Upper School
Single Hero
Our Program
English
The Haverford English department offers engaging opportunities to develop skills of critical reading, writing, and oration. The program demonstrates a tradition of excellence, with students frequently receiving honors and awards at both the local and national level. Award-winning student publications, including the student newspaper The Index and the literary magazine Pegasus, welcome new contributors. At the Edward R. Hallowell Literary Lecture, students meet and learn from their literary heroes.
History
Haverford boys study the past to understand the present and anticipate the future. They explore their interests, walking in the shoes of museum curators, Supreme Court judges, and ambassadors. They study the world and then go in-depth in their analysis of United States history. At the Davis R. Parker Memorial History Lecture, they meet top historians expanding our understanding of historical events. Occasionally, they share their learning as guest lecturers engaging students in the Lower and Middle School divisions.
Mathematics
Engaging courses such as statistics, economics, finance, Advanced Topics in Mathematics, and programming emphasize practical and applied mathematics. Students enjoy many opportunities to test their skills, competing with peers in Math Club or individually on the American Math Contest exam.
Modern and Classical Languages
The Haverford School offers three languages to our Upper School students: Latin, Spanish, and Chinese. We craft authentic experiences for cross-cultural engagement, immersing students in the language of their choice. These experiences lead to excellence, with students receiving recognition from the Montgomery County Association of Foreign Language, the Philadelphia Classical Society, and The American Association of the Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese.
Performing Arts
The performing arts at Haverford build confidence. They create opportunities for collaboration—involving students' peers from both Haverford and our sisters schools. Young musicians learn dedication through practice and performance.
Science
Our science curriculum fully embraces the wonder of scientific discovery, while building ethical decision-making skills and a sense of global citizenship. Engaging and relevant electives, leading research equipment, and exciting partnerships combine for a dynamic science curriculum. At the William Edward Gwinn '86 Memorial Lecture, Haverford students enjoy the opportunity to meet and engage with leaders in various fields of scientific research.
Visual Arts
The Haverford School offers multiples outlets for the visual arts, including woodworking, ceramics, digital design, and the fine arts. Through indulging and expanding their creativity, students practice self expression. The visual arts teach students how to give and receive helpful criticism.
Curriculum
English
All students take a year-long English course every year, alongside others in their same Form. In their final semester, students select an elective to complete their English requirement.
History
All students complete three year-long survey courses: Ancient World History, Modern World History, and United States History. These courses prepare students for their choice of history elective.
Mathematics
All students complete three years of mathematics. Most students take four years of math and many choose to add a math elective.
Modern and Classical Languages
All students complete at least two years of study in one (or, in some cases, two) of three language offerings: Chinese, Latin, or Spanish.
Music
The Upper School expands the opportunities for music making with courses on everything from the production of music and music theory to songwriting and guitar.
Science
All students complete three years of core laboratory science in physics, chemistry, and biology. These courses build skills sequentially, preparing students for college and career-focused electives.
Theater
In three courses, Haverford students experience every aspect of theater, from learning acting technique and engaging in stage combat to forming a theater company and producing a play.
Visual Arts
After taking the Visual Art: Foundations course, students have their choice of ceramics, woodworking, 2D and 3D art, and digital art courses.
Day in the Life
At the start of each school year, Form VI students lead partners in the kindergarten class through the Walk of Virtues, a pathway inscribed with the School's core virtues, to set the tone for the new school year.
Upper School student Nasir describes how the School's core virtues are forming the man he will become.
Haverford performing arts department chair Darren Hengst led students from Haverford, Agnes Irwin, Baldwin, Shipley, Merion Mercy, and Notre Dame in a virtual performance of "You'll Never Walk Alone."
Meet the Head of the Upper School
Mr. Mark Fifer
Mark Fifer joined The Haverford School in 2004 as a faculty member in the history department and coach in the basketball and baseball programs. Prior to becoming Head of Upper School, Fifer served as Upper School Dean of Students. He earned an M.S.Ed in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009 and since 2015 has served as a university assignment mentor in the program.
Program Spotlight
