Upper School 7-12

Program Overview

Trinity offers a college-preparatory curriculum. Emphasis is not only on teaching content, but also on developing lifelong learners who are adept at reading, writing, and reasoning. Advanced Placement or honors courses are offered in many departments.

Teaching methods in the Upper School incorporate oral presentations, drama, papers, speeches, debates, worldview discussion, and guided research with the goal of synthesizing ideas (leading to the composition and defense of the senior thesis).

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Additional Graduation Requirements

What do students say?

The capstone project is one of the things that makes Trinity special. Our kids learn so much from this: discipline, academic rigor, public speaking, thinking deeply about what they believe, and then defending those beliefs against skeptics. A great tradition.

TCS Parent

Learn more at an Upper School First Glance
Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Do you have a rising 7-12th grader? Attend our Upper School First Glance and:

  • Get all of your questions answered about Trinity’s Upper School!
  • Meet our new Head of School, Dr. Matt Thomas, and Upper School Principal, Mr. Scott Bergquist. 
  • Hear from a dynamic panel of Upper School teachers and administrators as they discuss academics, student life, the house system, athletics, performing arts, and the visual arts program.
  • Tour our beautiful campus and take a peek into a few Upper School classes!

Register today!


 

Get the inside scoop at Discover Trinity (FULL*)
Friday, January 26, 2024
Rising Grades 7-12

Ever wondered what it's like to be an Upper School student at Trinity? Now's your chance! Come hang out with some of our Upper School students as they give you the inside scoop on all things Trinity!

  • Learn about our House system, sports competitions, school spirit traditions, and more
  • Take a student-led tour
  • Peek inside classrooms
  • Get your questions answered
  • Enjoy a lunch and snacks on us
  • Score some Trinity swag

Spots will fill up quickly! Reserve your place today! Sorry, parents, this event is just for students!

*Please email admission@tcsfairfax.org if you would like to be placed on the waitlist for the fully booked Discover Trinity event.


 


 

Technology in the Upper School

A large percentage of the curriculum in Grades 7-12 is in an e-book format. Students in Grades 7-12 bring a personal laptop that meets school specifications to use in classrooms.

Fine Arts in the Upper School

  • Studio art classes explore two- and three-dimensional art and graphic design at several levels, including portfolio preparation for college study.
  • Instrumental and choral ensembles are open by audition; students regularly perform for the school and community.
  • Theater arts classes are open to all students; fall and spring drama or musical productions are staged with open auditions for the entire Upper School student body.

 

Library/Media Center

A comprehensive library/media collection is housed in two distinct centers on campus. For the Upper School, the collection offers hard-copy texts, electronic resources, a periodicals collection, and audio-visual materials.

  • Nearly 2,500 print titles are available to use in the center or to check out for use at home or in class.
  • For research, 12 computer stations provide access to the Internet, the OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog), and online databases.
  • Trinity subscribes to JSTOR, an electronic journal storage project that provides full-text access to complete runs of back issues of scholarly journal titles.
  • A full-time librarian assists students and teachers with research and the use of the materials.
  • While the collection intentionally supports the Christian worldview, it contains a broad selection of titles meant to expose students to the variety of ideas they will encounter in college and in life.

2022-2023 Year in Review

 

Free Resources

Request a free copy of The Lost Purpose of Learning by clicking here.

Request a free copy of Rightside Up in an Upside-Down World by clicking here.


 

"I liked learning during school because my teachers made me feel like it was something good, and something to be proud of spending my time doing. Trinity’s curriculum was the foundation I think I needed to move on to perhaps more varied and erudite studies.”

Becca Kobayashi '08, Kenyon College '12