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Bullis SchoolK-12 Private Co-Ed College Preparatory Day School

Curriculum

Upper School 9 - 12
Private High School
Private High School arts
Private High School

Preparation for the Future

The Bullis Upper School curriculum is challenging and personalized with a focus on developing skills needed for success in college and to enjoy a balanced, fulfilling, and meaningful life. Upper School students thrive in a caring and engaging environment that provides access to unparalleled resources and learning spaces.

We graduate committed and resilient students who are kind and considerate people. We draw on a wide variety of teaching practices and learning opportunities to cultivate respect, understanding, and compassion for others.

At Bullis, we believe in academic choice built on a solid foundation.

Bullis operates on a trimester system: the first trimester ends at Thanksgiving, the second ends in early March and the third at the end of the school year in early June.

Each student’s schedule is tailored to meet their academic needs. After students meet these minimum requirements they are free to explore electives. 

  • English every year, all year
  • 3 years of Social Studies
  • 3 years of Science
  • 3 years of Math
  • 2 years of World Language
  • A Visual or Performing Arts Class

As our graduates head to college, they are prepared with these courses, plus the electives, activities, service, sports, and leadership that they choose.

Upper School Signature Programs

Bullis Upper School offers planned courses of study in signature program areas — Entrepreneurship, Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM), Visual & Performing Arts (VPA).

The Signature Program model entails opportunities for:

  • Interdisciplinary study
  • Experiential education
  • Research-based culminating/capstone experiences
  • Student choice among curricular offerings

Signature Program classes enable students to prepare the foundation for a Signature Program honors capstone experience, if they so choose.

Bullis Signature Programs

Signature Programs

Entrepreneurship
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
Visual & Performing Arts
  • Business Model Design
  • Entrepreneurial Finance
  • International Trade & Business
  • Personal Finance
  • Computer-aided design (CAD)
  • Digital Media
  • Engineering
  • Making for Social Good
  • Robotics
  • Dance
  • Music Performance
  • Music Technology
  • Technical Theatre
  • Theatre Performance
  • Visual Art

What is Senior Capstone?

A senior capstone allows students to choose a topic that they are passionate or curious about and develop a year-long project. 

  • Seniors who choose to do a capstone project explore beyond the Bullis course catalog with an intensive, meaningful project of their own design —  in close collaboration with a mentor.
  • Capstone students present the results of their deep explorations to the community in April at the Signature Program Symposium.

Senior Capstone (Elective)

Entrepreneurship
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
Visual & Performing Arts
  • Year-long Startup
  • Customer Development & Design Thinking
  • Mentorship
  • Shark Tank
  • Year-long Project
  • Scientific Method of Inquiry
  • Mentorship
  • Signature Symposium
  • Year-long Project
  • Portfolio Development
  • Design, Create & Perform
  • Mentorship
  • Signature Symposium

Academic Resources

Upper School Course Offerings at Bullis

Upper School Academic Program

K-12 Curriculum Guide

Discover Upper School at Bullis