Special Studies

Upper School • Learning Lived

Special Studies

The centerpiece of the Upper School’s Learning Lived programming is our Special Studies Week, during which all 9th through 12th graders step out of their regular academic schedule and into immersive, exciting experiences designed especially for them by SDS faculty members. Students actively put their hands, as well as their heads, into an area of personal interest: delving into a subject of study, a particular skill, a specific place, or a vocational field that calls to each of them.

For students hoping to explore further afield, we offer trips to extraordinary places. In the past year, Griffins have toured Culloden Battlefield in Scotland, studied Mexican culture in Puebla, Mexico, and reveled in the rich diversity of the Lowcountry.

For others, who feel called to focus on their own development or their own community, we offer meaningful opportunities to investigate potential college choices, do community service closer to home, or engage with local businesses and professions.

Whether students choose intensive study, a bold journey, or some quiet reflection, our students emerge from Special Studies Week, and all our Learning Lived programs, better equipped to meet their next steps with competence, courage, and clarity.

2026–27 Special Studies Guide

The Year Around the Week

Special Studies is a required Upper School program. Students participate in lessons, enrichment activities, and preparation meetings in the months leading up to and following Special Studies Week, and all students produce a final reflective project that demonstrates their learning throughout the year.

Completing the Special Studies requirements earns 0.5 Special Studies credits each year, designated as Pass/Fail on the SDS transcript.