Upper School Inquiries

Denisa Badea ‘27, Camryn Blessey ‘27, Fiona Ellis ‘27, Cecelia Tivey ‘27

Photo by GFA Flickr

English

Inquiry in English gives students the chance to shape themselves as writers, readers and thinkers. This is for students who want more than assigned essays and class discussions–they want to explore areas of literature that truly interest them. Inquiry in English acts as a space where students can turn reading and writing into something personal and self-driven. Instead of responding only to assigned prompts, projects are designed by passion. 

In a writing class, students work from both models and imagination in a specific genre that excites them–poetry, personal essay, or short fiction–allowing them to develop their authentic voice. The class is conducted as a workshop, allowing students to partner with their peers and teacher to produce a chapbook of original creative work. 

In reading, students who have demonstrated interest in reading literature are able to work with others who share their passion. They’re challenged to read deeply in the work of a single author, genre, or time period, and to write analytically. This allows students to recognize patterns and trace how ideas develop across multiple works. 

Art 

Inquiry in Visual Arts gives students the opportunity to take full ownership of their creative process. Instead of completing separate assignments built around a certain technique, students develop a project centered on a theme, question, or concept that genuinely matters to them. Unlike traditional art classes, students get to choose a genre of art that they most enjoy–whether that’s ceramics, painting, drawing, architecture, photography, or another form–they get to dive deeply into it. The class is both independent and reflective. Students meet regularly for critique, where they receive feedback from peers and teachers and learn how to revise their work thoughtfully. At the same time, they’re given the freedom to experiment in their favorite art forms. 

This course is a chance for students who love art to see it not as just a finished product, but a process of risk-taking and revision. 

Science 

Students interested in science inquiries at GFA have a lot to choose from. Courses range from research and experimental design to human ecology and sustainability. Science inquiries are designed to promote individuality—students create, design, research, and demonstrate their understanding of projects they choose to create. Expanding their horizons, those in advanced science inquiries are encouraged to submit their research to outside competitions to get their work recognized. 

GFA fosters students’ intellectual curiosity in the scientific inquiry by encouraging them to interact with complex scientific research, project planning, and experimental design. 

Students in research are first given the opportunity to explore articles of experiments that spark their curiosity. As they move into more advanced courses, they take that curiosity to the next level by designing and carrying out their own procedures. The heart of the course is problem-solving: students begin by identifying an issue or asking a question they genuinely want answered.

Language 

GFA offers 3 main languages: French, Mandarin, and Spanish. Students may engage with any of these languages at the regular inquiry and advanced inquiry level. All of these courses intricately immerse students in the language. When learning a language at GFA, students master reading, writing, listening comprehension, and speaking skills. This is only amplified in the language inquiries. Inquiry takes that foundation further by asking students to apply the language in more independent and meaningful ways.

Students in Advanced Inquiries choose topics to research relating to their specific language. Topics include, but are not limited to:cultural phenomena, exploring history through film, art, and literature, studying a particular author, and linguistics. Those in Advanced Language Inquiries must be driven, flexible, and admirably passionate, and these courses amplify those values and qualities. 

Math

GFA’s path for students interested in Mathematics is vast. The most ambitious take on inquiries in mathematics, including Linear Algebra, Statistics, Investing, and Advanced Inquiries in Mathematics. Students in these inquiries must be auspicious problem solvers. They’re challenged with difficult mathematical questions to deconstruct, comprehend, and solve. 

For example, an inquiry in Statistics requires students to analyze, interpret, organize, and collect data to make enlightened decisions. This course leaves students with adept skills in statistical analysis and data evaluation. Like other inquiries, this course is half a credit, but is full of statistical challenges and opportunities for growth among students and teachers alike. 

The Advanced Inquiry in Mathematics reaches beyond the regular GFA curriculum by allowing students to explore topics outside the typical math classroom. Students can research topics like topography, abstract algebra, cryptography, etcetera. This 850 course requires an intense passion and appreciation for mathematics. It also deeply inspires students to analyze and comprehend rigorous mathematical topics. 

History + Global Studies

Inquiry in History and Global Studies is for students who want to take their interest in history further and turn it into independent work.. This course gives students the opportunity to move beyond memorizing events and instead investigate the forces that shape the world. Students often begin by exploring broad historical or political questions and gradually narrow their focus to a specific issue, event, or theme that genuinely interests them. Rather than moving quickly from topic to topic, students spend time developing a research question that matters to them. 

Across all levels, this inquiry emphasizes curiosity, sustained focus, strong writing, and the confidence to pursue a complex idea from  start to finish. 

Music 

Music inquiries at GFA range from Composing and Arranging to Musical Performance and Composing. Students engage with a wide variety of musical components such as vocal arrangement, music history, and creating original bodies of work. Students often engage with the GFA community, showcasing their work at assemblies and various GFA outings such as our Coffeehouse, hosted in the spring. This inquiry requires students to be confident, adaptable, and most importantly, creative. Honest dedication and passion for their work sets these students apart from others in the GFA community. Those in the 750 Composing & Arranging Inquiry are encouraged to enter their works into the “Connecticut Music Educators’ Association” competition as well as other relevant competitions locally and nationally. Similarly, the 750 Musical Performance inquiry diligently prepare for a recital in the spring semester, showcasing solo performances as well as performances with an ensemble.  

Computer Science, Engineering and Design 

Inquiry in Computer Science, Engineering, and Design gives students the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in technical courses to a more independent trajectory. 

In Cybersecurity, students are introduced to foundational concepts before moving into a self-directed research project where they choose a topic of interest within the field. The course explores areas such as network security, cryptography, penetration testing, and digital forensics through interactive labs, challenges, and case studies, promoting critical thinking. Students also have the chance to take a design and engineering approach, engaging with things like structural design, devices, materials science, or environmental engineering. This course fosters collaboration, hands-on learning, and the ability to explore engineering applications that interest them. 

Across all levels, these courses combine creativity and problem-solving, teaching students the value of failing, yet trying again.