Brentwood School is an independent, college preparatory school for students in pre-kindergarten through grade twelve. Our mission is to prepare our students for college and for life by offering an academic program that fosters critical thinking and the ability to communicate both orally and in writing in all disciplines while also requiring a high degree of personal responsibility.
Brentwood encourages its students to be well rounded and to participate in a wide range of academic, athletic, fine arts, and community service activities. Our Upper School Honor Code is a critical component of school life at Brentwood. The School fosters the development of leadership, scholarship, and character.
Three buildings house the three divisions of our educational program. Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students are housed in the Lucy Nell Smith Building, where all their activities take place, with the exception of enrichment experiences in art and music and their visits to the school media center. Age appropriate focus is placed on academic, social, and motor skills, and parents and grandparents are frequent participants in activities at this level.
Lower School students in grades 1 through 5 are housed in the Linton Hall Building, which also houses the administrative offices of the school. Teachers and students engage in learning experiences that stress the acquisition of those basic academic skills necessary for successful transition into Upper School, in physical activities through both physical education classes and recess times, in social development through free play and group activities, and in field trips, projects, and computer activities that transcend the traditional classroom boundaries. These students also have the opportunity to engage in enrichment classes in music, art and foreign language.
The Middle School and Upper School at Brentwood includes students in grades 6 through 12. They are housed in the Upper School Building, which also includes the media center, the computer lab, the science lab, the art room, and the counselor's office. Sixth, seventh and eighth graders share a group of teachers who understand their unique qualities and prepare learning experiences that engage, challenge, and encourage them academically, socially, and emotionally. Exploratory classes in computer applications, vocabulary development, etiquette, character education, and art further engage the interests of these students. An accelerated academic program offers high school level Algebra I and Physical Science to eighth graders. Every other year, a trip to Washington, D. C. is planned and is an exciting time for students to explore our nation's capitol. Additional field trips are encouraged during these years.
High School students in grades 9-12 are challenged through their explorations in the college-preparatory curriculum of Brentwood School. In addition, three Advanced Placement courses currently are offered: AP Biology, AP English Language and Composition, and AP U.S. History. All coursework is college preparatory level, and electives include courses in art, health, SAT preparation, computers, psychology, and others. All Brentwood seniors take the SAT, and their scores are consistently above both state and national averages. Traditionally all are accepted into colleges and universities and are successful in their pursuits of higher education. The school boasts numerous county STAR students, AP Scholars, and National Merit Commended Students.
