Brookewood upper School
Upper school students (grades 9-12) take an intensive, college-prep course load with a strong focus on critical thinking skills. English courses focus on rhetorical writing, research, and the careful study of poetry. Students are placed in math courses according to ability, ranging from algebra through calculus. Science classes for upper school students include biology, chemistry, and physics. Students also take coursework in ancient, medieval, and modern history. The religion curriculum introduces Christology, theological anthropology, Church history, and ecclesiology. All students continue courses in Italian, and some students also study Latin I and II.
“The secret of happiness is freedom, and the secret of freedom is courage.”
Upper School Curriculum
Mathematics
Brookewood students complete four years of mathematics, progressing from foundational courses to advanced study. Early courses such as Algebra ½ and Algebra I provide a strong base in problem solving, algebraic reasoning, and geometry, while Geometry and Algebra II deepen students’ understanding of logical reasoning, proofs, trigonometric functions, and the connections between algebra and geometry.
From there, students may advance into higher-level courses such as Trigonometry with Analytical Geometry, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus. These classes prepare students for advanced mathematical thinking, with emphasis on functions, identities, complex numbers, sequences, and limits. For those seeking greater rigor, AP Calculus AB and BC provide the equivalent of one to two semesters of college-level calculus, covering differentiation, integration, polar coordinates, vector functions, and infinite series.
Students may also pursue specialized courses such as Probability and Statistics, which introduce statistical modeling, probability theory, and data analysis. Across all levels, the program emphasizes not only technical skill but also logical reasoning, problem solving, and mathematical communication—equipping students with tools to succeed in STEM fields, higher education, and beyond.
Science
Brookewood requires three years of science, though many students pursue a fourth. The program is designed to give students both a broad foundation in the life and physical sciences and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of creation. By graduation, students will understand core concepts in biology, chemistry, and physics while developing scientific reasoning, problem-solving skills, and an awareness of the historical development of scientific thought.
The sequence begins with Biology, where students study cells, genetics, physiology, evolution, and the diversity of life. Chemistry builds on this foundation by introducing atomic theory, bonding, chemical reactions, and the principles that explain matter and energy. Physics challenges students to apply mathematical reasoning to motion, forces, waves, and energy, with topics ranging from Newtonian mechanics to the basics of quantum theory. Electives such as Anatomy & Physiology allow students to explore the human body in greater depth, including systems, diseases, and medical applications.
Advanced students may pursue AP Biology or AP Physics, both of which follow college-level syllabi and prepare students for AP exams. Throughout the program, Brookewood emphasizes inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and hands-on engagement with the natural world—cultivating both intellectual mastery and a sense of wonder at the order and complexity of creation.
English
The Upper School English program at Brookewood School guides students through a rigorous progression of reading, writing, and speaking skills. Beginning in 9th grade, students learn to craft well-argued essays, organize presentations around a central idea, and confidently recite poetry. Over the course of four years, they advance from persuasive essays and poetry analysis to research reports with MLA bibliographies and, by senior year, college-level literary analysis and engagement with critical scholarship.
Each grade level centers on a body of literature that broadens students’ understanding of culture, history, and the human condition. In English I and II, students encounter classical and medieval works such as Homer, Sophocles, Dante, Chaucer, and Shakespeare, alongside later texts like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. These courses establish a foundation in Western literature, grammar, vocabulary, and poetry recitation.
By junior year, students shift to American literature, studying works from Hawthorne, Melville, Dickinson, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and Faulkner, as well as voices from the Harlem Renaissance and beyond. Shakespeare’s Othello is studied through the lens of rhetoric, and students hone their writing through both analytical essays and research papers. Those who pursue AP English Language deepen their skills with additional authors, advanced assignments, and preparation for the College Board exam.
Senior year culminates in the study of world literature, from Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky to Joyce, Woolf, and Waugh, with Shakespeare’s Hamlet as an anchor text. Students may also pursue AP English Literature, which expands the reading list to include Chaucer, Conrad, García Márquez, and others. In addition, an advanced Poetry course invites students to study and compose in diverse forms, refining skills of observation, memorization, and reflection.
