Upper School Grades 9-12
Our students are passionate about learning and motivated to excel. We value community and support an environment where students are celebrated for who they are.
Academic Approach
In the Upper School our pursuit of academic excellence guides us in challenging each student to achieve their personal best while valuing their individual skills and unique interests. We actively encourage our students to participate in service, leadership, athletics, and the creative and performing arts. We believe that learning happens best when a student is engaged with the course content, develops their own sense of inquiry, and desires to interact with and impact the wider world.
Graduation requirements include 25+ credits and 50+ hours of community service. The academic year is divided into two semesters, and students take a minimum of six courses for credit per semester. Independent offers a wide variety of core and elective classes as well as Advanced Placement (AP) courses and Dual Credit classes through local universities.
Signature Programs
Meet Ms. Atherly
Lura Jo Atherly was born and raised in the Wichita area, graduating from Derby High School in 1984. She attended Kansas State University graduating with a BS in Elementary Education in 1988. Returning to Wichita after graduation, Ms. Atherly worked in the Wichita Public Schools (WPS) for 34 years serving as a teacher, learning coach and administrator. She earned her Masters in School Leadership from Newman University and her ESOL endorsement from Kansas State University in 2005.
In her time with WPS, Ms. Atherly worked in a variety of school settings and roles. She was involved in the development of the Pre IB program at Robinson Middle School and the rebranding of Jardine STEM and Career Explorations Academy that has received national recognition for their work with Magnet School of America. As a result of her work at Jardine, Ms. Atherly was awarded the Magnet Schools of America Region VII Principal of the Year Award in 2016, the Kansas Association of Secondary Schools Principals Area IV Middle School Principal of the Year 2018, the Kansas Association of Middle Level Administrators Exemplary Principal of the Year 2019 and the Kansas Association of Middle Level Administrators Principal of the Year in 2019.
Ms. Atherly has been involved in several community organizations while in Wichita. She is a Sustaining Member of the Junior League of Wichita, has served on the Board of Director for Arts Partners and received the Community Excellence Award from the Love Your Community Organization. Ms. Atherly is an avid K-Stater and mom to fur babies Scooter and Penny.