Upper School
Once our students reach Upper School, they really begin to soar as independent thinkers. They are taught to think critically and make God centered conclusions based on the academic knowledge they have gained. Our students are focused on learning, integrating, and communicating truth as they are given the opportunity to master a difficult but rewarding college preparatory curriculum. Every student in grades 7th - 12th uses their Google Chromebook to integrate technology into their daily learning and has access to state of the art labs. With 100% graduation rate and over $3.4 million in scholarships awarded to last year’s graduates alone, our students leave us prepared and confident to make a difference in colleges across the country.
The school day for Upper School starts at 8:00 am and ends at 3:15 pm. Doors open at 7:30 am for students. All students not participating in after-school activities will need to be picked up between 3:15 pm and 3:45 pm.
- Spiritual Life
- 7th-8th Grades
- 9th-12th Grades
- Course Catalog
- Honor Societies
- College Counseling
- College Scholarship Opportunities
- FAFSA 101
- School Counseling
- Chapels & Advisory
- Fall Retreats
- Spring Trips
- Testing
- Daily Schedules
Spiritual Life
The spiritual life of our students is a priority here at Calvary Day School. Through daily prayer, Bible study, weekly chapel worship services, small group discussions, yearly retreats, and numerous other impromptu spiritual interactions, we are intentional in developing our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Additionally, students active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes meet every Thursday at 7:24 am, providing another valuable opportunity for spiritual growth and fellowship.
7th-8th Grades
Our 7th & 8th grade curriculum is designed to prepare CDS students to qualify for Advanced Placement courses during their high school years. Our goal is that students will be able to perform academically at their highest God-given level. The curriculum places strong emphasis on writing skills and mastery of English grammar and mathematics concepts. In addition to core subjects, all students participate in exploratory classes (electives), choosing from Rhetoric, drama, P.E. (required class), Beginning Chorus, Art 1 & 2, math tutorial, Spanish, Computer Science, Band 1 & 2, STEM, and Christianity & Modern Media.
Click Here for the 7th-8th Grade Course Catalog.
9th-12th Grades
Striving to achieve excellence in academics, Calvary Day School offers a college preparatory curriculum through honors and Advanced Placement courses. Students enrolled in honors or Advanced Placement courses have been recommended by their teachers based on grades and standardized test results. CDS has dual enrollment agreements with area colleges and universities. Credits are awarded on an annual basis.
The CDS class schedule allows students to take up to seven courses. In addition to core classes, students may select from a variety of elective options such as wellness, computer science, comparative religions, yearbook, rhetoric, art, band, theater, and choir. Students in their senior year are encouraged to participate in the Senior Internship Program where they are able to learn first-hand about careers that interest them. The goal is to provide real-life work experience as they learn life skills to help them succeed in a future career.
Click Here for the 9th-12th Grade Course Catalog.
Course Catalog
Honor Societies
- National Honor Society
- Mu Alpha Theta
- Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica
- Science National Honor Society
- National English Honor Society
- Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society
- International Thespian Society
- National Junior Honor Society
National Honor Society
Calvary Day School sponsors the C. Mark Corts Chapter of the National Honor Society. This is the premier honor organization for our Upper School students. NHS members are inducted in the spring. The National Honor Society emphasizes scholarship, leadership, character, and service. To be eligible for consideration for membership, a student must meet these qualifications:
● Must be a junior or senior and completed 2 consecutive semesters at CDS.
● Must have a 4.2 weighted GPA.
● Must submit a signed application, HS resume, essay and letter of recommendation.
● Must have confirmation from the CDS faculty council as they consider each nominee in the area of service, leadership and character.
Mu Alpha Theta
Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica
Also known as the Spanish National Honor Society, Calvary Day School sponsors the Miguel de Cervantes Chapter. The Society is a national and international academic honor society for students who excel in the study of high school Spanish and Portuguese. Students:
● Must be actively enrolled in their sixth semester of Spanish or higher.
● Must have maintained a 93 or above average in Spanish classes for the past 3 consecutive semesters.
● Must have completed a minimum of 1 full semester of Spanish at CDS.
● Other than graduating seniors must also show intent to continue studying Spanish by registering for advanced courses offered in Spanish.
Science National Honor Society
The vision of the Science National Honor Society is to encourage scientific and intellectual thought; encourage a dedication to the pursuit of scientific knowledge that benefits all people; to appreciate God’s love and concern for all living things by learning all we can about His incredible Creation. In order to be eligible for selection for Chapter 1204 of the Science National Honor Society a student must:
● Be currently enrolled in or have completed 4 science courses (AP Chem and AP bio with their respective labs will count as 2 courses; AP Psych can count as the 4th science if the student has 3 other SS credits).
● Be enrolled in honors or AP level Science courses beyond the freshman year.
● Have maintained a 90 or above average each semester in all non-AP level Science courses and an 80 or above each semester in all AP-level courses.
● Have completed 2 consecutive semesters at CDS.
National English Honor Society
The National English Honor Society is a national high school and junior college English club and society. The goals of the National English Honor Society are to recognize students, who, on the basis of academic grades and performance, merit special note for past and current accomplishments; to nurture members to further develop their abilities in the various fields of English; and to encourage members to use their talents to serve others. In order to be eligible for selection for the Calvary Day School chapter of the National English Honor Society, students must have:
● Enrolled in or have completed English III Honors or an AP-level English course.
● Enrolled in Honors or AP level English courses beyond the freshman year.
● Maintained a 90 or above average each semester in all non-AP level English courses and an 80 or above average each semester in all AP-level English courses.
● Have completed 2 consecutive semesters of English at CDS.
● Maintained no plagiarism violations.
Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society
The Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society is dedicated to inspiring high school students to actively inquire so as to engage in informed civic action. By knowing our past we can understand our present and seek to improve our future for God's glory. The following requirements exist for membership. Students:
● Must be a junior or senior and have completed a minimum of 2 core Social Studies Courses and enrolled in a third.
● Must be enrolled in honors or AP level Social Studies courses beyond the freshman year.
● Must have maintained a 90 or above average each semester in all non-AP level Social Studies courses, an 80 or above each semester in all AP-level Social Studies courses, and must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in all other classes.
● Must have completed a minimum of 1 full semester at CDS.
● Must provide a faculty recommendation letter.
● Have demonstrated civic engagement at school or in the community.
International Thespian Society
The International Thespian Society was originally established in 1929 and is dedicated to excellence in theatre arts in secondary schools, and to honor students who do theatre well. To be eligible for induction students:
● Must be a junior or senior
● Must have accumulated 100 performance and rehearsal hours throughout high school
National Junior Honor Society
The mission of National Junior Honor Society is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, to develop character, and to encourage good citizenship in the students throughout the school.
SCHOLARSHIP - a commitment to learning and the pursuit of wisdom.
SERVICE - as we have been served, let us serve by emulating the greatest servant, Jesus Christ
LEADERSHIP - developing the leaders of tomorrow.
CHARACTER - preparing young people for life and empowering them to be successful
CITIZENSHIP - a duty to not only better ourselves, but to also enhance the lives of those around us
● An 87 each quarter in each core subject (Bible, English, Science, Social Studies, and Math) with no "C's" or below and no "U's" for three consecutive quarters.
● Christian character, leadership, and service.
● Review and approval by faculty and administration.
College Counseling
Our College Counseling services are dedicated to assisting students in their post-secondary planning and goal setting in their Upper School years. This includes aptitude, interest and personality assessments & inventories, college and career education and exploration, which includes overall introductions to majors, career pathways and specific looks into programs in surrounding post secondary educational institutions, as well as support through the graduation and post-secondary application processes.
Our College Counseling Program is delivered in a classroom, small group, and at an individual level. The introduction to college and career readiness is introduced beginning in middle school, as our School Counseling staff assists students in their exploration of self, who God has created them to be, and how the gifts, talents and interests they have can intersect with their abilities, to look at avenues in which to pursue careers in as they move through secondary school and look ahead.
Our College Counseling process is a support based service, where a student learns autonomy, self advocacy, fosters and supports the use and growth of critical thinking and problem solving skills, responsible decision making, resilience and grit, as well as goal setting and growth mindset thinking.
Some of the things we do:
- Create a supportive environment that celebrates and supports students post-secondary plans, whether it be college, career, military, trade or workforce.
- Encourage students in the growth in the areas of: self-advocacy, grit, resilience, communication, problem solving, critical thinking, conflict resolution, goal setting, and self-exploration.
- Academic planning starting in 9th grade to ensure graduation requirements are met, as well as academic rigor is appropriate.
- Utilizing online and in class assessments to compile data on themselves, ranging from personality traits, aptitudes, interests and social and communication styles to formulate an overall profile of self.
- Comparing data with career clusters and pathways, college majors, and other post-secondary avenues.
