Upper School FAQ

List of 13 frequently asked questions.

• What is the Community Meeting?

  Community Meetings take place on the first day of every week. During these assemblies, students and faculty may make important announcements, showcase musical talent, read poems, or speak about an issue that is important to the entire school community.

• What is Winter Carnival?

  Winter Carnival is a week-long event held each winter in January or February. The Student Council arranges activities and contests in which the maroon vs. white (DS school colors) teams compete for points. The highlight of the week is the Moose Review talent show! Academic classes meet on a modified schedule during Winter Carnival Week.

• What are Activities?

  Club activities meet every Thursday and Friday afternoon community blocks throughout the year. These include Disciplinary Committee, School Council, Model U.N., The Lamplighter (school newspaper), Robotics Team, Latin Club, and GIVE, to name a few.

• How are Advisors Chosen?

  In the ninth and tenth grade, all students are assigned an advisor prior to the beginning of the school year. Advisory groups typically range from approximately 6-8 students per group. In grades eleven and twelve, students have the opportunity to select their top choices for advisor and every effort is made to give students one of their top choices.

• How Much Homework Can We Expect?

  • Grades 6-12 (non honors or AP) assign no more than: 30 minutes/night/subject;
  • Honors and AP classes assign no more than: 40-45 minutes/night/subject.  
  • Only AP and Honors courses may give two nights of homework the day before a class is to be dropped.  All other classes will give only one night of work before the dropped day for class.

• What is an Independent Sport Credit?

  An independent sport/activity credit can be earned by participating in an after-school activity that is not offered at Derryfield. It is designed to help that student who has been participating in a sport/activity outside of Derryfield so that he/she does not have to give it up when they start attending Derryfield. This option takes the place of a required sport credit, typically earned by playing a sport at Derryfield. In order to receive a sport credit, the student must submit an independent physical activity approval form to the Athletic Director at the end of the term prior to the term during which the independent sport credit is sought. All approval is based on the discretion of the Athletic Director. No more than one independent sport credit may be earned each academic year.

• When do Students Meet with Their Advisors?

  Students meet with their advisors during the morning community block on Tuesdays, as well as a check-in on Day 4s at the beginning of block 8. Students are free to meet one-on-one with their advisors before school, after school, or during free periods or lunch. Parents and students are encouraged to work with the advisor whenever an issue in the student’s life is affecting his/her overall academic or social performance.

• What is Academic Review?

  Academic review is time set aside at the end of a trimester in which all the teachers from each grade level review the academic and social progress of each child in the grade. If a student faces particular challenges, a plan of action will be proposed at this time. Only teachers participate in these meetings. Parents may be contacted following the meetings to work on a plan for success for their child.

• Why do Families Receive a Monthly Bill Even if Tuition is Paid in Full?

  Students may incur miscellaneous charges, such as field trip or sports expenses.

• What if I Have to Sign a Student Out Early?

  Parents and legal guardians are the only people who can sign a student out. In doing so, the parent is responsible for sending a note giving the exact time of departure. The student must deliver the note to the main office. The student will then be allowed to leave class at the designated time, and the parent or guardian may pick up the child from the lobby. The student is responsible for turning in all work due that day and for getting homework assignments from another student so as not to fall behind.

• Why Aren't there any Locks on the Lockers?

  There are no locks on any lockers at DS because our community is founded on trust and respect. Students understand that they are permitted to enter only their locker and no one else’s.

• If a Child must Stay Home Sick, What Should He/She do?

  Parents should notify the receptionist Diane Wall either by phone or email at dwall@derryfield.org. Students or parents may email each teacher requesting homework assignments. Students may find it more convenient to phone a classmate at home in the early evening to get assignments. Families should notify the division head and dean of students of any extended absence that is known ahead of time. Students will be responsible for making arrangements to make-up missed work in a timely manner as determined by the teacher.

• What is the Policy for Permission Slips?

  Permission slips are sent home for each individual fieldtrip. Slips include only the approximate cost of the trip; parents will be billed once the final cost is calculated. Once a signed slip is returned to the teacher, a refund will not be issued for any reason. Permission slips also detail the time, date, supplies needed. Parents are welcome to volunteer their chaperoning services to teachers.