Upper School (9-12)
Passionate Learners, Unlimited Futures
Lake Ridge Academy's Upper School provides a rigorous, college preparatory education in a vibrant, opportunity-filled learning environment. Inspired by an exceptional faculty, Upper School students actively engage in an immersive education, developing an intellectual confidence and a lifelong love of learning.
While the Upper School challenges students with AP and Honors courses and unique graduate certificate programs, it also supports them through a close, highly personalized community of teachers and students.
With its rigorous curriculum, myriad extracurricular offerings, and focus on values and service, the Upper School graduates well-rounded, capable students, who are not only sought by the nation's top colleges, but who succeed once there.
Upper School Highlights
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College Prep
Our environment of academic rigor well-prepares students for college, enabling them to succeed and pursue advanced college coursework earlier than their peers. Individualized college counseling begins in 9th grade.
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Centers of Excellence Graduation Certificate Programs
Students with a passion for fine arts, scientific research, engineering, or global affairs can gain college-level work experience and further develop their skills by joining a graduation certificate program.
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House System
The entire Upper School gets to know one another through our house system. The four houses, which mix students of all grades, lead campus activities ranging from social events to service opportunities to house competitions.
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Athletics
Our no-cut policy enables all interested students to participate in athletics. In fact, 70 percent of our Upper School students participate in an interscholastic sport, and many compete in more than one sport.
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Student Clubs
Upper School students can choose from nearly 20 clubs and organizations, an unusually large number for a school our size. Students can explore their interests, develop their talents, and feel an integral part of our active campus life.
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Honor Code
Ethics are lived out on our campus. The Upper School honor code – guided by our school's four core values of integrity, respect, scholarship and personal best – is led and administered by our Upper School students.
The Upper School Experience
All the teachers really motivate and push the students to be creative and come up with the most innovative solutions possible.
Meet the Upper School Director
The Upper School values a student-centered experience by recognizing each student's unique talents and voices, and by providing a wide variety of courses so each student can choose their passion. We also do this in a small, intimate setting where students can be curious and courageous learners.