Co-Curricular Seminars
College Counseling
Grades 11-12 • Required
Students begin meeting with the College Counseling Office during January of 11th Grade. Between January and June, students participate in group college counseling sessions once or twice a month, in addition to their individual meetings in preparation for the college application process. The junior year college counseling curriculum is designed to thoughtfully guide students as they reflect on their time in high school and explore potential next steps beyond Park. Session topics include, college research, college visits, self-reflection/self assessment, list building, and an introduction to The Common Application. Juniors wrap up the year with a College Essay Workshop in June and return just before classes begin in the fall for a College Application Bootcamp. During the fall of their senior year, students continue to meet individually with college counselors and participate in group sessions on nearly a weekly basis, as they make their way through the application process. Each step of the college counseling program is student-focused and is designed to help make the entire process more manageable.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Courses
Grades 10-11 • Required
Building off of course work from previous academic years, the Upper School relaunched the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) courses for all students. Upper School faculty are participating in the courses as facilitators, and students help build curriculum by considering what is interesting and relevant to them. The new curriculum allows students to explore and discuss topics such as intersectionality, positionality, shaping societal norms, and beyond with their peers through media and other forums. As the discourse of DEI is constantly changing, the overall goal of these courses is to give students the tools and experience with engaging in topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion in order to prepare them to have these conversations once they have graduated.
Human Sexuality Seminar
Grade 11 • Required
The Human Sexuality Seminar provides essential information for youth to become healthy sexually liberated adults. This course includes exploration of biological, behavioral, and sociocultural components of human sexuality. The seminar specifically focuses on reproductive health, sexual behavior, consent and relationship dynamics, intimacy and pleasure, gender and sexual diversity. Faculty use various teaching tools including interactive group work, video analysis, group discussion, and personal reflection.
Note: Additional wellness programming is offered for students in Grades 11-12 during class meeting time. A sampling of programs offered include substance use prevention, mental health awareness, partner violence prevention, and testicular and breast cancer prevention education.
Wellness 9 and 10
Grades 9 and 10 • Required
The 9th and 10th Grade Wellness Series empowers students to explore various dimensions of wellness, encompassing physical, emotional, social, intellectual, cultural, and spiritual aspects. Through engaging discussions, hands-on activities, and developmentally appropriate exercises, participants will cultivate essential skills for leading balanced, fulfilling lives. This series adopts a comprehensive approach to nurturing overall wellness and well-being, covering a range of practices from mindfulness and sleep hygiene techniques to the development of interpersonal skills.
