Upper School | King School

What's Possible When
WONDER Leads the Way?

At King, the smartest person in the room is not the one with all the answers but the one with all the questions.

Our students are curious—they aren't afraid to ask why, try something new, or get it wrong before they get it right.

Because if it wasn’t for curiosity, no one would have ever discovered that the Earth is round. If it weren’t for questions, we wouldn’t know that we can fly. If it wasn’t for exploration, we would never have reached the moon. Questions took us there.

We believe in the POWER OF WONDER.

Learning is driven by curiosity and exploration. Our inquiry-based approach encourages students to ask meaningful questions, solve real-world problems, and engage deeply across disciplines. With a flexible schedule and diverse academic offerings, students are empowered to pursue their passions, explore new interests, and shape a learning journey that reflects their unique strengths and goals.

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How Do Big Questions
SHAPE BRIGHT FUTURES?

Upper School students drive their learning, fueled by the desire to know more in the areas that interest them most, whether it's aerospace engineering, art history, or artificial intelligence. Together, students think courageously, learn expansively, and work collaboratively, building skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives. King graduates are ready to thrive in a rapidly changing world. The sky's the limit—and then some.

Learn about the upper school curriculum

Learning Through a
GLOBAL LENS

Global Education is woven through all disciplines, empowering students to think critically, act ethically, and engage meaningfully with the world. Through interdisciplinary coursework and real-world experiences, students may pursue a Global Studies distinction, culminating in a capstone project that tackles complex global issues. Travel programs deepen this learning—whether performing at the Fringe Festival in Scotland, exploring physics at CERN in Switzerland, participating in a school exchange in Japan, or supporting social and environmental initiatives in Costa Rica with the Orphaned Starfish Foundation.

Learn about our Global Education program

How Does a Nurturing Environment
FUEL STUDENT SUCCESS?

students are supported every step of the way by a caring and experienced team. Each student is paired with a Personal Advisor who stays with them all four years, offering guidance on academics and student life. Grade Deans and School Counselors provide additional support, helping students navigate challenges and stay on track socially, emotionally, and academically. Learning Specialists work one-on-one with students to build on their strengths, while College Counselors—introduced in Grade 9—offer expert, personalized guidance throughout the college journey, helping each student find their best-fit path after King.

Learn about our commitment to DEIB

Learn about our community

Meet Our Students

Name: Katie
Grade: 12
Hometown: Darien
Interests: Global Education, King Cares, Sustainability Club, Jewish Family Services Club, Student Council, Leadership Council, Peer Tutoring Mentor, Tour Guide, Lacrosse, Soccer
Favorite part of King School: Community
The sense of community at King is unparalleled. Everyone is genuinely invested in each other's success and well-being. This supportive environment encourages me to challenge myself academically and personally, knowing I have a strong network of people to rely on.

Meet Our Students

Name: Griffin
Grade: 12
Hometown: Ridgefield
Interests: Soccer, Basketball, Photography, AAPI affinity group, King Weekly Market Report, KingCast (King’s economics podcast), One Love Club, Business Club
Favorite part of King School: Relationships between students and teachers
 
New students should come to King because of how welcoming it is here. My first year as a freshman, I was super nervous about not making friends, but a lot of the older students took me under their wing, and helped me feel comfortable in my adjustment. As a new student, I was able to fit right in but also be myself.

Explore Our
PROGRAMS

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Clubs and activities in the Upper School are seen as co-curricular, not extra-curricular activities. They are a major part of the student experience. Students use clubs to explore passions, dive deeper into particular subjects, or extend learning from classroom experiences. Each year, students are able to propose new clubs, so the options are endless. 

Explore Clubs & Activities

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PROGRAMS

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We believe in a holistic approach to athletics, by fostering learning, leadership, and relationship-building. With 35 varsity and junior varsity teams across three seasons, upper school sports are both diverse and challenging. Many go on to pursue college athletics. 

Explore Upper School Athletics

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PROGRAMS

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Pursue an artistic passion or discover a new one. We offer robust performing arts options - theater, music, and dance - and an art and design program with opportunities in visual arts, fashion design, filmmaking, photography, design thinking, animation, and more. 

Explore Upper School Arts

Explore Our
PROGRAMS

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The programs below extend King’s curriculum by allowing students to explore topics or complete projects that go beyond formal course offerings. With guidance from faculty mentors—and occasionally outside experts—students take ownership of their research or project work, whether pursuing independent interests or participating in instructor-led group initiatives.

Independent Research Opportunities

Academics