Upper School
An education that shapes students for the next four years—and the next four decades and beyond.
We offer a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in reflection, collaboration and thoughtful engagement with complexity. In the Upper School, learning is relational: Our expert faculty knows how to challenge and support adolescents as they grow.
Through classes, advisories, teams, ensembles, clubs and community activities, students gain countless opportunities to build skills, broaden their perspectives and pursue their passions. Each student can chart a path that’s uniquely their own.
Innovative Coursework
Upper School classes are designed to be interdisciplinary, incorporating experiential and project-based learning.
Independent Study
Students can design their own courses in conjunction with a faculty member and explore subjects they are passionate about.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Upper School students have frequent opportunities to leave campus to engage with and learn from others—in our neighborhood, in our city and through our exchange programs with international school communities.
Senior Capstone Experience
During their final semester, seniors complete a project of their own design, with a focus on public purpose and in collaboration with a local organization.
Going Beyond AP
Penn Charter has moved beyond the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) program in favor of our own rigorous advanced courses that enable innovative teaching and deeper exploration of content areas aligned with students' interests. It's a collaboration between teacher and students, and students can take ownership and self-direct their learning.
I send my children to Penn Charter because of its culture of academic excellence and focus on caring for the greater good. My kids are challenged in the classroom and encouraged to step out of their comfort zones, consider diverse viewpoints and explore intellectually. And what really stands out to me is how supported they are by amazing teachers and dedicated coaches who nurture their interests—while encouraging them to think beyond themselves.Stephanie walters opc '95
middle & upper school parent
Inquiry & Agency: Moving Beyond AP to Advanced Studies
In May 2021, Penn Charter, after a two-year self-study, announced that the Upper School would be moving beyond the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) program to develop its own rigorous advanced courses that would provide for innovative teaching and deeper exploration of content areas. Advanced Studies courses better align with the school's Strategic Vision of thinking differently about how to prepare students for life in a complex and changing world.