At Ascent Classical Academy, Upper School marks a pivotal chapter in a student’s educational journey.
These years are characterized by growing independence, deeper intellectual inquiry, and purposeful preparation for life beyond high school. Here, students are not just preparing for college – they are learning how to live well.
Our Upper School is built on the foundation of a classical liberal arts education. Through a rigorous curriculum, a culture of virtue, and a strong sense of community, students grow into thoughtful, articulate, and virtuous young adults ready to engage the world.
An Education of Mind and Character
At Ascent Classical, Upper School is where the cultivation of virtue and the pursuit of truth come together in a powerful way. Our students study literature, history, mathematics, and science with increasing depth and rigor, building not only academic knowledge but also the moral strength to apply it wisely.
The Seven Core Virtues – introduced to students at every grade level – continue to shape daily life and learning in Upper School. As students encounter complex ideas and challenging coursework, virtues like Courage, Perseverance, and Wonder guide their studies, influence their relationships, and prepare them to lead with integrity.
Through a curriculum that is both intellectually rich and morally grounded, students learn to think clearly, speak persuasively, and live honorably. They graduate from Ascent not only with academic mastery, but with the habits of mind and character needed to flourish in any path they choose.
College and Career Preparation: Forming Lifelong Learners
Upper School at Ascent Classical equips students with the academic foundation, character, and confidence to succeed in a wide range of post-graduation paths – whether pursuing college, technical training, military service, entrepreneurship, or another vocation.
Our students are held to a high academic standard. Through demanding coursework, Socratic discussion, and regular writing and presentation assignments, they learn to think critically and communicate with clarity and poise. Most students graduate with advanced coursework in subjects like mathematics and science, and are well-prepared to sit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams or pursue college credit through Dual Enrollment, should those options be available.
But preparation at Ascent goes beyond transcripts. Our graduates are articulate, virtuous, and curious – traits that stand out in college admissions and serve them equally well in professional and civic life. They don’t just learn what to think, but how to think and how to live wisely, no matter where life leads them next.
Graduation Requirements
The House System: Building Community Across Grades
Beginning in seventh grade, all students are welcomed into one of four student Houses, each named by the school’s inaugural Upper School class. These Houses create a sense of belonging and mentorship across grade levels and serve as the foundation for friendly competitions, service projects, and school-wide traditions.
The House System develops leadership and school spirit while strengthening our student community in meaningful and memorable ways.
The Senior Thesis: A Culmination of Wonder
All seniors complete a year-long Senior Thesis – a rigorous, independent research project that reflects their development as thinkers and scholars. Guided by faculty mentors, students pursue a question that genuinely inspires them, cultivating intellectual Wonder as they craft a thesis and defend it before peers, families, and school leaders.
This milestone is the capstone of the Upper School experience: a demonstration of the intellectual maturity and personal virtue cultivated through their years at Ascent.
Why It Matters: A Whole Education for the Whole Person
At Ascent Classical, education is not just about earning a diploma – it is about the formation of the whole person: mind, heart, and character. Our Upper School continues and deepens this formation, preparing students not just for college or career, but for a life well lived.
Students who complete the full K-12 classical sequence benefit from a carefully layered curriculum, where each year builds on the last – from early reading and arithmetic to advanced rhetoric and philosophy. But no matter when a student joins us, the Upper School offers a transformative experience. Through timeless texts, challenging academics, and a school culture shaped by virtue, students are drawn into a tradition that calls them to think deeply, live wisely, and lead honorably.
Whether your family has been with us since Kindergarten or is exploring a new beginning in grades 7-12, now is the time to make the most of your child’s education. The sooner students enter into this rich and rigorous environment, the more time they have to grow, flourish, and become the kind of young men and women our world so greatly needs.
