Upper School

The Upper School represents the culmination of a program that develops a student’s confidence in herself and her growing intellectual abilities. The focus of the Upper School is on a rich and vigorous academic, athletic and artistic curriculum, centered in a strong community that supports students. This ultimately creates resourceful young women who are prepared to make a difference in the world outside Brearley.

Brearley's mission asks us to cultivate a commitment to the greater good. We believe that leadership and service go hand in hand. Upper School students are encouraged to fully participate in building an active and inclusive community that works together to address the complex issues facing our world today.

Betty Noel-Pierre, PhDHead of Upper School Student Life

No One
Brearley Girl

Brearley students are multidimensional; we like to say there is no ONE Brearley girl. Upper School students are involved in a myriad of activities, both in and outside of the classroom, that allow them to pursue their passions. Everyone can find something they love to do at Brearley. Are you a soccer player who loves the cello and writes for the literary magazine? Are you a thespian who is passionate about the environment and loves robotics? Are you a budding scientist who works in a research lab but also plays chess and enjoys ceramics? Unsure where your interests lie but are curious and want to explore your opportunities? Then you belong here.

Faculty Mentors
and Advisors

Our Upper School students benefit from a cadre of dedicated faculty who guide them to stretch themselves intellectually, emotionally and socially. Highly accomplished in their fields, they are attuned to each student’s aspirations and pace of development, her personality and talents. By asking much, and by serving as role models, our teachers inspire students to push beyond their perceived limits. They are an integral part of the Brearley experience and help shape our students into independent, confident women who are committed to the greater good.

Belonging and Building a Respectful Community

Our students have multiple opportunities to develop their individual voices, learn how to have difficult yet respectful conversations and assume responsibility for themselves and for others. They learn how to lead and how to encourage others to succeed. Through student-run affinity groups, clubs and self-government, they develop a true sense of belonging, knowing they are valued and celebrated for who they are. Belonging is more than a buzzword here; it is an inherent part of who we are as a school.

Joy in Learning

Whether academic or extracurricular, our students do not shy away from challenges; rather they love to grapple with and overcome them. Class schedules are customized and tailored each year to meet individual needs, helping students balance curricular and co-curricular demands. Students also have greater choices in their coursework each year. This culminates in Senior Spring when each student immerses herself in a curriculum of her own making. For example, students can take minicourses, participate in internships or volunteer with an organization whose mission resonates with her. These projects capture the intellectual vibrancy that runs through the school.