Welcome to the Upper School!
Hello Friends!
We are glad you are here and joining our community. We hope you will take some time to explore the links below. They provide access to tools and resources to support the course selection process.
Let's Get Started...
Meet The Team
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
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
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 2023-24
COURSE SELECTION FORMS:
Questions about your schedule?
Contact Christine Koniezhny, Academic Dean
Learn More About:
New to US Night: Slide Deck
New to US Night: Recorded Presentation
Important Upcoming Dates
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April 4: 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 22: 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 22: Course Selection Google Forms are DUE
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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 14: Fall preseason athletics begin
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August 14-16: Smart Start Orientation for new students in Grades 9-11
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August 17-18: 9th Grade Class Orientation for all 9th graders, both returning and new students
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Late August (Date TBD): New Family Cookout sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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August 29: Upper School Orientation Day (required attendance)
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Lockers
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Schedules
- Book rentals
- Advisory
- Community Building activities
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Smart Start
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 14. 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.