Welcome to Upper School

Your introductory guide to the Selwyn Upper School modular schedule, academic tracks, and course offerings

Incoming Freshman & Family Orientation Guide
■ How Our Modular Schedule Works

The 6-Week Mod System

Our school runs on a modular (mod) schedule. Each "mod" is a 6-week instructional block. Courses are measured in mods, and credit is earned based on how many mods a course takes.

6
weeks per module
3
mods = 1 full credit
2
mods = 0.5 credit
1
mod = ⅓ credit
⚠ Important for families: Elective courses rotate and change based on student interest and demand. The electives listed in this guide are examples — your student may find new or different offerings each mod. Required courses do not change and must be completed in every track.
Flexibility is a feature. Because mods are short, students can explore new subjects more frequently than in a traditional semester system. A student can take a 1-mod elective, discover a passion, and go deeper — all in the same school year.
■ Choose Your Academic Track
⚠ Important for families: Every student must choose one of four tracks. Each track has the same core academic requirements — what differs is where you spend your elective and specialized credits.

Traditional Track

A well-rounded path with balanced coursework across all subjects including fine arts and foreign language.

26 credits
to graduate

Technology / STEM Track

Deep focus on science, technology, engineering and math. Includes advanced computer science and research electives.

27.5 credits
to graduate

Fine Arts Academy — Art (FAA)

Intensive visual arts training. Students complete Art History, studio classes, and a Senior Thesis & Showcase.

8 art credits
required in track

Fine Arts Academy — Music (FAM)

Intensive music training including theory, history, performance, private lessons, and a Senior Recital.

8 music credits
required in track
Subject Area Traditional STEM FAA (Art) FAM (Music)
English / Language Arts4 credits4 credits4 credits4 credits
Mathematics4 credits4 credits4 credits4 credits
Science4 credits4 credits4 credits4 credits
Social Studies4 credits4 credits4 credits4 credits
Foreign Language3 credits2 credits2 credits2 credits
PE / Wellness2.5 credits1.5 credits1.5 credits1.5 credits
Technology / STEM0.5 credit8 credits0.5 credit0.5 credit
Fine Arts — Art2 credits*—8 credits—
Fine Arts — Music2 credits*——8 credits
Other Electives2 creditsincluded aboveincluded aboveincluded above
Total Credits2627.5~26~26
*Fine Arts requirements for Traditional track. Students on the Traditional track must complete 2 credits of Fine Arts courses, which could be either music or art or a combination of Music and Art. You do not need to take 2 credits of Art and 2 credits of music.
■ Required & Elective Courses by Subject
★ Pay special attention to required classes. Every student in every track must complete the required courses listed for each subject. Electives are flexible and may vary by mod and student interest.
English / Language Arts 4 credits required
Required (all tracks)
  • English 1 3 mods · 1 credit
  • English 2 3 mods · 1 credit
  • English 3 3 mods · 1 credit
  • English 4 3 mods · 1 credit
Sample Electives (1 mod · ⅓ credit each)
Creative Writing* Fiction Studies* Independent Study
*May be repeated for credit in different mods
Social Studies 4 credits required
Required (all tracks)
  • Ancient Civilizations 3 mods · 1 cr
  • US History 3 mods · 1 cr
  • Modern Global History 3 mods · 1 cr
  • US Government 2 mods · 0.5 cr
  • Economics 2 mods · 0.5 cr
Sample Electives (many options, 1 mod each)
Current EventsPsychologySociologyPhilosophy World PoliticsThe Cold WarWorld Religions AnthropologyHistory of FilmDebate* + many more
*Debate may be repeated for credit
Mathematics 4 credits required
Required (all tracks)
  • Algebra I 3 mods · 1 cr
  • Geometry 3 mods · 1 cr
  • Algebra II 3 mods · 1 cr
Sample Electives (1–3 mods)
Pre-CalculusCalculus I & II StatisticsComputer Based Math Data ScienceLogic & Proofs Fractals & Visual Math
Science 4 credits required
Required (all tracks)
  • Biology 3 mods · 1 cr
  • Chemistry 3 mods · 1 cr
  • Physics 3 mods · 1 cr
Sample Electives (1–2 mods)
Environmental ScienceAstronomy Anatomy & PhysiologyEarth Science NeurologyGenetics Science of Warfare
International Language 2–3 credits
Traditional: 3 credits  |  STEM / FAA / FAM: 2 credits
  • Spanish I 3 mods · 1 cr
  • Spanish II 3 mods · 1 cr
  • Spanish III 3 mods · 1 cr
  • AP Spanish 6 mods · 1 cr
  • Latin I 3 mods · 1 cr
  • Latin II 3 mods · 1 cr
PE & Wellness 1.5–2.5 credits
Required (all tracks)
  • Physical Education 3 mods · 1 cr
  • Health 1 mod · 0.5 cr
Sample Electives
Trail RunningStrength Training Outdoor Ed*Home Economics Body Language
*Outdoor Ed may be repeated for credit
Technology / STEM 0.5 cr (trad) / 8 cr (STEM)
Required — All tracks
  • Technology Basics 1 mod · 0.5 cr
STEM Track additional required courses
  • Computer Science 1 mod · ⅓ cr
  • AI Basics & Ethics 1 mod · ⅓ cr
  • Web Design 1 mod · ⅓ cr
  • Front-End Development 1 mod · ⅓ cr
  • Back-End Development 1 mod · ⅓ cr
STEM Electives
ProgrammingGame Design Cryptography3D Modeling Electronics I-IIIAI Applications
Art / Fine Arts Academy — Art 2 cr (trad) / 8 cr (FAA)
FAA Track — Required
  • Art History I & II 2 mods each · 0.5 cr
  • Intro Studio Art I & II 2 mods each · 0.5 cr
  • Senior Thesis & Showcase 3 mods · 1 cr
  • Painting 1, Drawing 1, Foundations of Art, Intro to Digital Art studio classes
Traditional Track — Sample Offerings
Digital ArtStudio Art PhotographyFilm & Audio Editing Metal ArtWatercolor
Music / Fine Arts Academy — Music 2 cr (trad) / 8 cr (FAM)
FAM Track — Required
  • Music Theory 3 mods · 1 cr
  • Survey of Music History 3 mods · 1 cr
  • Writing & Arranging 3 mods · 1 cr
  • Piano I & II 3 mods each · 1 cr
  • Private Lesson 6 mods · 2 cr
  • Senior Recital 3 mods · 1 cr
Traditional Track — Sample Offerings
Jazz Band I & IIModern Band Guitar I & IIDrums & Percussion Music EnsembleMusic Appreciation
■ Typical 4-Year Schedule — Traditional Track

