Upper School Curriculum

Worthy Work and Real-World Challenges Prepare Students for a Changing Future

Since its founding, Winchester Thurston has led the way in educational innovation. Our courses demand students think critically about complex texts, ideas, and problems: worthy work that captures kids’ attention. Our block schedule facilitates deep thinking, as students have fewer but longer classes each day.  Our creative teachers challenge students to stretch and support them when they stumble. And our pioneering City as Our Campus program teaches students to put their learning to use for the benefit of the broader community.
 

Through foundational courses and college-level electives, Winchester students develop the intellectual and ethical skills needed to be engaged, informed, and responsible citizens.

• They speak and write clearly in English and an additional world language.
• They listen to others with curiosity and respect. 
• They study the natural and social sciences to understand our always-changing world.
• They explore math and computer science to reason logically and problem-solve creatively.
• They cultivate empathy and imagination through literature and the arts. 
• And of course, they dive into all Pittsburgh has to offer and teach us..

WT's equitable and inclusive learning experience is grounded in the credo to "Think also of the comfort and rights of others." In the classroom and beyond, we encourage students of all identities to work together in a spirit of mutual respect, humility, and understanding. We want every student to feel a sincere sense of belonging and believe they can flourish both at WT and well beyond.

WT also works to support students with diverse learning needs. If a student has documentation of a disability, WT provides reasonable accommodations through the use of a support plan for students in 9th through 12th grade. Based on individual need, students may meet regularly with a Learning Specialist to support identified academic deficits or to support executive functioning skills. Social and emotional needs are also supported by the Upper School Counselor. 

For more information about support services at WT, please contact Dr. Amy McTighe at mctighea@winchesterthurston.org.