, with the addition of high school level math and foreign language courses. The curriculum is geared to giving students a solid grounding in study techniques; reading, writing, and oral communication; and critical and analytical thinking before they enter the upper school. Eighth graders are assigned a Senior Buddy to offer support, friendship and advice throughout the year. In their second year at Prep, eighth graders navigate school opportunities with greater comfort and continue to explore athletics, performing arts, and clubs as leaders in the Middle School.
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THE UPPER SCHOOL YEARS
The ninth grade year is one of assimilation, growth, decisions and experimentation. With the doubling of the eighth grade class in the freshman year, an emphasis is placed on developing a cohesive class unit with a diverse and talented collection of students coming together for the first time. This is accomplished in a myriad of ways, including an outdoor education trip in the fall, homecoming dances, Peer Counseling, and numerous other class activities. Students are encouraged to explore the wide variety of extracurricular and academic offerings. The athletic program involves more than 75% of the student body, our Performing Arts Department offers opportunities to discover talents and interests in dance, music and drama, and there are over 40 clubs and organizations in the school to support.
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After sifting through the variety of ninth grade, the tenth grade year is a time for decisions and commitment. As the academic rigor of a college preparatory curriculum becomes more tangible and challenging, students are asked to begin to focus on their intellectual passions and interests. Athletic, artistic and other extracurricular endeavors now require the focus and commitment needed to balance the diverse experiences and expectations that are part of the high school years and the college preparatory environment. In the sophomore year, the class will have its first taste of standardized tests, college counseling and school-wide responsibilities ranging from fund-raising for the prom to organizing homecoming weekend. At the end of the year, after meeting individually with the Director of Human Development, the class will go off-campus to discuss the upcoming challenges of the junior year.
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The junior year at Flintridge is when all the decisions, preparations and commitments of the previous two years come to fruition. Juniors assume leadership roles in every facet of school life. Social life is marked by the fall celebration known as the Junior Parent Dinner followed by the traditional high school rite of spring, the Junior/Senior Prom. College counseling becomes a major part of every day life in preparation for the admission process. The academic year ends with the rigor of standardized tests and the intellectual freedom of senior class elective decisions. Before leaving for the summer, all juniors join senior administrators and faculty on a two-day Junior Retreat. The Retreat plays a vital role in defining how the class will contribute to the Flintridge community in their capacity as senior leaders.
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The Flintridge senior year is one of responsibility and privilege. As a senior, students enjoy the freedom of “sleep-ins”, off-campus privileges and the space and beauty of the Senior Lawn and Patio. With these long awaited benefits, however, come the personal responsibilities of college admissions and senior leadership. Working closely with the college counseling office and all school resources, each senior completes the process of college admittance. The entire senior class participates in the Senior Initiative: as tutors in the Senior Leaders program; as counselors in Peer Counseling; Senior Buddies to eighth graders, or as budding artists or academics in the very popular Independent Study program.
The senior year ends with a view of the future while remaining grounded in the present. Students participate in the Senior Horizons program that brings recent graduates, college educators and community professionals to campus to offer insights into the world of college and beyond. Prior to Commencement, seniors spend their last two weeks completing community service projects and taking a week-long trip to the Kern River where memories and goodbyes are shared. Graduation is a formal celebration of the class marked by a Senior Parent Dinner, Baccalaureate and Commencement.
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The Senior Initiative provides the opportunity for the senior class, both individually and collectively, to exercise leadership, personal growth and intellectual curiosity while giving back to the school before they move on. Senior Initiative successfully blends academic and human development experiences and community participation opportunities on and off campus. Programs included in the Senior Initiative are: Senior Leaders, Peer Counseling, Senior Buddies, and Independent Study.
INDEPENDENT STUDY
Roughly half of the senior class participates in this program that encourages students to undertake ambitious academic projects under the direction of a faculty advisor. These projects are the equivalent of a semester course and span disciplines in the humanities, science, and the arts. Each senior works with a mentor, usually a member of the faculty, who guides the student's work and helps shape the final presentation or performance.
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