Upper School is where students transform curiosity into confidence and interests into purpose. As they take greater ownership of their learning, they are challenged to ask meaningful questions, pursue ambitious goals, and embrace opportunities that prepare them for an increasingly complex and connected world. Guided by exceptional teachers and supported by a community that knows them well, students graduate ready not only for college, but for lives of leadership, service, and meaningful impact.
Advanced coursework, more than 100 electives, AP and Advanced Topics courses, and personalized pathways challenge every student to pursue their interests.
Learning with Purpose
Experiential learning, research, internships, GATEway, and Senior Capstone connect learning to the real world.
Leadership & Voice
Students become confident communicators, ethical leaders, collaborators, and advocates through advisory, clubs, service, athletics, arts, and student government.
Personalized Pathways
Diploma Endorsements, electives, independent study, and flexible opportunities allow students to design an experience unique to them.
College & Future Readiness
College and Academic Counseling partners with every family throughout the journey while helping students discover the right next step—not simply the next admission letter.
Global Citizenship in Action
Every experience helps students understand themselves, engage diverse perspectives, and become responsible global citizens.
By the Numbers
540
Upper School Students
32
AP & Post-AP Courses
44
Honors Courses
3
Diploma EndorsementPrograms
14
Choice Elective Credits Required
29
Countries Represented Across the MCDS Community
A Welcome Message from MICHAEL CULLEY, DIRECTOR OF UPPER SCHOOL
“When I joined Miami Country Day in 2023, I was welcomed into a warm, vibrant community where Spartan Pride shines in every classroom, on every athletic field, and in every art studio. The Country Day pledge places students at the heart of everything we do. This commitment has shaped a program that celebrates excellence in many forms and empowers students to take charge of their own learning. I invite you to explore all that the Upper School offers, from more than 100 elective courses to flexible learning modalities and a curriculum that extends far beyond the traditional classroom walls. Here, curiosity is encouraged, talents are nurtured, and every student can find their path.”
Michael Culley
Director of Upper School.
Academic Excellence with Purpose
Learning in the Upper School is rigorous, engaging, and increasingly personalized. Students are encouraged to think deeply, ask meaningful questions, and take ownership of their learning as they pursue academic pathways that reflect their interests and aspirations.
With an expansive curriculum that includes Advanced Placement, Advanced Topics, and more than 100 electives, students can challenge themselves while preparing for college and life beyond MCDS. Throughout their journey, exceptional faculty inspire intellectual curiosity, integrity, and a lifelong love of learning.
English
English
Students become thoughtful readers, skilled writers, and confident communicators through the study of literature, writing, discussion, and research. As they engage with diverse voices and complex ideas, they learn to analyze, question, and express their own perspectives with clarity and purpose.
Highlights:
Literary Analysis
Analytical & Creative Writing
Research
Seminar Discussions
Communication Skills
Mathematics
Mathematics
Students strengthen their analytical thinking and mathematical reasoning through increasingly rigorous coursework. Instruction emphasizes problem-solving, precision, and the ability to apply mathematical concepts to authentic challenges.
Highlights:
Mathematical Reasoning
Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Advanced Coursework
Information Needed:
Distinctive Upper School math pathways
Signature electives
Research or competition opportunities
Science
Science
Science courses encourage students to investigate the natural world through inquiry, experimentation, and analysis. Students develop scientific thinking while applying their learning to real-world questions and emerging challenges.
Students examine history, culture, government, economics, and global issues through thoughtful inquiry and discussion. Coursework challenges students to evaluate evidence, consider multiple perspectives, and better understand an increasingly interconnected world.
Highlights:
Historical Inquiry
Global Perspectives
Civic Understanding
Research & Analysis
Discussion & Debate
World Languages
World Languages
Students strengthen language proficiency while developing intercultural understanding through authentic communication and global exploration. Language learning supports the school’s commitment to preparing globally minded graduates.
Highlights:
Language Proficiency
Cultural Understanding
Global Perspectives
Communication Skills
Information Needed:
Languages offered
Advanced language pathways
Travel or immersion connections
Innovation & Technology
Innovation & Technology
Technology is integrated throughout the Upper School experience as students explore innovative ideas, solve authentic problems, and develop skills that prepare them for an evolving world. Students also have opportunities to pursue specialized learning through programs such as Impact Studio.
Highlights:
Innovation
Emerging Technologies
Real-World Problem Solving
Impact Studio Opportunities
Information Needed:
Additional technology courses
AI curriculum details
Engineering or computer science pathways
Visual & Performing Arts
Visual & Performing Arts
The arts provide opportunities for students to develop their creativity, refine their talents, and express their ideas through performance and artistic practice. Students may also pursue the Arts Diploma Endorsement, allowing them to study their discipline in greater depth while building a portfolio or performance experience.
Highlights:
Visual Arts
Music
Theatre
Performance Opportunities
Arts Diploma Endorsement
Information Needed:
Specific arts electives
Signature performances, exhibitions, or productions
Wellness & Physical Education
Wellness & Physical Education
Students develop lifelong habits that support physical wellness, personal growth, and healthy decision-making while participating in physical education and athletic opportunities.
Highlights:
Physical Wellness
Healthy Lifestyle
Personal Growth
Information Needed:
Physical education sequence
Wellness curriculum
Graduation requirements
Discover What Drives You
Upper School is a time to explore what inspires you, challenge yourself in new ways, and begin shaping the future you envision. As students gain confidence and independence, they make meaningful choices about how they learn, lead, create, and contribute. With more than 100 electives, Advanced Placement and Advanced Topics courses, diploma endorsements, leadership opportunities, global experiences, athletics, the arts, innovation programs, and service opportunities, every student has the freedom to build an educational journey that reflects their interests, strengths, and aspirations. Along the way, they discover not only what they enjoy, but what truly drives them with purpose.
