Excelsior School is a small, independent middle and high school that offers a rigorous, college-preparatory education, and our school has established an excellent track record of graduates matriculating at distinguished colleges and universities.

        Our program is designed to develop an awareness of their potential. Commitment to community service and individual responsibility are also strongly emphasized. An in-depth, enriched curriculum, close faculty-student relations, diverse activities, and a variety of special programs and traditions support these goals.

     The Excelsior School curriculum is varied and challenging, providing a strong college-preparatory program in nine fields of study: English, history, mathematics, computer science, science, foreign language, art, performing arts and physical education.

     Students may qualify for honors-level courses in English, history, math, science and foreign language. Advanced Placement preparation is available in English, history, math, science, foreign language, art and performing arts. The Excelsior faculty employs a wide variety of teaching methods. In history class, students might debate the merits of Athenian democracy and Roman imperialism; in biology, students might do a laboratory experiment to determine factors that influence enzyme activity. Teachers may ask students to work together to design a computer- based solution to a mathematical problem. All courses emphasize reading, writing and research skills, and many courses include educational field trips to local museums, theatres and historical sites.

      The visual and performing arts are an integral part of the Excelsior experience. Each student is required to enroll in at least one full-year studio art course and one music course before graduation, and many students choose to take additional electives in these fields.