Miss Porter’s School operates on a modular block schedule. Students take two or three classes per 10-week trimester. Classes meet for 90 minutes per day to provide the conditions for the most innovative teaching and learning. Our teachers and students are not limited by the time constraints of short periods or the walls of the classroom.
Benefits of a modular block schedule include:
As our curriculum continues to evolve in response to the changing world and the needs of our students, we are focused on establishing courses and programs that are engaging, relevant, interdisciplinary and experiential in nature. Peruse our Signature Programs Guide to learn more:
With more than 100 course offerings in arts, humanities, languages, math, sciences and social sciences, students experience a wealth of opportunity in their academic journeys. Students are also empowered to push the bounds of their learning by selecting from a robust collection of Advanced Interdisciplinary Seminars (AIS).
Click here to view our courses.
Our Advanced Interdisciplinary Seminar courses provide rich experiences and cultivate exceptional thinkers. Unlike Advanced Placement (AP) courses that are standardized across the country and designed by individuals who do not know our students, our AIS courses are unique to Porter’s, designed for our students and based on our mission. They combine the intellectual rigor of AP courses with interdisciplinary, experiential and project-based learning. This approach pushes students beyond simply the retention of content for the purpose of passing a test. As a result, our students think more deeply, ask questions, evaluate information and make connections between related topics. Miss Porter’s School is the only place where you can experience these seminars.
At Porter’s, we practice mastery-based learning, which shifts student focus from grades to growth. We give standards-based feedback in all of our courses. Instead of exam periods, we have Demonstrations of Learning in which students share their learning with the community through projects, presentations, performances and more.
Greater transparency and more specific, useful information about student progress.
Development of intrinsic motivation and a growth mindset.
Enhanced consistency, fairness and equity.
The chart below outlines how proficiency ratings generally translate to traditional letter grades.
Since 2017, we have been part of the Mastery Transcript Consortium (MTC), a movement of schools aimed at enhancing the student experience and changing the way success is viewed in our society. For most students, success in school has been defined by final grades, averages and test scores.
At MPS, we support a mastery approach to learning, utilizing a system of standards-based ratings and feedback to support students in their learning and growth. Students in the class of 2027 and beyond will have access to the Mastery Transcript™ which will give them the ability to document their passions, achievements and growth over the course of their high school career. While Porter’s will retain the ability to produce traditional transcripts for a student as needed, the engaging and interactive format of the Mastery Transcript™ is designed to capture the interests, abilities and authentic strengths of each learner. It will allow our students to distinguish themselves more fully in the college process in ways that a list of courses and grades cannot.
Enables mastery learning and values the higher-order skills necessary for college and career success.
Mastery credits replace traditional grades and grade point averages (GPAs) and focus on knowledge and skill development.
Students share evidence of their interests, strengths, and skills with colleges and, ultimately, potential employers.
The 9th- and 10th-grade curricula provide the foundation for learning at Porter’s. Students in grades 9 and 10 focus on foundational courses and skill development. They are introduced to interdisciplinary learning through a humanities course, which combines English and history. The 10th-grade year culminates with a mini-Capstone project.
Intro to Inquiry
Intro to TIE
STEM 9 (Environmental Lab Science and Conceptual Physics)
Humanities 9 (English and History)
Language
STEM 9 (Environmental Lab Science Conceptual Physics)
Humanities 9 (English and History)
Art
Math
Elective
Math
Humanities 10 (U.S. History and Literature)
STEM 10 (Biology)
Language
Humanities 10 (U.S. History and Literature)
STEM 10 (Chemistry)
Art
Mini Capstone
Students in grade 11 are inspired to be curious about the world, to think critically about how to solve problems and to understand the role they play in our global community.
Embeds student international travel experiences into trimester-long interdisciplinary courses.
Connects students with high school girls globally to learn and collaborate as they address pressing global issues relevant to their own lives.
Students in grade 12 explore their ideas regarding college and careers as they gain exposure and experiences to the world outside Porter’s.
Students complete virtual, in-person and hybrid internships. In 2022-2023 school year, we will pilot academic courses embedded with internships.
Young professionals meet with students over dinner to talk about their work, research and academic paths.
Students enjoy informal discussions with Ancients of various class years and backgrounds to learn about their experiences after Porter’s.
The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) has three faculty — one full-time learning specialist, one half-time learning specialist and a writing coach — as well as individualized support from the math department each trimester. All Porter’s students are encouraged to utilize the supports available through the TLC, understanding that accessing and using resources are academic skills.