Upper School
The Upper School at Williams offers each student an individualized path toward college, career, and life readiness. In a supportive and inclusive environment, students work closely with faculty as they navigate a challenging college-preparatory curriculum, collaborate with peers, and learn to engage different viewpoints with respect and civility. Along the way, they strengthen communication, executive function, and self-advocacy skills while building the confidence and independence needed for what comes next.
The Upper School Experience
Upper School students are guided and supported academically and in their personal growth and well-being.
Advisors, Counselors, and Specialists
Co-Curricular Activities
Advanced Courses and Senior Project
How Students Learn at Williams
Upper School students take greater ownership of their learning through increasingly challenging coursework, thoughtful academic choices, and close faculty guidance. Students are encouraged to take appropriate risks, engage different perspectives, and strengthen the communication, organization, and self-advocacy skills that prepare them for college-level work.
A Rigorous College-Prep Curriculum
Williams’ Upper School balances rigorous coursework and content with dedicated faculty support to ensure students are appropriately challenging themselves and well-prepared for college and a lifetime of learning. Each year, course offerings are honed based on the needs and interests of the student body and faculty.
Students are required to take courses across Arts, English, History, Modern and Classical Languages, Science, and Math.
There is a unique and tailored course progression for each student based on their interests and abilities.
Preparing Students for What’s Next
Upper School students can extend their learning through two distinctive signature programs: the Interdisciplinary Certificate Program and the College Acceleration Program. The Interdisciplinary Certificate Program gives students in grades 10–12 the opportunity to pursue focused, interdisciplinary study connected to their academic interests and future goals, while the College Acceleration Program allows students in grades 11–12 to take college courses at Connecticut College.
Upper School Course Offerings
Arts
English
History
Modern and Classical Languages
Mathematics
Science
Meet the Director
Chelsea Rallis
Chelsea Rallis serves as Director of Upper School Teaching and Learning at Williams, a role she assumed in Fall 2025 after serving as Dean of the Upper School beginning in Fall 2022. She joined the Williams faculty in 2019 as an English teacher and quickly became an active member of the School’s close-knit community. Mrs. Rallis earned her undergraduate degree in English from Providence College and her Master’s in Education from the University of Rhode Island. She created the British Literature course in 2021 and enjoys collaborating with students and faculty on projects and curriculum that enrich teaching and learning across the Upper School.