Religion
Religion is central to the Brookewood curriculum, and students complete four years of study designed to form both intellect and spirit. The sequence begins with Introduction to Sacred Scripture, where students read the Bible as a unified story of God’s revelation, learning principles of interpretation and practicing prayer through Lectio Divina.
In sophomore year, students take Church History, studying the life of the Church from its biblical roots to the present day. This course highlights both saints and sinners, showing how the hand of God remains present in His Church across the centuries. Junior year focuses on Fundamentals of Christian Theology, introducing students to key doctrines—God, the Trinity, Creation, the Incarnation, Grace, Sacraments, and more—rooted in Scripture and the writings of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church.
The senior course, Moral Theology and Apologetics, prepares students to carry their faith into the wider world. Engaging St. Thomas Aquinas and other great thinkers, students wrestle with questions of virtue, freedom, suffering, and the existence of God. By the end of four years, Brookewood students gain not only knowledge of Catholic teaching, but also the confidence to live and defend their faith with clarity and courage.
History
At Brookewood, students complete four years of history, beginning in 9th grade with Medieval and Early Modern History. This foundational course introduces students to the major people, events, and ideas that shaped the Western world after the fall of Rome through the sixteenth century. In 10th grade, students turn to U.S. Government, with the option of AP U.S. Government, where they study the origins, structure, and functions of American democracy while cultivating civic understanding and analytical skills.
In the junior year, students shift to U.S. History, surveying the nation from the Colonial period to the present. Those who pursue AP U.S. History engage in a college-level study of key themes, events, and figures, learning to analyze sources, build arguments, and trace patterns of continuity and change. Electives such as the History of U.S. Presidents allow for a deeper dive into leadership and the role of the presidency in shaping the nation.
Senior year emphasizes a global perspective, with courses like Modern European History and World Geography. These classes challenge students to consider how nations, ideas, and cultures influence one another, exploring themes such as the rise of modern states, economic and social systems, globalization, and geopolitical history. Across all four years, the History Department equips students to think critically, communicate clearly, and connect past lessons to contemporary life.
Electives
In addition to core academic requirements, Brookewood students complete at least two credits of electives, giving them opportunities to develop creative talents, explore new disciplines, and cultivate a deeper appreciation for beauty and culture.
Visual arts offerings include Art, which provides hands-on training in classical drawing and painting techniques, and Art Appreciation, where students study design principles, survey major artistic periods, and reflect on the Catholic understanding of beauty. These courses prepare students not only for future study in the arts but also for a lifelong appreciation of creativity and craftsmanship.
Music electives allow students to engage both practically and historically. The Music course introduces choral performance, preparing sacred and secular works from chant to show tunes, while Music History offers a survey of Western music from the Roman Empire to today, with an emphasis on great composers and their contributions. Together, these electives enrich the Brookewood experience by cultivating aesthetic sensibility, cultural literacy, and joy in artistic expression.
Foreign Languages
At Brookewood School, the study of foreign languages deepens students’ understanding of culture, history, and communication while developing skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students are required to complete three years of language study, with opportunities to continue through advanced and AP courses.
Latin provides a foundation in grammar, syntax, and vocabulary while immersing students in the history and culture of Rome. From the basics of declensions and conjugations in Latin I to reading Caesar and Ovid in Latin III, students build both linguistic skill and cultural literacy. Latin study also strengthens English vocabulary through roots, prefixes, and suffixes, while connecting students to the literature and history of the ancient world.
Italian courses develop communicative competence and oral proficiency, beginning with simple vocabulary and grammar in Italian I and advancing through increasingly complex sentence structures, verb moods, and cultural exploration in later years. Literature, art, and music enrich the curriculum, with students ultimately preparing for the AP Italian Language and Culture exam. These courses emphasize fluency, real-world communication, and a deep appreciation for Italian heritage.
Spanish follows a similar progression, starting with everyday vocabulary and basic grammar in Spanish I and moving toward greater proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through Spanish IV. Students engage with cultural and historical contexts while expanding their vocabulary and grammatical command. Advanced learners can pursue AP Spanish, where they refine their language skills for academic and professional application.
