Academics
Upper School | Grades 9—12
Director's Message | Upper School
A Message from the Director
Having been a teacher at Sierra Canyon before becoming the Upper School Director, I know firsthand that the most important thing a teacher can do is excite students about learning. Nothing is more rewarding for a teacher than to see a student get excited about a topic, jump into the conversation, and think about it critically. At Sierra Canyon, the spirit of inquiry is alive and kicking, fostered by a broad range of professional faculty with diverse backgrounds: teachers with PhD’s in their fields; lawyers; professional musicians and athletes; writers and producers. The experience that our faculty members bring to their classrooms is astonishing, and they share it daily with Sierra Canyon students, both challenging them and teaching them to challenge themselves.
Just as diverse as the faculty body is the student body. When I walk through the hallways of the campus, I encounter students who are recognized for their academic achievements, for their professional and semi-professional performances as artists, for their service to the community, and for their athletic accomplishments on the field. Sierra Canyon offers every student the opportunity to flourish, and provides the environment to explore new areas and develop new skills.
As a college preparatory school, we have one college counselor for every 24 students, with a collective 75 years of experience. This allows the counselors to meet with each student individually, to get to know each student, and to lead each one on a path to the college with the best fit for the student—from Ivy League to private liberal arts schools. Their experience includes extensive work at a variety of independent high schools, as well as selective college admission offices across the country.
Sierra Canyon offers a range of courses that challenges all students to reach their potential. With 32 Honors and 25 AP courses from which to choose, students learn how to balance their interests and prioritize their choices. Many of them are recognized by the National Honor Society and the Cum Laude Society.
Sierra Canyon offers a range of courses that challenges all students to reach their potential. With 32 Honors and 25 AP courses from which to choose, students learn how to balance their interests and prioritize their choices. Many of them are recognized by the National Honor Society and the Cum Laude Society.
By the time students finish their senior year, they start to look back at their time at Sierra Canyon and reflect on their experiences. Their change in perspective, the broadening of their vision, and the development of their critical thinking skills astounds even them. To hear them acknowledge their personal growth is nothing less than inspiring. This is Sierra Canyon School, and we welcome you!
Best regards,
Thomas Perry
Upper School Director
Upper School Director
Upper School Team
List of 6 members.
Lower Campus: 11052 Independence Avenue, Chatsworth, CA 91311
Upper Campus: 20801 Rinaldi Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311
818-882-8121
Upper Campus: 20801 Rinaldi Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311
818-882-8121
Sierra Canyon School is a private, independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory school for students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12 located in Chatsworth, California. The highly cosmopolitan campus community is reflective of the Greater Los Angeles area and the world at large. Students are empowered to realize their greatest creative, ethical, intellectual and physical promise through small class sizes, a diverse student-teacher culture and a family-like environment.
