Most courses meet for three 65-minute periods per cycle, but at certain grade levels, some courses meet less often. Winsor’s yearly calendar has two semesters, semester 1 (also called the fall semester) and semester 2 (also called the spring semester).

At every grade level, all Lower School students take English, math, science, history, a language, visual or performing arts, health, physical education, and a technology course. In addition, our academic schedule contains a band of community time devoted to clubs, advisory, Performing Arts Block (PAB), study halls, and town meetings. 

Lower School students are asked to make some choices each year regarding arts and other electives.

At the end of the academic year, all Lower School students lead a conference with their parents/guardians and faculty advisor. In line with the school’s commitment to student-centered learning, they share and reflect on their evolving understanding of themselves as learners and members of the Winsor community.

Class I

Entering Class I students need to choose a language that they will study for their four years in the Lower School and a Performing Arts Block (PAB) ensemble. In Class I, history, math, English, science, language, arts, and physical education meet three times per six-day rotation. All Class I students take a semester of library skills that meets twice a rotation and a semester of information technology, which meets once per rotation. Health meets for the entire year, one time per rotation.

Class II

All Class II students will need to choose a Performing Arts Block (PAB) ensemble. Class II students are expected to continue with the language they started in Class I, and new students choose one of the four languages offered. In Class II, history, math, English, science, and language meet three times per six-day rotation. Physical education meets three times per rotation. In addition, all Class II students take a coding course and health, with coding meeting twice a cycle. Coding rotates on the quarter, all students will have a study period in the quarter they do not have STEM. Health meets for the entire year, one time per rotation.

Class III

All Class III students will need to choose an arts elective for each semester and may also elect to continue participation in a Performing Arts Block (PAB) ensemble. Class III students are expected to continue with the language they were studying the prior year. In Class III, history, math, English, science, arts, and language meet three times per six-day rotation. Physical education meets three times per rotation. In addition, all Class III students take a quarter-long electronics course and a quarter course in 2D/3D fabrication, all of which meet twice per rotation. Health meets for the entire year and the students rotate quarterly between CAD, circuits, or a STEM study.

Class IV

All Class IV students will need to choose an arts elective for the first semester and may also elect to continue participation in a Performing Arts Block (PAB) ensemble. Class IV students then participate in the Shakespeare Project in place of an arts elective in the spring. Class IV students are expected to continue with the language they were studying the prior year. In Class IV, history, math, English, science, arts, and language meet three times per six-day rotation. Physical education meets three times per rotation. In addition, all Class IV choose at least one quarter-long STEM “studio” which meets twice per rotation, and health, which meets once per rotation. The other quarters, students may elect to participate in another studio or to have a study. 

The pages that follow contain detailed descriptions of each department’s courses and program.