Prep School

Daily Life in the Prep School

Grade 9

Ninth graders are excited about the growing opportunities that are available to them in the Prep School. They can choose from many club and non-academic elective options, which are open to them as elective options. In the fall, they participate in the Peer Leadership program once a cycle. This is an opportunity for ninth graders to meet and get to know senior Peer Leaders and their own ninth grade peers in a small group setting. They go on the ninth grade overnight in September, and then they participate in a follow-up event in January. In the fall semester, ninth graders can go out to lunch twice a week, and in the spring semester they can go out three times a week. Ninth graders play on JV and Varsity athletic teams; they perform in the eighth & ninth grade musical and the spring play production. Deans meet individually with students at least twice a year and then additionally as needed. The class meets as a whole group several times a year.

Grade 10

Tenth grade is a year when students truly begin to define themselves. With more time for electives, they focus on interests that will take them through high school and beyond. They are encouraged to explore opportunities in the arts and technology and can even take multiple electives in science and history. Some students play on varsity teams, and actors and musicians play increasingly important roles in concerts and productions. In the spring they meet with their Dean to discuss eleventh grade and the opportunities and challenges it presents, including the increased autonomy in determining their coursework as upperclassmen and eligibility for Advanced Placement courses for the first time. The Dean is an important part of the team that will guide them through their choices and help them create a challenging, balanced program that will lead them to graduation. Students take both the pre-ACT and PSAT, and a spring meeting with the college counseling team begins the college process. For the first time, many students take advantage of our excellent internship program during the summer between tenth and eleventh grade.

Grade 11

Junior year begins with an individualized meeting with the Dean to discuss goals and plans for the year. During an overnight college trip in the first semester, where they visit several colleges and universities of varying size, juniors are each assigned one of three full-time college counselors. Day to day, the life of a junior at CGPS is busy as they take the fullest advantage of their increased autonomy, choice and responsibility. Juniors are crafting their course loads to best reflect their interests and strengths, as well as to support their academic, intellectual and artistic growth. Advanced courses are available for qualified students who are looking for a greater challenge. A junior’s daily schedule may have multiple classes in one subject area and/or advanced classes, reflecting the interests and priorities. In the junior year, relationships with faculty and staff become more established, as some students have had the same teacher multiple times. Juniors are also more adept at recognizing when a meeting with a Dean, counselor or other faculty or staff member could be helpful, and reach out to make that happen. Junior club participation is strong and many start to assume leadership roles. Juniors continue to choose how and where they will spend their free periods, whether eating lunch, socializing, studying or meeting with faculty. After school, it’s off to rehearsals and performances, practices and competitions. Attention also turns to preparation for standardized testing and matters related to the college application process. Meetings with college counselors are part of school days.

Grade 12

In a myriad of ways, seniors are the leaders of the student body. They are team captains in athletics, officers of Student Government and members of our selective Peer Leaders group. In the arts, seniors form the core of the Theater Production Workshop. They frequently have prominent roles in plays and musicals, and they lead our choral and instrumental groups. Academically, twelfth graders are taking the most advanced courses the school offers, from the Tufts Seminar, to AP English Literature and the AP-level classes in the sciences. Our elective system is designed to maximize the range of choices available to seniors, and they are allowed to build their academic programs. Seniors are respected by the students in lower grades, and the expectation is that they be good role models and respected members of the community. Thoughts of college loom large in the minds of seniors, and they work intensively with our team in our College Counseling Office to fine tune their college lists and applications. While it can be stressful at times, the college process is an enlightening one for our seniors as they more fully discover and develop their individual strengths and passions. Seniors are encouraged to be supportive and empathetic with one another as they navigate this process.

Student Counseling

The counseling division consists of four full-time licensed clinical social workers, providing students with support to ensure they continue to develop in a healthy, safe and thriving manner. In addition to individual work with students, the counselors lead the Issues groups. The Issues program is designed to help meet the complex needs of students as they progress through their adolescent years. The groups meet in relaxed settings to build rapport and connection with students. The ninth grade Issues groups meet once every eight-day cycle throughout the year, while the tenth through twelfth grade groups meet for one quarter. Counselors lead interactive discussions related to topics such as mental health, substance use and addiction, interpersonal relationships and healthy sexuality, including areas such as communication, self-advocacy and informed decision-making. While the curriculum encompasses a variety of topics, flexibility is maintained in order to meet students' needs and address concerns as they arise. Student counseling is a collaborative effort, and the counselors often work closely with fellow educators, deans, learning specialists, nurses and, most of all, students and parents. In addition, guest speakers from various health organizations and programs are invited to meet with students to enhance classroom discussions and further understanding.

The Dean System

In ninth grade, every class is assigned a dean who accompanies the group of students until graduation. The dean oversees each student's academic, social and emotional life, and frequently interacts with the students (through private, group and class meetings), their teachers, counselors and parents. They are instrumental in their students' well-being. The deans organize grade-level meetings with teachers and counselors, visit classes and clubs, attend school functions and meet with the Director twice a cycle to keep them up to date. This is considered one of the most meaningful programs at the School.

Clubs

The Prep School offers a robust club program, including many clubs related to world languages, music, politics, art, academic subjects, performance and much more. Nearly 100 active clubs meet during school hours, one period per eight-day cycle. Students may participate in one to five clubs each school year; these are full-year commitments. Because clubs in the Prep School do not compete with sports, theater or other after-school activities, club involvement is high, and most of our students actively participate and rise to leadership positions over time. Notable clubs include the Student Ambassadors Club, which provides student tour guides to the Admission Office; Columbia Prep TV and Columbia Blue, the School's television station and newspaper; MECA, the School’s diversity and inclusion club; Model UN, Mock Trial and debate clubs; and several music ensembles and singing groups. A full list of clubs offered can be found here.

Community Service Learning

Community engagement is a fundamental part of CGPS's core values and mission. In the Prep School, the Community Service Learning program fosters social responsibility, awareness, a sense of belonging and a deeper understanding of the world and its challenges. The program seeks to engage students in meaningful service, both on campus and off campus, that benefits their school and the broader community. The fundamental purpose of the program is to encourage students to embrace the values of responsibility, empathy and compassion. Further, the program aims to increase awareness of social justice, civic responsibility and a clear understanding of the specific needs of others in the local community. All ninth grade students are introduced to the Community Service Learning program through three “Service 9” workshops that present related concepts. Service 9 encourages students to reflect on how they want to engage with their communities, identify the issues that matter most to them and consider how they can apply their skills to make a positive impact. The CGPS Community Service website, which is regularly updated, provides specific service activities and contact information for students to explore. Throughout the school year, students work within the House System or clubs to complete service projects.

Internship Program

The Career Internship Program introduces students to a wide variety of career paths and provides them with opportunities for real workplace experience. Created by the CGPS Parent Association, what began 17 years ago with about a dozen students has grown substantially over the years. A dedicated group of parent volunteers and a faculty coordinator make up the Career Internship Committee. While the program runs in the summer, the committee meets regularly throughout the year and frequently updates the roster of participants (mentors), most of whom have a relationship with the School as either parents or alumni. Dozens of internships are available in a myriad of professional fields, including medicine, real estate, finance, education, marketing, hospitality, nonprofit work and law. In addition to career exposure, all interns go through professional etiquette training, including what to wear, office conduct and the appropriate use of social media. Students who participate in this program develop into resourceful and independent interns.

Navigation Tier

Breadcrumb