Upper School

Lipscomb Academy graduating seniors class photo in front of the bell tower at Lipscomb University

As a child’s educational journey leads to The Upper School, students in grades 9 through 12 continue to explore, discover their passion and develop their faith while completing the foundation that will serve them throughout their life.

In our upper school, the mustang team spirit and social development start to take shape through extracurricular activities and community service projects.

From robotics to our athletic programs, from service projects to musical performances, there is a way for every student to grow and transform into anything they want to be.

Colleges want to attract students who stand out. They want to see students who stretch themselves beyond the limits of the classroom and who embody inventiveness, persistence, fervor, intelligence, and generosity. With this next educational phase, students develop leadership skills and have a unique opportunity to prepare for college by earning college credit through dual-enrollment classes on the campus of Lipscomb University, earning up to as much as a year of college credit by the time they graduate giving them a head start on their college pursuits.

Lipscomb Academy Upper School Seniors walking the halls of the Lower School celebrating with the kids

Lipscomb has made it easy for me to have a flexible schedule to give me time to do things I like to do. Through Endeavor I have been able to go to the elementary school to be able to learn about the possibility of me becoming a teacher one day.

Emma Grace Smiley
Upper School Student

Lipscomb Academy students doing schoolwork for their Dual Enrollment course at Lipscomb University

In This Section

Letter from Head of Upper School

At Lipscomb Academy, students prepare for college and beyond with a combination of rigorous academics and important world experiences. Students are supported and encouraged as they find their path and achieve their goals with a variety of activities, adaptive learning opportunities, and intentional college preparation.

It’s through relentless dedication and innovation that we provide the education and opportunities to honor that belief. We are always researching and implementing educational advancements that make each student’s experience better inside and outside of the classroom. We are dedicated to helping them discover and fuel their dreams and intellectual pursuits with experiences and relationships. This is a place where your future begins.” Dr. Jesse Savage Head of Upper School

At Lipscomb Academy, there is no academic ceiling for our students, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that our graduates continue their education at leading institutions. Some of the institutions our recent graduates attend include Cornell University, Georgia Tech, New York University, The University of Pennsylvania, The University of Virginia, The United States Naval Academy, and Vanderbilt University.

College Bound

We are so proud of all of our students and alumni. They have been admitted to some of the top schools in the nation. This is all due to their hard work and use of the resources we provide here at Lipscomb Academy.

Upper School Resources

A variety of courses are offered at the upper school level that prepares students to be successful at the college level.

Program of Studies

Academics at Lipscomb Academy are grounded in a commitment to excellence, intellectual growth, and college preparation. The Program of Studies reflects this mission by outlining a rich variety of courses and academic policies that support students in shaping a meaningful and challenging high school experience. With thoughtful planning and exploration, students are empowered to pursue their passions, meet graduation requirements, and prepare for success in higher education and beyond.

PROGRAM OF STUDIES

Spiritual Learning

At Lipscomb Academy, spiritual life is at the heart of everything we do, with daily opportunities for worship, prayer, service, and faith-based learning that help students grow in their relationship with God.

Student Support

As a college preparatory school, a primary focus at Lipscomb Academy is providing a solid academic foundation. At the same time, we know that students are more than scholars and we want to focus on them holistically, valuing not only their academic development but also supporting them socially, emotionally, and spiritually. We know that all of our students come to us with their own stories and experiences, their personal successes and struggles.

Our Student Support team seeks to provide social emotional support on campus. While we are not equipped to offer ongoing, in depth counseling, we desire to empower students to be successful at school by offering space to process and manage their thoughts and feelings as well as identify helpful ways to navigate situations. This team also works to connect students and families to outside resources and offers parenting tools to promote healthy development.

Social Emotional Spiritual Learning

Lipscomb has always valued social emotional skills and spiritual formation. We believe that only focusing on outward behaviors misses an opportunity to connect our thoughts, words and actions to the heart of God. In our Heart and Mind classes, we begin by seeking the nature of God to understand what it means to be made in His image. By making intentional choices to reflect Him, our relationships look different. Though God has many traits, these classes focus on eight that are directly connected to social emotional skills which help us manage ourselves and live well in community with others.

Chapel

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16

At Lipscomb, chapel provides students a space to encounter God, Jesus and the Spirit through a community of prayer, worship and intentional experiences grounded in scripture. Our campus ministers seek to provide relevant and engaging experiences that also allow all of our students an opportunity to practice spiritual leadership. The desire is for our students to become aware of God’s constant presence and activity in all aspects of their lives.

Bible

We desire for our students to both understand the metanarrative of scripture and see themselves as part of God’s story. Our Bible classes at all levels from PK-12th grade are designed to engage students in various acts of His story and invite them to learn more about the nature of God, who they are created to be, and how to live well in community with others.

We offer a variety of options and formats for Bible classes to best meet the needs and developmental levels of our students. Our hope is that all students are offered introductions and encounters with God, Jesus and the Spirit through those classes.

Community

Knowing that we are created for relationships, we intentionally create space to build community. Whether it is Morning Meeting in the Lower School, CORE groups in the Middle School or Advisory in the High School, time is set aside for purposeful conversations and activities which set the tone for joyful and respectful learning and foster meaningful connections with both peers as well as faculty and staff.

Service & Mission

The greatest among you will be your servant.” Matthew 23:11

Loving God includes taking care of his image bearers and seeking to meet their needs. Students are given opportunities to serve those within the school, within the city and throughout the world. Through our Winterim program, Day of Service, mission trips, and learning to be attentive to the world around them, students have opportunities to reflect God’s love. When students serve, we are also intentional in shepherding their hearts so that the experience is impactful to the recipient and transformational in their own lives.

Click here to learn more about missions

Faculty & Staff Directory

At Lipscomb Academy, our faculty and staff are exceptional educators, mentors, and role models. Each brings a deep commitment to academic excellence, spiritual growth, and personal development. Our teachers are not only experts in their fields but are also approachable, supportive, and dedicated to building strong, meaningful relationships with students and families.

Take me to the Faculty and staff directory

Athletic Handbook

LIPSCOMB ACADEMY ATHLETIC HANDBOOK

The mission of the Lipscomb Academy Athletic program is to develop and use our gifts for the glory of God.

The value of athletics in schools is significant and no other area receives more public attention. Athletics can have an unmatched impact on the student-athletes, school and community that they serve in a profound and transcendent way. Numerous benefits are derived by participation in athletic programs and ideally participation should provide a transformational experience. Athletics is an important part of the total school program and works in conjunction with other educational experiences to provide students the environment and opportunity to develop the values of character and leadership.

The Lipscomb Academy Athletics Handbook is a reference guide for student-athletes, parents/legal guardians and coaches, concerning the policies that govern interscholastic athletics at Lipscomb Academy.

ATHLETIC HANDBOOK