Electives may include creative writing, publications, women in literature, SAT review, African-American history, peace studies, political science, and Western philosophy. Arts electives include acting, communications, dance and choreography, vocal and instrumental music, and a variety of visual arts such as design, illustration, and photography. In a typical year, more than half of the senior class and several underclass students take AP examinations in such subjects as English, French, Spanish, U.S. history, calculus, chemistry, and physics. Independent study is also available. The school year is divided into semesters.
Examinations take place at the end of the first semester and at the end of the year.
Students receive letter grades and teacher and adviser comments four times a year. Progress reports are provided as necessary during the school year. Day students reside in Springfield and nearby Massachusetts and northern Connecticut towns. Boarding students currently come from China, Germany, Ivory Coast, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and the Netherlands. Academic Facilities School life revolves around Rutenber Hall, named for Ralph D. Rutenber, the Headmaster from 1941 to 1972.