Upper School

The TQS Upper School was developed directly out of the need of our community, as part of our ambition five-year Strategic Plan. [Read more about our Strategic Plan Progress.] 

The Upper School focuses on empowering each of our students to let their inner light shine by helping them discover their goals and passions, and creating experiences that will allow them to reach their fullest potential. 

• Our education is based on the beliefs and testimonies of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Students embrace the principles of tolerance, equality and spirituality, creating a learning environment that is flexible, challenging and understanding. 

• We use project-based learning throughout our Upper School curriculum, which emphasizes inquiry, reflection, collaboration, learning through doing, and stewardship.

• Differentiated instruction helps students learn through prescriptive, diagnostic, sequential, structured and multi-sensory teaching. Students interpret and research a Driving Question and create in-depth research projects, supported by technology, field trips and guest experts. 

• Each student is paired with a personalized advisor under a coaching model where adults are the advocates and drivers for the student’s goals.

• Employment literacy is a key component of our program. Students learn about various jobs in their community, as well as educational paths available through community colleges, four-year colleges and vocational programs.

Executive functioning instruction helps strengthen students’ working memory, decoding skills, reading fluency, mathematical computation, organization skills, prioritization and time management.

The TQS Upper School is a four-year program, regardless of when a student enters. Graduation requirements include:

• A minimum of 21 credits, including 4 credits in English, 3 credits in math, 3 credits in science, and 3 credits in social studies. 

• 2 credits in arts and humanities, 1 credit in health and physical education, and 5 additional elective credits in courses such as computer science, business, vocational education or music. (State requirements)

• Physical education, culinary classroom, and business literacy.

The Upper School program and curriculum are designed to ensure students learn to:

• Apply skills and strategies
• Creatively problem-solve
• Achieve individual success
• Embrace differences
• Engage in trusting relationships
• Be compassionate
• Have self-worth
• Advocate for themselves
• Feel secure in their future

English: 4 credits. Students focus on each of the core components of the English language and integrate reading, literature study, writing, speaking, and research skills.

Math: 3 credit minimum. Course options include math intervention, functional math, pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, economics, financial algebra, algebra II, statistics, business math, and precalculus.

Science: 3 credit minimum. Each course is designed to help students learn more about the physical world in which they live as they strengthen skills such as observation, critical thinking, verbal and written communication, manipulation of equipment, and applying technology. Courses include physical science, environmental science, chemistry, physics, biology, forensic science, anatomy and physiology.

History and Humanities: 5 credits. Unlike conventional high schools, TQS Upper School combines history and literature with philosophy, economics, religion, political science, music, theater, dance, architecture, painting, and sculpture. Students will explore unfamiliar cultures; challenge their assumptions about their own; and learn to think critically, read analytically, speak articulately, and write persuasively.

Health and Physical Education: 1 credit minimum. Health-related fitness is a goal for all students. Students learn teamwork, cooperation, decision-making skills, sportsmanship and leadership skills. Areas of study include team and lifetime sports, yoga, cooperation activities, and physical fitness.

Elective Courses: All TQS Upper School students will complete four years of business literacy instruction and internship, as well as an additional course in cooking.

Affinities: The Affinities program allows Upper Schoolers to pursue their passions, use adult-world communication and organizational skills, and become independent learners through authentic projects and assessments. This two-hour class enables students to do more in-depth projects in science, computer, math, carpentry, and the fine arts. In the third trimester, Upper School students are given the option to team up with a faculty member to teach an Affinity to the Lower School students.

Various exciting projects keep our Upper School students engaged in learning throughout the year. Examples include: 

• Mock elections

• Field trips -- vocational schools, businesses, and project-related locations like restaurants, grocery stores and farmers’ markers 

• Food truck project -- students design, budget and operate during a year-long initiative

• Internships & on-the-job training