Tower's Upper School students learn in an exciting environment of challenge, increased academic rigor, new opportunities and broader responsibilities. As early adolescents, these students are at an important point along their educational path—a time when connection and challenge encourage personal and academic growth.

As our mission states,

“We establish a sense of belonging.”

Our students are known and deeply cared for by the teachers and advisors who lead their learning and support them through the challenges that our rigorous academic program presents. When students have deep relationships of trust with their teachers, we know they perform at optimal levels.

Our students also feel deeply connected with one another. They live by the Tower Code which champions qualities of respect, helpfulness, and kindness. The Upper School is a place where relationships and character are critical components for establishing learning relationships for students.

“We prepare students for future success.”

With foundational academic skills secured in Lower School, our Upper School students embrace an ambitious academic program. Whether it is mastering the skills of algebra, engaging in historical research and evidence-based reasoning, writing, conversing in Spanish, or mastering the processes of observation and experimentation in science, our students apply their academic and study skills with confidence.

They are adept with the tools and strategies—note taking, research, test preparation, effective study habits—for success at the most selective secondary schools and highly ranked public high schools.

“We provide opportunities for students to identify themselves as innovators, leaders, contributors, artists, and athletes.”

Early adolescents need opportunities to excel, to take initiative, and to use their voice. We provide these through the classroom and through athletic, social, and community-service programs.

• In the classroom, students lead the charge with debate, discussion, teamwork, and questioning; they learn to self-advocate and to use their teachers and resources proactively to further their own learning.
• On the field, students lead athletic teams as captains or veteran players.
• Students impact school life through student government, as editors of our literary magazine, and as environmental stewards, to name a few.
• Through our service program, students lead with character and heart to contribute to a wide range of local organizations.

There is no shortage of opportunities for every student to practice taking initiative and using their skill and voice in meaningful ways.

We have high expectations for our Upper School students and for ourselves. We know that establishing a strong foundation of academic skill, character and confidence now will ensure that our students are ready for any secondary school experience. Moreover, we know that this foundation will have a lasting positive effect over the course of a lifetime.

We want our students to leave Tower with every door open to them.

DEACON CHAPIN, MATH TEACHER, GRADES 7 & 8