Upper School

Building a foundation for life’s endeavors.

As a college preparatory school, Glenelg Country School students engage in learning opportunities that shape their minds for higher education. In the Upper School, students choose from courses across the humanities, sciences, mathematics, world languages, and civic leadership. The course catalog runs from Civil Engineering and Architecture to Software Development, 3D Art, and Forensics, plus a full slate of AP courses.

By offering College Preparatory, Honors Level, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, each student will find the appropriate level of challenge and academic support. Currently, more than half of our students in Grades 11 and 12 are enrolled in at least one of our 26 available AP courses.

The classroom isn’t the only place where our students excel. Athletics, theater, and clubs play an important part in honing your child’s interests and talents. In addition, every Upper School student completes community service, averaging 50 hours per year. Volunteer work helps our students recognize and value their individual impact, while laying a foundation of humility, generosity, and caring for others.

95% of GCS graduates matriculate to four-year colleges and universities, supported by two full-time college counselors. By helping to instill a positive mindset and confidence in their abilities, our students feel encouraged to pursue their passions and dreams, while following our honor code of honesty, integrity, and civility.

The honor code anchors daily life in the Upper School. Ask our students about it on a visit.

Scholars Program students build four-year portfolios and defend them before a faculty panel to graduate with distinction. Seniors design original research projects in the Senior Integrative course. In 2026, our Robotics team won a FIRST Tech Challenge Control Award.