12th Grade and Post-Graduate Year

Academics

Normally students carry five graded courses each term with the option of taking a sixth course upon faculty approval. The academic year is divided into three terms: fall, winter, and spring. Classes are held Monday through Friday; there are no Saturday classes. Both philosophically and practically, we believe that this  schedule  is best suited to students’ sound educational development.

Shortly after indicating their intention to attend Deerfield, new seniors and post-graduates will be assigned a  college advisor . At that time, advisors will be in touch with students to assist in course selection and discuss college plans to ensure that they are well prepared for the college process before they arrive in September.

Senior students are able to choose from one of the many English IV study topics offered, and post-graduate students may choose from a variety of English electives. With those exceptions, entering students are not required to adhere to a pre-determined program. Courses taken as part of a previous academic secondary school program will be considered for credit toward a Deerfield diploma. Students will be placed in subjects such as  math ,  science , and  foreign language  according to their demonstrated ability. For some courses placement will be determined by a student’s previous program, and for other courses a placement test will be required for enrollment. Because of the breadth of course offerings at the senior level, the senior and post-graduate year curriculums are largely based on electives of the student’s choosing based on his or her needs, interests, and college aspirations.

12th Grade Usual Program of Courses

• English IV
• Mathematics
• An elective
• An elective
• An elective

Post-Graduate Year Program of Courses

• English elective
• An elective
• An elective
• An elective
• An elective

Co-Curriculars

All students are required to participate in a  co-curricular  activity each term. Students may choose from  interscholastic  or  intramural  athletic teams,  theater ,  dance , or  community service  activities. Co-curriculars meet four afternoons per week, with athletic games, rehearsals, or extended activities scheduled for Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.

Residential Life

Deerfield gives much thought and attention to creating a warm and supportive community on campus. Twelfth grade students live in single gender dorms comprised of junior, senior, and post-graduate year students. Within each dorm, the  corridor  is the focus of life for boarding students. Typically, 12 to 15 students live with a faculty resident on a corridor made up of single and double rooms.

The faculty maintains a high level of involvement in the non-academic lives of the students, and nowhere is this more telling than in the dormitory. Weeknight  study hours  are administered in upper-class dorms, but students are allowed to choose a suitable place of study on campus in lieu of studying in their rooms. Faculty residents regularly check in with students, whether it be in a  Connect 4  meeting or a dorm feed, where students can snack and socialize after study hours. The  faculty’s commitment  to mentoring students, along with their good humor and flexibility, is central in shaping the positive atmosphere found across the Deerfield campus.