Upper School (Grades 8-9)

Guiding students to become effective learners.

Carroll's Upper School provides an intensive one- or two-year, college preparatory curriculum with tailored academic support. The program is ideal for smart students who could benefit from time management, study, and academic organization skills. Our educators recognize that every student has a unique learning profile, and design their curricula to nourish the skills needed to become an effective learner.

Carroll School Curriculum


The driving emphasis in the Carroll School curriculum is delivering what each child most needs. This means that the classroom experiences are tailored specifically to meet the needs of each child. Given our small classes and tutorials, achieving this lofty goal is actually possible. Unlike traditional schools where a prescribed curriculum defines what happens in the classroom, Carroll’s curriculum emphasizes the skill development and learning strategies that each child needs to acquire and pays close attention to the grade-level content delivered in public and other independent schools. Learn about our Curriculum Guiding Principles


Curricula Areas

Click on the specific curricula areas below to discover how this guiding philosophy works in Upper School classrooms:


Whole Child

We believe that a commitment to a child’s healthy social and emotional well-being goes hand-in-hand with academic success.

At the Upper School, students start each day within small advisory groups. Using Developmental Design techniques, students work on preparing for the day, setting personal goals, and enhancing social support & relationships. We also help students make positive connections through recess, community service, athletics, community events, our annual Fall Festival, and so much more.

Student Life at the Upper School

View the video below to hear from students about their experiences in grades 8 and 9. Learn more about Student Life at Carroll




Girl playing bananagrams in class at Carroll's Upper School
9th grade boy reading a book during Orton-Gillingham tutoring
Group of 8th and 9th grade students outside at Carroll's Upper School
Girls in 8th grade math class working on problems
Boys on their computers in class at Carroll's Upper School
Middle School teacher and student working together
Girls in hallway during lunch break at Carroll School
Students raising their hands to answer teacher's question at Carroll School
2 girls in class at Carroll's Upper School
Orton-Gillingham Tutoring session for 8th grader
Boy in class at Carroll's Upper School
9th grade students working on a cognitive game with teacher at Carroll School
Teacher teaching science class at Carroll's Upper School
4 Students sitting on a wall outside Carroll School
Upper School students sitting on stairs during lunch at Carroll School
Girl cutting clay in art class at Carroll's Upper School
8th grade girl working with teacher at Carroll's Upper School
Girl taking photo of flower for photography class
Girl painting in art class at Carroll School
Students working with teacher at Carroll's Upper School

Learn more about our programs: