Our Disciplines
Making Creative and Relevant Connections
Just as learning and leading are interconnected at Castilleja, the distinct disciplines are always taught in relationship to each other. From the beginning of6th grade, students engage in an interdisciplinary build project that is a collaboration between the math and science faculty. And by their senior year, students in International Relations: Global Politics and Contemporary Issues work together with students in the Advanced Topics in Chinese Seminar to learn about international law and human rights. The deep learning we encourage in our students is open-ended, asking them to look beyond the immediate questions in their classes to make creative and relevant connections to their own experiences and knowledge about the world.
- Computer Science and Engineering
- English
- Fitness
- History Social-Science
- Mathematics
- Science
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Wellness
- World Languages
Computer Science and Engineering
By emphasizing creative and real-world applications, interdisciplinary connections, and iterative processes that enable computer science and engineering to effect change in the world, our students grasp and shape society’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. Through courses, interdisciplinary projects, and varied experiences in and out of the classroom, students develop conceptual understanding and modern technical skills. They cultivate a tolerance for ambiguity and complexity; patience, persistence, and creativity when facing difficult challenges; and the confidence, resourcefulness, and curiosity needed to undertake and solve open-ended problems.
Computer Science at Castilleja is innovative, collaborative, and interdisciplinary. Every student is exposed to coding and computer science through integrated projects and individualized opportunities through electives and co-curriculars.
Co-curricular opportunities such as Robotics and Gatorbotics, Casti Coders, and STEMx grant students drawn to the subject the freedom, flexibility, and capacity to dive deeper into CS.
With an emphasis on autonomy, difference-making, and global citizenship, Castilleja’s Computer Science program is about more than 21st-Century skills or creating gender parity in STEM fields—it’s about empowering the young women who will lead the way to a more equitable, inclusive world.
7th graders build a chain reaction machine in collaboration with the Bourn Lab.
All 9th graders take a Computer Science class as a graduation requirement at Castilleja. Here, students in Ann Greyson's class show their "Not-Still Life" Java programming projects to each other.
Meet the Faculty
English
Castilleja’s English program balances discovery and exposure, creating space for students to find their voice and share their interests, while also introducing them to great works of literature, helpful ways of thinking, and effective methods for analysis and interpretation. Students leave with a solid foundation of advanced literary analysis, extensive experience with creative writing, and a lifelong love of reading.
With an emphasis on the principles of good writing rather than rigid rules, Castilleja's writing curriculum encourages students to develop their own voices. Castilleja's English courses deepen students' ability to think critically, reason abstractly, and reflect upon questions and issues that have no easy answers.
Upper School students in Dr. Valerie Ross's AT: Shakespeare class reenact scenes from The Merchant of Venice in our open-air courtyard.
Middle School teacher Dr. Jasmin Miller helps students discover their voices through reading assignments and class discussions. One of Dr. Miller's innovative approaches is the Harkness Discussion: she keeps time while students practice speaking and listening while gathered at a round table, making sure everyone contributes. Learn more about Dr. Miller's approach.
Meet the Faculty
Fitness
In Fitness, Castilleja students develop the skills to become the drivers and designers of their own lifelong, active habits. Through active participation in a wide variety of games and physical activities, students learn to safely challenge themselves and reflect on the impact and importance of movement on well-being, social connections, and self-expression. Fitness classes offer opportunities for students to explore roles and ideas and build relationships while fostering compassion for themselves and others as lifelong learners. As competent, confident, and responsible leaders, students are empowered to effectively collaborate, problem-solve, and communicate when making choices and taking action for personal health, enjoyment, and community well-being.
Meet the Faculty
History Social-Science
In the History-Social Science department, we seek to cultivate a deep understanding of the past in order to provide the skills and tools for our students to actively engage in society. As history teachers, we help students develop a framework for valuing the complex ideas and diverse perspectives of the world in which they live. Through an intentional seven-year program of courses, students hone skills in critical thinking, historical analysis, source analysis, in-depth research, analytical writing, and verbal engagement with teachers and fellow students through presentations, small group discussions, written analysis, and student-led seminars. Spanning world and American histories, civics, and ancient civilizations, as well as special area and social science electives, our courses offer an expansive opportunity for students to consider diverse perspectives, develop a global view on historical issues, and practice strong analytical thinking and writing skills. Students are active participants in learning history and applying their knowledge to answering today's problems.Students hone their skills in critical thinking, thoughtful reading from a variety of sources, deep research, analytical writing, and both formal and extemporaneous speaking. Course offerings range from world and United States history to area studies, economics, and psychology.
Dr. Chrislaine Miller, Castilleja's Middle School history teacher, recently launched a 6th grade Mini Model UN project. Students simulate a UN Assembly and join hundreds of thousands of such students worldwide.
