Upper School (Grades 9-12)

List of 14 items.

• Advisory

  Our advisory program is designed to promote a partnership between students, families, faculty members, and each advisor. Advisors serve as academic coaches, mentors, and advocates for each student in their advisory. Advisors support students' academic, social, and emotional growth through role modeling, discussion, education, and organizational management strategies.

• Honors Societies

  Students have the opportunity to be inducted into nationally and internationally recognized honor societies, which celebrate academic excellence and leadership. These prestigious organizations provide a platform for students to connect with like-minded peers, engage in meaningful service activities, and may enhance their college applications. Membership in such societies not only acknowledges their hard work but also encourages ongoing personal and academic growth. Examples of these honor societies include Cum Laude, National Honors Society (NHS), National Stem Honors Society (NSHS), National Arts Honors Society (NAHS), National English Honors Society (NEHS), and International Thespian Society (ITS).

• College Classes at York College of Pennsylvania

  Upper School students have the opportunity to take college courses at York College of Pennsylvania (YCP) as part of their YCDS enrollment. YCDS juniors and qualified sophomores are offered introductory level courses in a wide range of areas. Both juniors and seniors have the opportunity to pursue higher-level courses if they complete pre-requisites in their freshmen and sophomore years. The course offerings are diverse and robust, and our direct relationship with the college insures that our students comfortably get accustomed to the challenge of college academics before heading off to their chosen post-secondary institution after graduation.

  
  YCP courses recently taken by YCDS students include: Calculus 1, College Algebra, Critical Thinking/Problem-Solving, Cultural Anthropology, Entrepreneurship, General Chemistry, General Psychology, Human Communication, Intro to Art Appreciation, Intro to Business, Intro to Philosophy, Intro to Sociology, Intro to Religion, Perspectives-Literature, Photography, Principles of Athletic Coaching, Principles of Marketing, Race-Gender-Sexuality, Russian 1, World Religions.

• Advanced and Honors Electives

  YCDS offers a wide variety of advanced and honors electives that are consistently changing based on student interests. Student-driven elective topics empower learners to explore their passions and interests in greater depth, fostering a sense of ownership over their education and a lifelong love of learning. Whether offered as a whole class or through independent study, these courses encourage critical thinking and creativity. Examples of advanced and honors electives include Organic Chemistry, Women’s History,  Histography, Anatomy and Physiology, Medicinal Chemistry, and Myths, Legends, and Folklore.

• Theatre

  The theatre curriculum is designed to foster a love for theatre, whether it be onstage, backstage, or in the audience. The York Country Day School theatre department offers diverse elective opportunities in which students can explore and develop their passion for theatre. Classwork among the elective offerings has included stagecraft, stage makeup, advanced acting techniques, devised theatre, theatre history, playwriting, directing, and stage management. 

   

  Students who excel in elective opportunities and participate in two performances can apply to YCDS’s International Thespian Society troupe. The International Thespian Society is an international organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting excellence in high school theatre, providing students with unique opportunities for recognition, leadership, and artistic growth in the performing arts. Thespian Society students are also invited to participate in a state theatre conference to enrich further their skill set through workshops, performances, and competitions.

   

  YCDS presents an upper school play and an upper school musical each year. Students may audition to act onstage or participate in any crew position such as stage management, lights, sound, run crew, or costume crew. These performances are highlights of the year!

• Clubs and Organizations

  Clubs and organizations are vibrant, student-driven initiatives led by enthusiastic students. Each year, a variety of student-led groups emerge, meeting during designated times throughout the school day. Leading these organizations demands commitment and time, fostering essential leadership skills. The list of student groups evolves annually to reflect the interests and passions of the student body, and students are encouraged to form new organizations with the support of a faculty advisor and fellow classmates. 

