Academic Excellence Driven Learners

List of 5 items.

• How is the curriculum developed and how often is it updated?

  The curriculum at Crystal is a collaborative effort between the department chair and the director of teaching and learning. Our world-class teachers actively review and update the curriculum annually, ensuring that students receive a high-quality and current education.

• How much homework will there be?

  Homework is intended as a meaningful opportunity for practice, application or previewing of content. In the Middle School, the average weekly homework load per subject is 45 minutes per week in 6th grade, 60 minutes per week in 7th grade and 90 minutes per week per subject in 8th grade. The average homework assignment per class should take approximately 30-45 minutes for Upper School classes. Students in Honors or Advanced Topics courses should expect longer assignments up to 60 min per class period. 

• What are the typical outcomes for students after they leave Crystal?

  The College Counseling Office's (CCO) goal is to empower students to make independent, informed decisions about their college choices. We view the college application process as the beginning of a journey, emphasizing self-reflection, self-discovery, and personal growth. We celebrate the diverse paths to higher education, recognizing success in aligning graduates with colleges that meet their educational, financial, and personal goals.

• What if a student struggles academically, what support is available?

  Crystal ensures equal educational opportunities for students with learning differences, making accommodations unless it poses undue hardship or alters the educational program's nature. Requests are handled case-by-case, and students can work with the Director of Academic Support on either campus.

• Which AP courses are offered and how often are new courses added?

  Advanced Placement (AP) exams: Crystal does not restrict its teaching to prepare students to take standardized tests, including Advanced Placement exams. This resolve allows our excellent faculty to create rich, rigorous, and student-centered courses.
  
  

  We do recognize, however, that there are some advantages for our students in taking these examinations.  Depending on the college or university’s policy, students may earn college credit, exemption from college distribution requirements, and/or exemption from lower-level requirements of specific disciplines.  Though AP scores, like SAT and ACT, test scores, can confirm the strength of your preparation for college-level work, AP exam scores are not required for U.S. college admission; reporting your scores is optional.  Consult with your college counselor about whether to include your AP scores in your college applications.  If you are seeking college credit for your AP score, you must send the official AP score report from the College Board to the college where you enroll.
  
  

  Typically, juniors and seniors take AP exams after completing disciplines in which subject exams are offered, and while our teachers do not explicitly teach to these examinations, much of what students encounter on these exams is reflected in many of our Honors and Advanced Topics courses.  We do not offer AP exams for courses that don't explicitly prepare students for those exams