Academics

College Preparatory with Room to Explore

Oldfields offers a traditional college preparatory curriculum enhanced by small classes and a supportive faculty. Classes meet in eighty-minute class periods, with students taking five or six courses. Courses are full-year and are awarded one credit. Students in Honors courses prepare for, and are encouraged to take, the appropriate Advanced Placement examination or SAT Subject Test.

Oldfields faculty prefer the curriculum flexibility of an Honors course; thus, while students prepare for advanced national exams, the AP designation will not appear on the student transcript. Courses offered at the Honors level are Biology, US History, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Physics, Chemistry, English 11, English 12, French Language, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, and Portfolio (Studio Art).

Since its beginnings, Oldfields has dedicated itself to the intellectual development of each individual girl given her particular learning profile. The academic program is designed to be rigorous and challenging, as well as personal and supportive of each girl, allowing her to expand and apply her learning strengths while also developing strategies to manage her learning weaknesses.

If you're a ninth grader, but you'd be better off jumping ahead to pre-calculus, you can.  If you learn better with extra help, you get it.  If you want to dig deeper into particular interests you can design an independent study with one of your teachers.

Independent study is available to upperclassman, subject to approval by a faculty advisor, the appropriate department head, and the Academic Dean.  To pursue independent study, students must have an average of 85 or above.

One teacher to every six students means teachers can really get to know you, what you like, and what your goals are.

  

Within our supportive yet demanding environment, each girl develops the courage to assume risks that result in true intellectual and personal growth. The result is a secure confidence in oneself that becomes an asset in college and in life.

Rank and Honors

Due to Oldfields' small size, class rank is not provided.  Instead, a grade distribution per course is provided.