Academics
Academic Curriculum
At Grier, girls become emboldened, engaged, and poised for the future. Lemuel Grier, the first in our founding family, conveyed this sentiment best: “Our aim is not to stuff the mind with undigested knowledge from the Text Book, but to train its powers, so that the student may be able to think for herself.” Today, the tradition to develop students’ critical thinking abilities—as well as the other 21st century skills—inspires both our pedagogy and curriculum, which offers classes ranging from college preparatory to Advanced Placement® (AP®) and in-depth scholarship through electives and advanced offerings. The standards of faculty and instructors are high, as are the levels of concern and support provided to ensure that students experience success
Daily Schedule
At Grier, girls attend class Monday-Friday, and our daily schedule throughout the week is divided into three major periods of time. The academic day (8:15-2:40) begins after breakfast and includes seven 42-minute classes, lunch, and an extra help period. Students spend one or more hours of their afternoons (3:00-6:30) engaged in a variety of activities, team sports, and fitness classes. Finally, evening hours provide student with time to relax and enjoy dinner prior to study hall (7:30-9:30).
Sample schedules are below.
Sample schedules are below.
Sana Mens In Corpore Sano
A Sound Mind in a Sound Body
A Sound Mind in a Sound Body
Rhianna's Day
Chujun's Day
7th Grade Example 1
List of 9 items.
-
Period 1
Painting -
Period 2
English 7 -
Period 3
Pre-Algebra -
Period 4
Life Science -
Period 5
Learning Skills -
Lunch
-
Extra Help
-
Period 6
Hip Hop -
Period 7
Social Studies 7
9th Grade Example 1
List of 9 items.
-
Period 1
Geometry -
Period 2
Honors French II -
Period 3
Introduction to Acting I -
Period 4
Honors English 9 -
Period 5
Honors World History -
Lunch
-
Extra Help
-
Period 6
Pottery Wheel -
Period 7
Physics 9/10
11th Grade Example 1
List of 9 items.
-
Period 1
AP French -
Period 2
Honors English 11 -
Period 3
Honors Chemistry -
Period 4
Calculus -
Period 5
AP® European History -
Lunch
-
Extra Help
-
Period 6
AP® Biology -
Period 7
AP® Biology (cont'd)
7th Grade Example 2
List of 9 items.
-
Period 1
Life Science -
Period 2
Spanish I -
Period 3
Algebra I -
Period 4
Photography -
Period 5
Honors English 7 -
Lunch
-
Extra Help
-
Period 6
Honors Social Studies 7 -
Period 7
Introduction to Jewelry
9th Grade Example 2
List of 9 items.
-
Period 1
Algebra II -
Period 2
Spanish I -
Period 3
World History -
Period 4
Honors English 9 -
Period 5
Physical Science -
Lunch
-
Extra Help
-
Period 6
Pre-Professional Dance -
Period 7
Pre-professional Dance (cont'd)
11th Grade Example 2
List of 9 items.
-
Period 1
Geometry -
Period 2
Spanish III -
Period 3
Music Intensive* -
Period 4
English 11 -
Period 5
European History -
Lunch
-
Extra Help
-
Period 6
Learning Skills -
Period 7
Chemistry
*3+ private music lessons/week
-
Favorites in Student Photography
Take a look at some of our favorite photos taken by photography students in 2021-22!Read More -
Grier School's 9th Annual Trout Release Day
Read MoreGrier School Life Science class packed up their fish and took to the woods on Tuesday May 3, 2022 for our 9th annual trout release day. -
Grier Students Participate in Envirothon
On April 26, five Grier School students participated in the Huntingdon County Envirothon. The yearly competition is comprised of five stations that assess student knowledge of Pennsylvania Wildlife, Aquatic Ecology, Soils and Land Use, and Forestry.Read More -
Marine Biology Trip to Chincoteague
Marine biology students deepened their understanding of coastal ecology during a four-day trip with their teacher at the Chincoteague Bay Field Station in Wallops Island, Virginia.Read More -
Enrichment Programs Expanded for 2022
Grier’s Enrichment Programs begin two weeks before the academic year commences and provide new and returning Grier students the opportunity to move onto campus early, forge connections with friends and faculty, develop skills, and have a great time.Read More -
Room 205 Theatre
Read MoreThe students in the galley are bustling to prepare for their dramatic reenactments. Equipped with costume changes, props, and blocked performances, the class atmosphere is electric.... -
Senior Samantha Cohen Chosen as National Merit Scholarship Finalist
Samantha "Sam" Cohen, Grier class of 2022, has been selected as a finalist for the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Award.Read More -
Creation Continues Outside the Classroom
Read MoreFrom oral presentations, insightful essays, science lab discoveries, and more, Grier students accomplish greatness inside the classroom every day. -
If You're In Mrs. Salyards' Classroom, Remember to Honk the Hippo
Read MoreGrier has been around since 1853, so it's no surprise that traditions abound in its halls. You've probably heard of many of them: Green and Gold events, meeting at "the Pineapples", Friday dance parties in the auditorium... but have you ever honked the hippo? -