This is a sample progression. Exact course placement will be customized with your advisor.

Subject 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
EnglishEnglish 1English 2English 3English 4
ScienceBiologyChemistryPhysicsScience Elective
Social StudiesAncient CivilizationsModern Global HistoryUS HistoryGovt / Econ
MathematicsAlgebra I or GeometryGeometry or Algebra IIAlg II / Math ElectiveMath Elective
LanguageSpanish 1Spanish 2Spanish 3—
Fine ArtsFine ArtsFine Arts——
PE / HealthPE & Health———
TechnologyTech Basics———
Electives—ElectiveElectiveElective
Credits / Year8 credits7 credits6 credits5 credits
■ Typical 4-Year Schedule — STEM Track
Subject 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
EnglishEnglish 1English 2English 3English 4
ScienceBiologyChemistryPhysicsSci Elective
Social StudiesAncient CivilizationsModern GlobalUS HistoryGovt / Econ
MathematicsAlgebra I or GeometryGeometry or Alg IIAlg II / Math ElectiveMath Elective
LanguageSpanish 1Spanish 2——
Tech / STEMComp Sci + Coding + 2 electivesWeb Design + Coding 2 + 2 electives2 Sci + 2 Tech electives2 Sci + 2 Tech electives
PE / HealthHealthPE——
Credits / Year8 credits8 credits6 credits6 credits
■ Questions Families Often Ask

Can my student switch tracks?

Yes, track changes are possible, typically between years with advisor approval. Early track changes are easier since required courses may overlap.

What if my student doesn't see an elective they want?

Independent Study is available each mod in most subject areas. Students can propose their own topic per mod with teacher guidance.

How do Fine Arts Academy tracks work?

FAA and FAM students complete the same core academics as other tracks but dedicate their elective time to intensive art or music training, culminating in a senior thesis or recital.

How many classes per mod?

Students typically carry 2–4 courses per mod depending on their track and credit load for that year. Your advisor will help plan each mod's schedule.