  
  
  

• Digital Media

  In the Upper School, students can explore a diverse range of elective courses in Digital Media. These offerings have included topics related to digital design, publishing, web design, game design and development, film studio production, and photography. Each course is designed to merge creativity with technology, allowing students to develop practical skills in real-world scenarios. Through the design thinking process and empathetic ideation, students collaborate with various school departments and external organizations. Their projects often serve real clients, both within the school and in the larger York community. These courses offer the students the essential “extraordinary by design” skill sets for future creative endeavors in the Upper School and beyond.
  
  
  

• Fine Arts

  Our Upper School Art program is rooted in the Teaching Artistic Behaviors (TAB) philosophy, emphasizing student-driven learning and creative exploration. Students enhance their skills in various artistic mediums through classes in drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media, jewelry design, and ceramics. They focus on the entire creative process: planning their projects with attention to both technical and conceptual elements, executing their work with intention and skill, and reflecting critically on their artistic choices to identify areas for growth. Throughout this journey, students engage with the elements and principles of design, deepening their understanding of core artistic concepts. Exposure to diverse techniques, artists, and cultural influences further enriches their creative perspectives.

  
  

  This comprehensive approach fosters essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-expression—skills that extend far beyond the art classroom. Students also focus on developing a keen artistic eye, refining their techniques, and engaging in higher-order thinking as they continue to build their portfolios.

• Service Learning

  Service learning is a vital component of the YCDS experience in middle and upper school. Service learning fosters empathy and civic responsibility as well as develops essential life skills and a deeper understanding of their communities. Traditionally in the spring, all middle students, upper school students, and faculty participate in a Day of Service at a variety of community centers such as animal sanctuaries, food banks, nature preserves, and senior centers. Students are required to complete a specific number of service hours each year.

• Robotics and Engineering

  Upper School students build upon the scaffolding of problem-solving developed in earlier grades by tackling real-world problems with engineered robotic applications and solutions in elective courses. Students may participate on a FIRST Tech Challenge team, a robotics program where students design, manufacture, and compete with customized robots in local, state, and international tournaments. Students also apply concepts of the engineering process to other curricular disciplines.
  
  
  

   

• World Language

  Our Upper School world language program offers both French and Spanish. The foreign language department teaches French and Spanish through the comprehensible input (CI) approach, rooted in Stephen Krashen's theories of second-language acquisition. This approach emphasizes understanding language in context rather than through explicit grammar rules. By engaging with meaningful content—such as stories, conversations, and cultural traditions —students develop their language skills organically, fostering greater fluency and retention.

• Twin City Exchange Program

  Students in grades 8-11 have the opportunity to participate in an exchange program with our partner school in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany. YCDS families host for 2 weeks in the Fall and German families host YCDS students in the summer. This program fosters cultural understanding, personal growth, and global awareness.

• Graduation Requirements

  Students must complete a minimum of 22 credits in grades 9-12, with a minimum course load of three (3) credits enrolled and earned per semester.

  
  Students must satisfy the Upper School distribution requirements for the core academic credits, minimum requirements as follows:

  • 4.0 credits of English
  • 3.0 credits of Mathematics
    • 0.5 credit of Finance (starting with Class of 2026)
  • 3.0 credits of History
  • 3.0 credits of Science
  • Three consecutive years of the same World Language: French or Spanish (8th grade course may count towards this total.)
  • 3.0 credits of Fine or Performing Arts, Robotics & Engineering, and/or New Media
  • 0.5 credit of Health and Physical Education
  • Four semester-length courses at York College of Pennsylvania

  Students must satisfactorily complete and submit evidence of 15 hours of service per academic year, at least 5 hours of which must be completed in the community.

  
  Students must satisfactorily complete and present the Senior Capstone project.

  
  Students must participate in a minimum of two co-curricular activities per year.

• Senior Capstone

  The Senior Capstone is a yearlong project that encourages students to explore a topic or career of their choice in depth, demonstrating their skills and experience in a given area. This comprehensive project culminates in a two-week shadowing or internship-type experience in the local community and a presentation that showcases their research, critical thinking, and creativity.