Welcome to the Upper School!

Hello Friends!

We are glad you are here and joining our community. I hope you will take some time to explore this interactive website. It includes many resources, helpful links, videos, and documents that will help orient you to the Upper School.

Let's Get Started...

Meet The Team

Christine Koniezhny, Academic Dean

Jennifer Robinson, Director of Technology and Libraries

Christine Saudek, Ninth Grade Dean

Paula Easton, Upper School Admission Counselor

Travis Henschen, Upper School Dean of Student Life

Darryl Tiggle, Director of College Counseling

Laura Whitehead, Ninth Grade Assistant Dean & History Teacher

Schoen Oakes, Director of Student Support

Questions?

Contact the Upper School Office:

Alicyn Wilmoth
usoffice@friendsbalt.org
(410) 649-3252

Academic Program

Friends School students are immersed in a vigorous, college preparatory program that guides them through courses in the major academic departments (English, Math, History, Science, Language) interspersed with a rich array of electives in the Fine and Performing Arts, Computer Science, and other non-Departmental courses.

The first step in your journey is to decide on your academic path that you will take through high school. Examine the Course Guide which provides course descriptions and information about diploma requirements. Check out the "Upper School At A Glance" document which provides a high level overview of the sequence of courses each year. When you are ready, fill out the Course Selection Form to indicate your choices. These choices, along with any recommendations or placement test results, are what we will use to build your schedule.

Course Selection for 2022-23

COURSE SELECTION FORMS:

Questions about your schedule?
Contact Christine Koniezhny, Academic Dean

Learn More About:

Important Upcoming Dates

April 5: New to the Upper School Information Evening
7:00 PM , Forbush Auditorium
Rising Friends 9th graders and all new to Friends students and their parents/caregivers are expected to attend.
April 19: Optional Course Selection Drop In "Workshop" on Zoom with Ms. Koniezhny
6:00-8:00 PM
If you have individual or general questions, please feel to "drop in" during that window of time.
Join with this ZOOM Link
April 23: New Student Placement Test Day
9:00 AM-noon Upper School main building
Please check in outside the Upper School in the courtyard upon arrival.
NB: Rising FSB 8th Graders do not come to Placement Test Day but instead will be recommended into the appropriate 9th grade course sequence by the MS Faculty and Administration in consultation with Upper School Department Chairs
April 23: Course Selections Google Forms are DUE
August 1: All Back to School forms due
(NB: students will not be allowed to participate in preseason sports or begin classes without the required health forms turned in to the Upper School office)
August 11: Fall preseason athletics begin
August 15-17: Smart Start Orientation for new students in Grades 9-11
August 18-19: 9th Grade Class Orientation for all 9th graders, both returning and new students
Late August (Date TBD): New Family Cookout sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
August 30: Upper School Orientation Day (required attendance)
- Lockers
- Schedules
- Book rentals
- Advisory
- Community Building activities

Academic Program and Course Selection Walkthrough

Smart Start

Students who are new to Friends Upper School (students in Grades 9-11) participate in a 3-day orientation program called Smart Start during the week of August 15. This program, facilitated by our Upper School Dean of Student Life, faculty members, and the student "O Team" orients new students to all aspects of life in the Upper School. Additionally, Smart Start provides new students the chance to get their bearings, get comfortable with campus, and form new friendships.

Smart Start runs noon-3:30 PM daily (with lunch provided) so that it dovetails with Fall Pre-Season athletic practices.