Upper School at The Chestnut Hill School | Private Elementary School near Boston, MA

Upper School at Chestnut Hill School

Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grades

The pursuit of knowledge and perseverance ingrained in the CHS education guides our oldest Hawks to become curious, confident, engaged learners who are able to express their ideas with increasing sophistication and depth. Students hone these skills through intentional curricula that include independent reading journals, math problems that guide students through finding multiple paths to solve a single problem, robotics challenges, and thoughtful integration between special subjects and core classes. In Upper School, students prepare to engage the world around them as curious citizens and informed scholars, building on their foundation of leadership and academic skills to enhance inquiry, activism, research, self-reflection, and agency.

We came to CHS from the public school system and we have been overwhelmingly impressed at the quality of education our kids have received here and the level of engagement from both the teachers and other community members. At CHS, our kids are held to a high standard and their teachers support them every step of the way as they strive to achieve their goals. In the end, their successes are so rewarding as they have worked hard and learned a lot in the pursuit of their objectives.

Shana
Parent ‘22, ‘24, ‘28

Our Upper School Program

Students sit at desks and work on their devices.

Math

DEI

Signature Projects

Upper School

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Social Emotional Learning

Each grade in the Upper School focuses on a specific habit of excellence in encouraging self-reflection, empathy, and agency. In 4th grade, students practice executive functioning skills. In 5th grade, students focus on growth mindset, and in 6th grade we have the unique program titled The Super Six, which identifies key traits such as social awareness, self-control, grit, curiosity, gratitude and optimism. This intentional work helps students build a toolbox to use in life as they prepare to transform tomorrow.

Leadership

Our Upper School students are given the opportunity to put leadership skills they have developed in the Lower School into practice. Students lead their own teacher and family conferences by presenting portfolios and identifying their own strengths and weaknesses in order to develop habits of excellence. Upper School students are partnered with our youngest Hawks as Learning Partners. This unique opportunity to cultivate kindness allows for 4th, 5th and 6th graders to engage in learning activities and foster a sense of belonging for our youngest students.