Expanding Our Reach Deepening Our Impact

Faysal can’t wait to meet new people and have a chance to play more sports. Nick is looking forward to learning how to drive. Brittany is happy to continue growing her friendships. Will is eager for more privileges. And Josh is excited for “new opportunities.”

These are just a few of the dreams and predictions of the inaugural TQS 9th-grade class -- students who graduated grade 8 in spring 2019 and are among the first to have the opportunity to stay on at our school through their upper years. 

It’s all part of the early stages of “Expanding Our Reach, Deepening Our Impact,” our ambitious five-year Strategic Plan that includes expansion into Upper School. This year, we welcome eight students to our 9th grade classroom. Each year going forward, a new grade will be added -- so our current 9th graders will have the opportunity to continue on in 10th grade at TQS for the 2020-2021 school year.

What makes the new TQS 9th grade so exciting and unique? 

• Currently, the 9th grade is the only class grouped by grade level. This brings together many different minds and personal experiences in the room, so diversity of thoughts and ideas can flourish.

• We will use project-based learning throughout our high school curriculum, differentiated for each individual child. 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 also a key component of our high school program. Many students are not aware of what opportunities lie beyond high school. At TQS, students will learn about various jobs in their community, as well as educational paths available through community colleges, four-year colleges and vocational programs.

• Various exciting projects are already planned for our 9th graders, such as mock elections and the design, budgeting and operation of a food truck. 

Our focus at TQS is to empower each of our students to let their inner light shine, and we believe the best way to accomplish this is by helping our Upper School students discover their goals and passions, and creating experiences that will allow them to reach their fullest potential. 

We are so excited about what the future holds for all TQS students -- and this year, we’re thankful that the future for these 9th-grade students is right here within our walls!

Want to learn more about the new TQS Upper School? Read our 5-Year Strategic Plan, and follow along with our progress!