The Upper School offers a rigorous, comprehensive, academic program to prepare students for college. The curriculum explores the best of classical and modern thought, science and mathematics, foreign language (French, Latin, and Spanish) and the fine arts. Honors courses and twelve Advanced Placement courses are offered in six academic subjects. In preparation for high school, seventh and eighth graders in Middle School benefit from a Study Skills class. Latin is also required for all seventh and eighth graders. Qualified middle school students have the opportunity to take a high school level course.
The traditional academic disciplines are required, as well as Bible, fine arts, physical education, and computer. There are four levels of diplomas conferred to Covenant graduates.
Top level courses available are Honors Physics, Latin Seminar, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses in Studio Art, English, U.S. History, Government, CalculusAB and BC, Biology, Chemistry, Latin, and French. Honors level courses also are offered in English, Chemistry, Calculus, and the fourth year of Spanish and French. Top level courses offered during junior year are Honors Physics, AP Calculus AB, AP U.S. History, AP Chemistry, AP Latin, and the Honors fourth year of foreign languages. Click here to see Upper School Course Offerings
Cum Laude Society
Students invited into membership have attained the highest academic achievement and, additionally, are leaders and good citizens of the Covenant community. In addition to exemplifying academic excellence, the membership is self-governing and provides a tutoring service to other students.
Academic ”Extras”
Qualified students also may compete on the Academic Team. Middle school students are involved in the National Spelling Bee and National Geography Bee. In the past few years, Covenant students have qualified to compete at the regional level, and one of Covenant’s eighth graders was state champion in the American Scholastic Achievement League. Foreign language students participate and receive awards at all levels in the National French, Latin, and Spanish Exams as well as the National Mythology Exam. Higher level math students take the American High School Math Exam. Students also participate in many summer programs such as The Governor’s School in Fine Arts and the Virginia Press Association’s High School Editor’s Workshop.
Academic Advising and Course Selection
Each spring, students make their course selections for the next year. These selections are based upon student interest, graduation requirements, current courses taken, and student performance. Dean of Academics, Carol Fishwick, meets individually with all eighth-grade students and their parents to discuss not only the high school program in general but also a suggested course sequence for the individual student. Students will then meet with the Dean of Academics in subsequent years to finalize each year’s courses. Rising seniors will meet with their college advisor to plan for the senior year program.
Students interested in taking Honors or Advanced Placement (AP) courses must meet prerequisites and evaluative criteria. These requirements vary by department and course.
Individual Learning Program
To provide an alternative to classroom instruction, the school may approve an Individual Learning Program (ILP). The ILP enables qualified high school students to study, on an individual basis, subjects that are either not available in the regular curriculum or that complement it.