Upper School
In a warm, caring environment, every Upper School student is seen, understood, and supported as the unique individual that they are – encouraging them to participate fully in our rigorous academic curriculum, as well as to become thoughtful, active members of our vibrant community.
Our Upper School students enjoy a wide variety of curricular and extracurricular opportunities here at LCDS — including many courses designed to include international travel — as well as close mentoring and small class sizes. With personalized college guidance starting in Middle School, our students graduate very well-prepared to continue their academic endeavors at their chosen colleges and universities.
Stan-X Program
LCDS is the only school in Pennsylvania to join STAN-X, a global network partnering with the Stanford University School of Medicine. A cohort of our Upper School students conduct original genetic research using fruit flies, to be shared with scientists studying diseases like pancreatic cancer and diabetes. Every participating student has the chance to be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, typically within two years – an extraordinary accomplishment for high school-aged scholars.
Global Programs
Our Global Programs combine rigorous academic studies with once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunities. We run multiple trips throughout the school year, all of which are designed to ensure that LCDS students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to thrive in our interconnected world.
College Counseling
Our dedicated College Counseling team empowers LCDS students and families to navigate the search and application process with the utmost confidence. We're proud that our graduates attend some of the nation's most prestigious institutions.
Harkness Learning
Harkness learning is a hallmark of our Upper School humanities courses.
In these classes, students sit together around a table and act as collaborators in the learning process – exploring texts and activities assigned by our incredible faculty. Our students actively wrestle with the complexities of the humanities and social sciences, while learning how to engage with one another respectfully and maturely.
Award-Winning Student Science
Student Artistry in Action
Additional Upper School Program Highlights
- Advanced Placement courses in 14 subjects
- Independent Study for advanced work beyond the curriculum
- World Languages: Spanish, Latin, and Chinese
- Outstanding preparation for university-level coursework – with a focus on reading, writing, and discussion skills
- Global Issues course for Juniors and Seniors that allows students to participate in an international diplomacy conference each year in The Netherlands
