Academics

Upper School

Preparing students for a boundless future.

It all comes together in the Upper School, Grade 9 - Grade 12. Our rigorous academic program is distinguished by its breadth of offerings that allow students to explore and expand their interests and passions. Upper School students develop independence and responsibility while they gain knowledge and experience needed to succeed in the world beyond St. Catherine’s.
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Upper School Highlights

List of 4 items.

  • AP and Honors Classes

    We offer extensive honors level and Advanced Placement (AP) courses across all disciplines, which provides our students with many options for exploration and mastery. With this wide array of academic offerings, each girl develops a class schedule that is uniquely tailored to her interests and passions. 
  • Independent Research

    Within the Armfield Science Center resides a state-of-the-art Independent Research Lab, which allows students to conduct year-round, college-level projects. Projects focus on a range of topics, from harnessing the wind energy from industrial air conditioning units to discovering the effects of biodegradable soap on the freshwater environment. 
  • Intensive Studies Program

    The Intensive Studies Program is a deep, personalized learning program that lets motivated students dive deep in the Arts, Entrepreneurship, Global Engagement or STEM.
  • Internship Program

    In the summer before her senior year, each girl has the opportunity to experience potential careers by working with professionals at places such as VCU Medical Center, Richmond CenterStage and CapTech. The internship placements are as unique as every student. 

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  • Saints4Life

    The Upper School Saints4Life Program is a co-curricular program that offers students 12 different grade-level experiences each year in topics such as Health & Wellness, Diversity & Inclusion, Local & Global Citizenship and Leadership & Empowerment.
  • X-Term

    X-Term is a unique year-long cohort with St. Christopher’s School. Students select topics that range from a story of jazz in New Orleans to a cultural exchange in Costa Rica, to community service at Boaz & Ruth. 
  • Our Brother School

    Just a few blocks away resides St. Christopher's School, a JK-12 all-boys' Episcopal day school, with which St. Catherine's shares a unique and compelling educational partnership. Expert teachers combined with intentionally designed academic curricula provide the ideal learning environment on each campus for your sons and daughters.
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Dr. Lara Wulff | Head of Upper School

The diversity of outlooks and interests of our students creates a lively atmosphere where learning both inside and outside the classroom are valued. We seek to celebrate each girl, to cultivate a love of learning that will last a lifetime, and to prepare our students to thrive in our complex global world.

Meet the Team

List of 5 members.

  • Photo of Frances Doyle

    Frances Doyle 

    Interim Head of Upper School; Associate Head of School for Academics
    804-288-2804 ext. 3208
  • Photo of Nicole Tapia

    Nicole Tapia 

    Assistant Head of Upper School
    804-288-2804 ext. 3867
  • Photo of Frazier Aronhalt

    Frazier Aronhalt 

    Upper School Dean of Students
    804-288-2804 ext. 3048
  • Photo of Mary Butler

    Mary Butler 

    Registrar and Upper School Administrative Assistant
    804-288-2804 ext. 3043
  • Photo of Whitney Shelton

    Whitney Shelton 

    Associate Director of Admissions, Upper School (grades 9-12)
    804-288-2804 ext. 3076

Upper School Hours

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  • General School Hours

    7:50-8 a.m.: Morning check-in
    8 a.m.: School starts
    3:30 p.m.: Academic day ends
  • After School Hours

    3:45-5:30 p.m.: Designated time for after-school activities for all upper school students all year

Let’s Get Started

The best way to get started is to come to St. Catherine’s for a campus tour, to catch a glimpse of School life, to meet our teachers and to see teaching and learning up close.
Located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, St. Catherine’s School is a private, all-girls pre-K, kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school. We provide a well-rounded educational experience for girls from communities across Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico and all of central Virginia. St.Catherine’s all-girls educational experience is rooted in more than a century of history and tradition. From our revolutionary past to our dynamic present, St. Catherine’s has always focused on preparing students for a boundless future.