ECFS Academics

In Ethics classes, students develop skills of critical inquiry and self-examination at each stage of development. These courses support social, emotional, and academic development, as well as moral development. As students mature, they have opportunities to explore their social identities and examine the nuances of ethical decision-making. Our goal at every stage is to challenge students to consider issues through multiple ethical lenses, excavate and develop their belief systems, cultivate critical literacy, and grapple with questions they find relevant and engaging.

The History Department’s primary mission is to instill an understanding that the past has shaped and influenced the present. Through analysis of a multicultural range of historical narratives and concepts, students develop effective communication skills as speakers and writers. While developing critical reading, writing, and researching skills, students learn to interrogate sources, assess historical and current events, and construct evidence-based arguments and analysis. Students consider ethical dilemmas from the past and present, as well as their impact and the outcomes they have had on people and societies. 

The English program develops passionate and discerning readers, writers, and scholars who use the power of language to shape ideas and inspire change in the world. Through engagement with literature, students gain insight into themselves, their communities, and the diverse world around them. Writing instruction emphasizes clarity, coherence, and purpose, challenging students to refine their craft and express themselves with precision and an original voice.

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages empowers students to develop linguistic and cultural fluency that will allow them to thrive in authentic situations. Students are challenged to develop curiosity and confidence as lifelong learners of languages and to embrace ethical values as global citizens. Our program offers classes in Mandarin Chinese, French, Spanish, and Latin, and the work is anchored in our School’s values of academic excellence, progressive education, and ethical learning. In their language classes, our students gain rich communication skills, empathy, and global awareness.

Courses in the Science Department encourage exploration and hands-on experimentation, encouraging  students to question, investigate, and discover.  Students develop foundational and advanced scientific skills while also learning about historical perspectives and the diverse groups of people who have contributed to the body of scientific knowledge. Our varied learning environments — from labs to fieldwork — provide students with a range of authentic educational opportunities that reinforce core concepts and support both independent and collaborative research. 

The Math Department challenges our students to engage deeply with mathematical skills, concepts, analytical thinking, and problem-solving. Within a progressive and supportive framework, instruction centers on student engagement and fluency in important skills. Lessons are tailored to the individual needs of each student, and we prepare them for advanced coursework,  higher-level reasoning, and real-world application of mathematics.