Upper School

Each student in the Upper School is assigned a faculty advisor whose role is to support and scaffold their academic and interpersonal development throughout their time in the Upper School. In addition to meeting one-on-one with their advisor at least once a cycle, students also gather in small advisory groups on Friday mornings in place of grade-level homerooms. Friday morning group advisory allows students to develop mentoring relationships with students from other grades and fosters a sense of connection within the advisory group. Ninth grade students are placed in advisory groups with other ninth graders and a faculty member from the Grade 9 Team to facilitate the transition to the Upper School.

Affinity Groups provide Upper School students who share a common identity or experience the opportunity to connect, find support and inspiration, and share experiences in small groups. These student-formed, student-led groups strengthen our community by creating a strong support system for students to feel seen, while also engaging allies who wish to learn more in meaningful conversation. Learn more about our Affinity Group offerings.

At the start of each week, the entire Upper School gathers in the Theater for weekly announcements. Led by the Student Body Officers, this assembly time allows students from all grade levels to share important updates, events, and celebrations with the Upper School community while honing their public speaking skills with courage and confidence. 

Each week, the Upper School community gathers in the Chapel for a dedicated student-led service focused on developing a closer connection with Goal 1. Weekly chapel services are a time for promoting personal reflection, building community, and providing a space for students to explore themes of faith, compassion, and social responsibility.

Weekly class meetings advance the co-curricular program for each grade level (see Signature Programs) and provide opportunities for intentional community-building within the class. Meetings are led either by the Class Dean or by the elected student Class Officers. 

Committees, or student-led clubs, provide Upper School students with the opportunity to explore and pursue their passions in depth with other members of our school community and to form relationships with students across grade levels. Led by elected student leaders and supported by faculty moderators, our diverse, meaningful program of committees reflects the broad interests of our Upper School students. Learn more about our Committee offerings.

Espacio, a Spanish word meaning “space,” is a tradition practiced by Sacred Heart schools and communities around the world, providing a few minutes of quiet meditation and prayer each day. Time is carved out in the schedule each morning for all members of the Newton Country Day School community to set aside their work and pause for ten minutes of reflection.

Each day begins in the Upper School with the entire grade meeting together for attendance, announcements, and community-building as a class. These morning meetings also allow for a regular touch-point between students and their grade-level dean and moderators.

On Monday afternoons, time is set aside for Student Government, Honor Committee, Peer Ministry, and Peer Education meetings. Elected by their peers, these groups inspire others to better understand the mission of Sacred Heart Education. Each group convenes weekly to plan upcoming events and develop essential leadership skills with the support of faculty moderators.

W.I.N. (“What I Need”) blocks are protected times in the Upper School schedule when all Upper School students and faculty members are unscheduled. In the Sacred Heart spirit of “wise freedom,” students are given agency to determine how they spend this time. W.I.N. periods provide opportunities for collaboration with teachers and/or peers, student-initiated meetings or extra help sessions, independent work, or even social time to decompress with classmates.