Academic Requirements

Diploma Requirements

The School requires the following yearlong course credits for graduation:

  • Four credits in English;
  • Four credits in mathematics;
  • Three credits in a laboratory science, one credit each in biology, chemistry, and physics;
  • Two and a half credits in history, including one in United States history;
  • Two credits or through the third level, whichever is more advanced, of the same classical or modern language (at least three consecutive year credits is strongly recommended);
  • One and a half credits in religious studies;
  • Two half-credit courses in the arts.

Students must also take a half-credit course in Health and Wellness in the IV Form year.



Course Loads by Form

The minimum course load for the various forms within the School is as follows:

III Form

  • Five one-credit courses
  • One semester-long, half-credit arts elective

IV Form

  • Five one-credit courses, including History of Religious Thought
  • Health and Wellness, one semester

V Form

  • Five one-credit courses or four one-credit courses and two half-credit courses

VI Form

  • Five one-credit courses or four one-credit courses and two half-credit courses

Academic Program Goals

Our curriculum and classroom practices teach students to:

  • Think logically, creatively, and critically;
  • Articulate their thoughts persuasively;
  • Engage with ideas and worlds beyond their immediate experience through literature, history, and the arts;
  • Develop a firm foundation in computational skills and quantitative analysis;
  • Explore, quantify, and analyze physical phenomena using rigorous scientific methods;
  • Become aware of their place in a world of diverse philosophical, religious, and cultural traditions;
  • Gain a solid grounding in at least one foreign or classical language;
  • Use information technology wisely, for research, communication, and experimentation; and
  • Understand nuanced ethical and moral issues and make judgments with both sensitivity and courage.
St. Andrew's student-teacher ratio is 5:1, with an average class size of 12 students.

Course Planning & Placement

Students plan the next academic year's course schedule in the early spring of the preceding year with the help of their faculty advisors. Course selection is based not only on the next year's requirements, but also on the student's academic goals for his or her remaining years at St. Andrew's. After consultation with advisors, parents, other faculty and, in the V Form, a St. Andrew's college counselor, students submit their class selections to a committee composed of the School's Dean of Studies, Director of College Counseling, and academic department heads for final review.

For incoming students, the Dean of Studies, academic department heads, and School Registrar will examine the student's previous course of study, transcripts, and recommendations to help determine proper placement in St. Andrew’s courses. New students may also be asked to take online placement tests in mathematics and foreign language before arriving at St. Andrew's; such tests are typically administered in May or June.

Examinations & Assessments

Students take examinations in their courses at the end of the first and second semesters. The School sends reports home via email in November, February, and April. In October and March, each student’s faculty advisor writes a letter to parents detailing the student’s mid-term performance. In June, the student’s advisor writes a complete review of the year that accompanies final grades and teacher class comments. The Dean of Studies and academic advisors may also write letters or comments about a student in special instances.

Standardized Testing

Students take standardized tests as the School recommends for college preparation and admission. Fourth Form and V Form students take the PSAT, which for the V Form serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. In their V and VI Form years, students generally take the SAT, the ACT and at least two SAT subject tests.

Students may take Advanced Placement examinations in various subjects; some Advanced Study courses will prepare students for these tests, but in most cases students will have to study for AP tests independent of general class instruction.