Challenge Yourself
Pursue rigorous academics through Advanced Placement, Advanced Topics, research opportunities, and coursework that encourages intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and academic growth.
Discover Your Purpose
Explore more than 100 electives, diploma endorsements, and specialized programs that allow students to dive deeper into the subjects and experiences that matter most to them.
Innovate & Create
Bring ideas to life through Impact Studio, entrepreneurship, emerging technologies, collaborative projects, and authentic problem-solving experiences that connect learning to the real world.
Lead with Purpose
Develop confidence and character through student leadership, service, clubs, honor societies, athletics, and opportunities to make a meaningful contribution to the school community.
Explore the World
Expand your perspective through GATEway, field experiences, and global learning opportunities that connect classroom learning to cultures, communities, and real-world experiences.
Prepare for What’s Next
Work closely with College and Academic Counseling to discover colleges and universities that align with your strengths, interests, and aspirations while preparing for success beyond MCDS.
Signature Upper School Experiences
Learning Through Experience
Experiential learning is woven throughout the Upper School experience, connecting academic study to authentic challenges, real-world questions, and meaningful opportunities for growth. Whether conducting field research, participating in traveling through GATEway, completing internships, or developing a Senior Capstone project, students apply their learning in ways that deepen understanding and prepare them to navigate an complex world.
GATEway
Senior Capstone
Model UN
TEDx
Diploma Endorsements
Internship Experiences
Cyber Spartans
Thespians
Athletics
GRAD CLASS Traditions
Silver Knight
Cum Laude Society
Go Deeper
Global Studies
Global Studies Diploma Endorsement
Our Global Studies program prepares students to think and act as engaged global citizens. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum in history, economics, and world cultures, students build cultural fluency, critical thinking, and real-world perspective — through coursework, international opportunities, and engagement with global issues that matter.
For students ready to make a sustained commitment to their artistic development through advanced study, portfolio or performance work, service, juries, and a culminating presentation.
Impact Studio is where curiosity turns into action. Students step outside traditional classroom boundaries to tackle real-world challenges through hands-on, project-based learning — identifying problems that matter, designing creative solutions, and bringing ideas to life through collaboration and iteration. Along the way, students build core skills in innovation, design thinking, teamwork, and leadership, working alongside peers, mentors, and community partners to see their ideas through from concept to impact. The result is a program that empowers students not just to learn about change, but to actually create it.
The Upper School empowers students to pursue their passions through a rigorous and personalized academic experience. With more than 100 elective courses, leadership opportunities, global learning experiences, community engagement, and college preparation, students are encouraged to explore their interests while developing the knowledge, character, and confidence to make meaningful contributions in an interconnected world. Graduates leave Miami Country Day School prepared to thrive in college and beyond as innovative thinkers, compassionate leaders, and engaged global citizens.
Students begin their Upper School journey by reflecting on who they are, what they value, and how they want to show up in their learning and relationships. They explore identity, personal strengths, well-being, boundaries, and belonging while recognizing that honoring themselves also includes honoring the dignity and humanity of others. Students consider what is important to them and why, setting goals and establishing habits to chart their course in Upper School.
Students explore their capacity to create meaningful change in their communities. They identify issues they care about, examine the causes and effects of inequity or injustice, and consider how individual and collective action can make a difference. Through inquiry, collaboration, advocacy, and service, students learn that change-making can take many forms. They work to understand systems and take an iterative approach as they strive to connect rhetoric and action.
Students develop the confidence and skills to express their beliefs, perspectives, and ideas with clarity, purpose, and respect. They consider how their voices can be used to advocate for themselves and others, engage in meaningful dialogue, challenge assumptions, and contribute to conversations that matter. Students think purposefully about their place in the world and how others see them, telling their stories in ways that authentically connect with audiences.
Students reflect on the transition to adulthood and the relationship between independence, interdependence, and responsibility. As they prepare for life beyond MCDS, students consider how their choices affect their families, communities, and the wider world. They are encouraged to carry forward the values of empathy, fairness, accountability, and advocacy, recognizing that independence includes the responsibility to contribute thoughtfully and ethically to the communities they join.
Upper School is about more than academics. It is a vibrant community where students discover new interests, build lifelong friendships, and create experiences that shape who they become. Whether performing on stage, competing in athletics, leading organizations, serving others, or celebrating school traditions, students find countless ways to connect, contribute, and belong.
Athletics
Performing Arts
Student Leadership
Clubs & Organizations
Service Learning
Campus Traditions
Preparing Students for College and for Life
This section should emphasize Michael Culley’s point that counseling is a partnership helping students align their strengths, passions, and aspirations with colleges where they will thrive—not simply focusing on admissions outcomes.
By graduation, students leave MCDS with more than exceptional academic preparation. They leave with confidence, purpose, meaningful relationships, and the ability to navigate an increasingly complex world with integrity and compassion. Whether they pursue universities across the country or around the world, launch entrepreneurial ventures, create art, conduct research, or serve their communities, they are prepared to continue learning, leading, and making an impact. This closing should intentionally connect to the school’s mission of preparing students to “learn with vigor, explore with purpose, strive for excellence, and serve with honor, respect, and compassion as global citizens. “
How we connect reflects the strength of our PK3–12 community. Through school messages, digital storytelling, student publications, social media, calendars, and signature publications, families can learn more about the people, programs, and experiences that shape life at MCDS.
