Upper School Course Description

Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Calculus AB or AP Computer Science A, or departmental recommendation
Open to students in grades 11–12

This course is designed for students who have demonstrated a clear academic plan or pursued previously approved coursework in computer science and mathematics. In this student-driven, interdisciplinary course, students are encouraged to extend learning beyond the traditional secondary school curriculum, aligning with our school’s strategic priorities. Research proposals or external course applications must be submitted and approved in the spring for the subsequent fall semester; early application is crucial. Proposals should detail logistics, mentoring arrangements, and envisaged outcomes. A significant course emphasis is on creating work with real-world impact. Students are encouraged to aim for their work to be published, to collaborate with external organizations, or to produce work of exemplary standard. Regular peer reviews and end-of-semester presentations to a broader audience are integral to this course, promoting a community of shared learning and achievement. The course can be one or two semesters, depending on proposal scope. The nature of students’ final projects will determine whether they earn mathematics or computer science credit.