Grier Library News
View the Grier Library February 2022 Newsletter for reading recommendations, online games, podcasts, and more!Read More -
Teacher Spotlight: Ashleigh Stangel
Read MoreEven if you haven’t met her yet, you’ve probably been greeted indirectly by one of Grier’s newest art teachers, Ms. Ashleigh Stangel. Her personalized welcome messages give our visitors a sense of belonging. If you visit her classroom, you’ll be further amazed by the creations of her students. -
Celebrating Black History Month
Read MoreThe Grier Library currently features a display of books related to African-American History in the United States. The selected books explore social issues, civil rights, and feature biographies historic and celebrated African-Americans, as well as, historic fiction accounts of the Black experience.While many books are included in the display, here are just a few interesting and noteworthy titles to explore: -
Grier Students Showcase Math Excellence in AMC
Read MoreMath Department Chair Mrs. Danielle Kelley and Head of School Mrs. Gina Borst presented awards to Grier students who had the highest scores for the American Math Competitions that took place in November. -
Grier Recognized for Supporting Women in Computer Science
Come join us in applauding Grier’s AP Computer Science class! For the fourth year in a row, Grier School has earned the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP® Computer Science Principles. Schools honored with the AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award have expanded girls’ access in AP® Computer Science courses.Read More -
Oh Chem-is-tree, oh Chemistry!
…how lovely are thy ornaments? Mrs. Myers and Mrs. Brubaker joined forces to bring back a favorite seasonal tradition to the science building in preparation for the upcoming Christmas holiday. Students applied the process of mirror making to create beautiful gleaming silver-plated ornaments so they can take a piece of Grier home with them to cherish as an heirloom of their high school years.Read More -
One School, One Story 2021: Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson
Read MoreGrier Library and Beyond the Bubble invites everyone at Grier to come join us in reading and discussing the 2021 One School, One Story selection: Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson.The story’s lead character, Jade is an 11th grade student and talented mixed media artist attending an elite private school on scholarship. While it means taking a long bus ride to and from her lower-class neighborhood every day and constantly feeling like an outsider as one of the few African Americans attending the school, ambitious Jade won’t turn down a chance at success. -
Evidence Boards Aren’t Just For Detectives
Read MoreOne of Grier School’s goals is to give students skills that prepare them for the next step in their educational, social, and career-based journeys. While part of that includes the more mundane formula of tests, papers, and projects, a key mission of the Grier School’s educators is to create activities that ask students to flex their brainpower and awaken student curiosity. -
Grier Students Attend St. Francis STEAM Day
On November 18, Dr. Burke and Mrs. Brubaker took twelve students to St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania for their Annual STEAM Day. These students are planning on going into STEAM fields such as the medical field and engineering. Students chose three sessions from an array of courses that introduced them to a variety of science and technology careers.Read More -
Mythology Research in the Library
Read MorePlans often go awry, and after a crazy year, during which students were unable to utilize the Grier Library space, the students and Mrs. Woolfrey are excited to be able to work together again. At the beginning of October, the 9th grade Honors English classes headed to the library for a collaborative research project.For this project, the girls would be researching Greek Gods and Goddesses in order to prepare to read The Odyssey, working one-on-one with Mrs. Woolfrey, a master of helping them know where to channel their energy and curiosity. -
Updates to Winter Events & Midterms
Some of the dates and times of Grier events taking place this month through the end of the semester have changed. Please be aware of the following days and times for special events! Note that the midterm exam for period 7 is held before the exams for periods 5 & 6.Read More
Families are welcome to attend our performances! Per Grier Covid-19 safety protocols, audience members must wear masks while inside Grier buildings regardless of vaccination status.
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Grier School
2522 Grier School Rd. | P.O. Box 308; Birmingham, PA 16686-0308
Phone: 814-684-3000 | Fax: 814-684-2177
Phone: 814-684-3000 | Fax: 814-684-2177
