Upper Division

Overview

One of the most visible qualities of Horace Mann School's Upper Division is the exuberant energy of its students. That energy is evident in classrooms alive with discussion and inquiry, and it extends throughout the campus, in hallways, common spaces, playing fields, and performance venues. The Upper Division encourages and directs this energy through a rigorous academic program, rich with opportunities and challenges, and through a faculty dedicated to creating stimulating, intellectually vibrant learning environments.

Students develop a strong foundation in the liberal arts through a thoughtful balance of required and elective courses, independent study opportunities, and academic clubs. Success as a Horace Mann School student involves making purposeful choices—about interests, strengths, challenges, and personal integrity. Teachers, advisors, deans, and administrators provide close guidance as students learn to take responsibility for their education and uphold the school’s core values, including the Upper Division Honor Code. For an in-depth look at our curriculum, view our Upper Division Program of Studies. 

Faculty Excellence and Academic Support

Over 100 teachers conduct the academic program for more than 700 Upper Division students. More than thirty hold doctorates, and nearly all have advanced degrees. Faculty are selected for their intellectual depth, their ability to connect meaningfully with adolescents, and their commitment to bringing subjects alive in the classroom while maintaining high academic standards.

Academic support is an integral part of the Upper Division program. The Upper Division Academic Center offers additional instruction in the sciences and humanities during the school day, ensuring that students are challenged, supported, and encouraged to grow as confident, independent learners.

Education Beyond the Classroom

At HM, education takes place throughout the campus. Extracurricular activities are a vital part of the Upper Division experience, and students often find that some of their most important learning happens outside the classroom. With more than 100 student clubs and publications and numerous leadership opportunities, students play an active role in shaping school life.

Athletics and the arts are central to this broader educational experience. More than forty junior varsity and varsity teams compete in twenty-five sports, supported by extensive facilities and a program that emphasizes teamwork, perseverance, leadership, and sportsmanship. In the Upper Division Theatre program, academic courses and extracurricular productions exist side by side, with students producing three major shows each year and taking responsibility for all aspects of performance and production.

All students also participate in Service-Learning projects in the Bronx and the greater tri-state area, working with diverse communities and reflecting on their experiences as part of the Upper Division curriculum.

Preparing Students for College and Life After HM

The Upper Division program encourages students to take meaningful responsibility for their education, behavior, and conduct while fostering interdependence among students, faculty, administrators, and families. As students prepare for the transition to college and greater independence, the school maintains a close partnership with parents, recognizing families as essential collaborators in the educational process.

Each year, approximately 185 HM graduates enter some of the nation’s most selective colleges and universities. Beyond academic preparation, the school feels a deep responsibility to help students develop an ethical compass that will guide them through the intellectual opportunities and personal challenges that lie ahead. Horace Mann School students distinguish themselves through academic achievement, artistic accomplishment, athletic success, leadership, service, and professional exploration, ultimately pursuing the school’s vision of “great and giving lives.”