- Assist students in their compilation of post-secondary plans, which could include 4 or 2 year colleges, workforce, military, or service. We also offer developmentally and grade appropriate workshops for students and families that address the college and career journey at all levels, as well as guidance on time management, deadlines, resumes, essays, financial aid, scholarships, and counsel on final decisions and next steps.
- Students and parents can also visit our College Counseling page on our website to gain access to some supplemental resources as needed.
- Click here for more college scholarship information.
Some helpful links.
College Scholarship Opportunities
Click on the links to learn more information about different college scholarship information. Please note that some scholarships are for specific schools while others are for any school.
College Specific Scholarships
Morehead Cain (UNC; School Endorsement only)
Park (NC State; self endorsement only)
Levine (UNCC; school & self endorsement)
Belk (Davidson; School endorsement only)
Jefferson (UVA; School endorsement only)
Roberston (UNC or Duke; self endorsement only)
Coca Cola (Self endorsement only)
Thomas Wolfe (UNC writing; self endorsement only)
Personal Scholarships
FAFSA 101
The FAFSA 101 page is now live on CFNC.org under the Pay for College tab. This page has all the information students will need to understand the benefits of filling out the FAFSA and the steps to take to complete the form. Be sure to check it out and share it with your students.
School Counseling
Jessica Eppley
10th-12th Grade Counselor
College Counselor
(336)714-5492
jeppley@calvaryday.school
Emily Compton
(336) 714-5562
ecompton@calvaryday.school
We acknowledge that being an adolescent these days is not easy. There are many challenges that our teens face, ranging from anxiety, depression, bullying, social media influences and peer pressures, trauma, eating disorders, suicide, self-harm, among many, many others.
Here at Calvary Day School, the Upper School Counseling Staff is prepared to assist and support students and families with these issues, and foster a partnership with parents, students, teachers, and outside professional agencies, in collaboration, consultation, both in and outside of school.
CDS offers a multitude of support services within the school setting, whether it be meeting with students one on one, in small groups, classroom guidance, mentoring, skill practice, or crisis intervention, and the utilization of the CDS Virtual Counseling Room.
Our Upper School Counseling Staff also consults, collaborates, and refers with professional support services outside of school, so that every student and family at Calvary Day School are supported in the areas of personal/emotional, academic, college/career and spiritual growth and development, to learn how to develop and practice their social/emotional skills, critical thinking skills, foster empathy for others, understand the meaning and practice of mercy and grace, help them find and begin their journey to understand who it is that God has created them to be, and how they can use those skills to impact their community.
Please feel free to contact us.
Chapels & Advisory
Our weekly chapel service is the community highlight of our week. Whether from the variety of chapel speakers who have integrated their walk with Christ into every aspect of their lives, the student praise band or the corporate time of prayer and song, chapel is the weekly reminder of the reason and source of our strength in order to be effective salt and light in a needy world.
The entire Upper School is broken down into small groups called Advisory ranging from 4 to 15 students where heartfelt discussions of life are made. Leaders in Advisory take the key points from the chapel speaker and ask exploratory questions as to how such eternal truths can be lived out in our everyday lives.
Fall Retreats
Calvary Day School is committed to the discipleship and spiritual wellbeing of our students and faculty. With that in mind, the Upper School enjoys a 3-day retreat at Windy Gap, a Young Life camp near Asheville, while the Middle School (7th-8th Grade) participates in a 2-day retreat at the same location. These retreats provide students with the opportunity to start the year focused on God's Word, meet new friends, and connect with their teachers outside of the school setting. Nationally known speakers are featured at the retreats, and students also get to enjoy the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.
Windy Gap Retreat – Grades 9-12
This retreat in the beautiful mountains of Weaverville, NC (near Asheville), is for all students in grades 9-12. Windy Gap is a highlight of the school year. This special week sets the tone for the entire year – and it is a great way to start our new year with new friends, a new perspective and a new spiritual start. A guest speaker will challenge us from God’s Word and a guest praise band will lead us in worship. The camp offers great facilities/accommodations, a zip line, swing, super slide, pool, arcade room, sand volleyball, indoor and outdoor basketball, fishing, Sippin' Shoppe, and a Country Store. US parents go as our cooks, bakers, servers, pit crew, night security, etc. This retreat is paid for in the Curriculum Fee.
Windy Gap Middle School Retreat - Grades 7-8
This retreat in the beautiful mountains of Weaverville, NC (near Asheville). All of the 7th and 8th grade students go to camp to meet new friends, learn some team building skills and spiritually reset as they hear from guest speakers in a beautiful setting by the lake. The camp offers great facilities/accommodations, a zip line, swing, super slide, pool, arcade room, sand volleyball, indoor and outdoor basketball, fishing, Sippin' Shoppe, and a Country Store. US parents go as our cooks, bakers, servers, pit crew, night security, etc. This retreat is paid for in the Curriculum Fee.