Our teachers often collaborate across disciplines, like Mandarin teacher Lee Kerk and history teacher Dr. Christy StoryHA. Their students got to research global topics, from international law to human rights, while cultivating active listening and presentation skills (and sampling cultural foods). Read about their collaboration!
Meet the Faculty
Brigitte Charaus
Departments:
History-Social Science
Mathematics
Our students are equipped with both the knowledge and the habits of mind to harness the power of mathematics. Our curriculum emphasizes the understanding of profound mathematical ideas and the development of key analytical skills in a setting that encourages inquiry, engagement, and joy in mathematics.
Differentiation and a supportive classroom environment empower students to take risks, foster resilience, deepen understanding, and facilitate a growth mindset as they develop proficiency and confidence in their mathematical skills. Students progress in their math practice by engaging with new material and persevering through confusion and difficulty. Teachers guide student inquiry through problems, discussions, readings, activities, direct instruction, projects, and collaborative work.
Our 6th grade students roll up their sleeves during the annual 6th Grade Building Project, where they build benches, flower planters, cubbies, little libraries, and more. Their final creations are then distributed across the campus and the classrooms for everyone to enjoy. This interdisciplinary project is a result of the collaboration between science teacher Sarah Barnum and math teacher Nick Jerrold, who developed it as part of Castilleja's summer grant. Read more about the 6th Grade Building Project here.
Upper School students in Rachel Tucker's statistics class pick a real-world issue they’re curious about and perform in-depth statistical analysis. In small groups, they research what’s been said and measured about their topic, then use histograms, scatter plots, and significance testing to draw conclusions and explain their processes.
Meet the Faculty
Lisa Willis
Departments:
Mathematics
Science
Castilleja students learn to become scientifically literate citizens and future scientists. Through innovative, inquiry-based pedagogy, open-ended labs and structured demonstrations, they gain a solid understanding of fundamental scientific principles and learn to think like scientists. The breadth and depth of our curriculum engages students both individually and in groups as they construct their own learning and develop the analytical thinking, problem solving, and deductive reasoning skills necessary to scientific inquiry.
Middle School students are learning about circuitry and coding as they use a Makey Makey circuit board and Scratch to make their ideas come to life.
Students in Biotechnology & Bioethics class use paper, scissors, and tape to model the process of cloning the insulin gene into a plasmid.
Meet the Faculty
Visual and Performing Arts
The Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) are an integral part of the Castilleja experience, weaving together knowledge, skill development, and self-expression while enriching the cultural life of our community.
Through an exploration of each arts discipline—dance, instrumental and vocal music, theatre arts, and visual art—students learn to be creators, collaborators, leaders, and risk takers. Students have numerous opportunities to develop abilities, pursue passions, and put their best work on stage or on display.
Middle School students perform in the school production of Matilda the Musical, Jr.
Soaking in some inspiration in the art studio.
Meet the Faculty
Wellness
Working in collaboration with the Fitness department, students spend part of their Fitness time in Wellness classes. Castilleja’s Wellness program starts in 6th grade and continues through the end of 10th grade. Wellness has five set themes that are explored each year, with the emphasis of one theme over the other as students developmentally progress. Wellness classes allow students to explore 5 topics, which include communication, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, mindfulness/gratitude, self-identity, and self-awareness/self-regulation.
In Middle School, students build skills around decision making, resilience, creating healthy coping mechanisms, and how to engage with the world around them. In 9th and 10th grade, students practice clear communication with themselves and others to reassess habits that support and sustain their well-being. They also build off their knowledge of emotional intelligence, literacy and regulation to reflect on how their individual qualities support their well- being.
Currently, the Wellness program works in partnership with Health Connected to provide a comprehensive sexual health curriculum to 6th, 8th, and 10th grade. Students are educated around changes in the body, consent, identity, relationships, and safety.
Meet the Faculty
World Languages
At Castilleja, learning a second language (French, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish) is a positive and rewarding experience. Beyond the goal of mastery of the material, our students develop critical thinking skills and effective learning strategies that facilitate second language acquisition and use of the language outside of the school setting.
Students develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills as they gain an understanding of, appreciation for, and sensitivity to the cultures of the target language. Students enjoy the benefits and values of studying a second language to become engaged and committed global citizens.
Language learning at Castilleja is a joyful experience. It opens up our students’ worlds and teaches them to value different viewpoints. Here, our quadrilingual Mandarin teacher, Ms. Hwai Lin, is helping students say "panda" in Mandarin - hear it for yourself here and read more about Ms. Lin.
French teacher Madame Shannon hosts a tea party during her AT French Language and Culture class. Students savor tea and Madeleine cookies while reminiscing about things that are dear to them and discussing Marcel Proust’s novel In Search of Lost Time and the Proust Phenomenon, the idea that smell and taste can awaken vivid memories. Delicious, fancy, and an excellent way to practice past tense!