Upper School

Fostering Independence in Grades 9-12

Gilman's Upper School prepares young men to build the world of tomorrow. Students engage in a timeless and challenging college-preparatory program that emphasizes a strong work ethic, critical thinking skills, effective oral and written communication, and lifelong enjoyment of intellectual pursuits.

Students must take five major courses each semester (English, mathematics, world language, lab science, history). They must also complete courses in art, music, and religion, participate in either interscholastic or intramural athletics, and complete 50 hours of community service during their Upper School careers. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered in numerous disciplines, and our Tri-School Coordinate Program allows students to take classes at The Bryn Mawr School (BMS) and Roland Park Country School (RPCS).

Educating the whole boy reaches beyond classroom learning. A robust leadership development program and special lectures and daily assemblies bring real-world situations and applications to life. Our Device of Choice (DoC) program enables boys to best utilize the skills necessary to learn in the 21st century. Various extracurricular activities give boys the chance to try almost anything in a comfortable and collegial environment.

Upper School Calendar

Calendar RSS Feeds

Tri-School Intro to College Athletic Recruiting Webinar (for parents and students grades 8–11)

Nov 12 2025

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Zoom

Gilman Senior Retreat starts after classes

Nov 18 2025

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

All Day Gilman Senior Retreat

Nov 19 2025

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Gilman Senior Retreat all day

Nov 20 2025

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

School Closed for Thanksgiving Break

Nov 26 2025

all day

School Closed for Thanksgiving Break

Nov 27 2025

all day

Tickner Writing Center

Apply for Admission

Learn about the Upper School admissions process.

Tri-School Coordinate Program

Learn about Gilman's coordination with The Bryn Mawr School and Roland Park Country School.

Upper School Academic Offerings and Requirements

Standard Course Loads and Graduation Requirements

Grade 9: Six Credits

Freshmen take six courses that meet in the first three periods. Every freshman must take English, Mathematics, World Cultures, Physics*, and Modern or Classical Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Greek, Latin, Russian, or Spanish).

For their sixth credit, students choose from Science (Robotics), History (American Government), Mathematics (Baseball & Statistics), Art (Drawing/Painting I, Advanced Photography, Pinhole to Digital, or Sculpture), or a second language. Freshmen also take mandatory (non-credit) Health & Guidance and Freshman Fifth courses that meet during the afternoon.

*Freshmen who have taken the Gilman Summer Physics course will be placed in Academic Lab during their free period.

Grade 10: Six Credits

Sophomores also take the equivalent of six courses that meet in the first three periods. In addition to continuing with Mathematics and Modern or Classical Language, most sophomores take the three-credit Humanities sequence, with parallel courses in English, European Civilization, Art History, and Music History.

Those students who elect to take a second language or to continue their work in the visual arts are exempted from the Art/Music History requirement. Sophomores generally complete their Science requirement by taking Chemistry or Honors Chemistry. Sophomores also take a mandatory (non-credit) Sophomore Seminar that meets during the afternoon.

Grade 11: Five Credits

The standard load for juniors is five major courses. The College Counseling Office advises, "When considering a sixth class, on top of the core five, students and parents need to be mindful that academic success is a very potent factor in the admission process. If taking on the additional work necessary by another class will dilute the energy and success of the junior year on the whole, then adding an additional class will not be an asset within the admission process."

All juniors continue with English, Mathematics, and Modern or Classical Language, and all take United States History. Most juniors can expect that they will take either English or History at BMS or RPCS. Most juniors choose to continue with Science (usually either Biology or Honors Biology). Juniors may also select from a wide array of on-campus elective courses or Global Online Academy courses.

Grade 12: Five Credits

Seniors must take five courses that meet in the first three periods of each semester. Seniors must take an English elective each semester. Seniors have many options available for arranging a rich program from a wide variety of tri-school electives. They may also take a course at Global Online Academy. Their advisor and college counselors will help guide them toward wise selections.

Senior schedules that do not include courses from the five major academic disciplines (English, Math, Science, Modern and Classical Language, and History) will receive special scrutiny. With special permission, a senior may do an independent study with a Gilman teacher, or he might take an approved course at a college. Courses taken at educational institutions other than Gilman, Bryn Mawr, and Roland Park must be paid for independently and thus represent costs beyond the standard Gilman tuition.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to Gilman's requirements, the State of Maryland requires a student to take 21 academic credits for graduation. Students may choose from a wide variety of courses to complete their required courses of study.

Additionally, Gilman is a member of Global Online Academy (GOA). Juniors may register for a sixth course with Global Online Academy. Seniors may register for a fifth (or sixth) course. A GOA course may not be used to satisfy the graduation requirement in English.

English

Must be completed during each semester in the Upper School.

History

9th Grade: World Cultures
10th Grade: European Civilization
11th Grade: United States History

Modern or Classical Language

Must complete Level III; three consecutive high school years of the same language.

Art History/Music History

A required course for sophomores unless waived.

Mathematics and Science

Mathematics: Must complete Pre-Calculus.
Science: Physics or Physics (Honors) and an additional lab science course (Chemistry or Biology).
In addition, students must complete a total of six credits in Mathematics and Science.