Spring Trips
CDS offers two spring trips in the Upper School.
The 8th graders journey to Washington, DC for a 5-day exploration of our nation's capital, Annapolis and Baltimore, MD. Students experience the sights and history led by professionally trained tour guides. There is something about going to DC with your peer group that makes for lasting memories. Sights visited include the Naval Academy, Ft. McHenry, the National Cathedral, the Pentagon, a Nationals baseball game, and a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
The Senior Class jets off to Costa Rica on a mission-service trip. While in Costa Rica the seniors build a house for a local family and hold daily vacation Bible school for the children in the community. Students experience the culture and local foods. Side trips include visiting a coffee farm, ziplining through the forest and a one day catamaran trip to an island.
Testing
Grades 7th and 8th
Calvary Day School uses The Iowa/CogAT Assessments annually to help determine how students are performing on nationwide standards. Testing is administered toward the end of each academic year in our seventh and eighth grades. These assessments measure a student’s verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning ability, as well as, achievement in several important content areas including Vocabulary, Word Analysis, Reading, Listening, Language, Mathematics, Computation, Social Studies, and Science. The exact tests that students take will depend on his or her grade level.
The Iowa/CogAT Assessments help teachers identify a student’s strengths and areas that may need additional emphasis. The Iowa/CogAT Assessments also measure student growth and progress in the content areas assessed from year to year. The assessments produce information that enables sound decision-making and provides a focus for teachers to evaluate instruction.
Based on normative data comparisons, Calvary Day School consistently outperforms other Christian schools in the Southeast and across the nation.
PSAT - Grades 9-11
The PSAT is administered in ninth, tenth and eleventh grades in the fall based on the dates provided by College Board. In order to graduate from Calvary Day School, students must meet a minimum standard in reading and math on either the PSAT or the standardized achievement test given. These tests are mandatory for students to complete.
AP Exams
The Advanced Placement program offers students the opportunity to take college level work while enrolled in Calvary. The AP program is part of a rigorous academic curriculum. AP classes require superior reading, writing, and thinking skills. Instruction is fast paced, incredibly rigorous, and will hold to a rigid timeframe. Students enrolled in an AP course at Calvary are required to take the AP exam for the course in May. Students whose AP scores are canceled due to failure to abide by the College Board’s testing protocol and standards will not receive AP credit on their GPA. If this occurs, only credit for an honors class will be reflected on their final transcripts.
Daily Schedules
Monday, Tuesday, Friday - 7 Periods
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1st Lunch 1st Period 8:00 - 9:00 2nd Period 9:05 - 9:55 Break 9:55 - 10:10 3rd Period 10:10 - 11:00 4th Period 11:05 - 11:55 Lunch 11:55 - 12:25 5th Period 12:30 - 1:20 6th Period 1:25 - 2:15 7th Period 2:20 - 3:15 |
2nd Lunch 1st Period 8:00 - 9:00 2nd Period 9:05 - 9:55 Break 9:55 - 10:10 3rd Period 10:10 - 11:00 4th Period 11:05 - 11:55 5th Period 12:00 - 12:50 Lunch 12:50 - 1:20 6th Period 1:25 - 2:15 7th Period 2:20 - 3:15 |
Wednesday Chapel
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1st Lunch 1st Period 8:00 - 9:40 Break 9:40 - 9:55 Chapel 9:55 - 10:55 Advisory 11:00 - 11:25 Lunch 11:25 - 12:00 2nd Period 12:05 - 1:35 3rd Period 1:40 - 3:15 |
2nd Lunch 1st Period 8:00 - 9:40 Break 9:40 - 9:55 Chapel 9:55 - 10:55 Advisory 11:00 - 11:25 2nd Period 11:30 - 1:00 Lunch 1:00 - 1:35 3rd Period 1:40 - 3:15 |
Thursday
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1st Lunch 4th Period 8:00 - 9:40 Break 9:40 - 10:00 5th Period 10:00 - 11:30 Lunch 11:30 - 12:00 6th Period 12:05 - 1:35 7th Period 1:40 - 3:15 |
2nd Lunch 4th Period 8:00 - 9:40 Break 9:40 - 10:00 5th Period 10:00 - 11:30 6th Period 11:35 - 1:05 Lunch 1:05 - 1:35 7th Period 1:40 - 3:15 |
