Sectioning Students are sectioned according to ability in most departments. Advanced students may take honors courses where they will cover more material than those in regular or basic sections. This system gives each student the opportunity to develop his capacity to the fullest. Students are not permitted to accelerate or graduate a year early by accumulating extra credits. Students whose performance puts them in the top five percent of their fifth form class or the top fifteen percent of their sixth form class are inducted into the Cum Laude Society.
Membership is based solely on academic standing.
The Woodberry Chapter of the society, the high school equivalent of Phi Beta Kappa, received its charter in April 1952. A student normally earns 20 credits by graduation. The required course load in each form is five courses, usually four year-long courses and one special trimester course or other elective. Each student must have three credits in health and physical education. In addition to the academic requirements, all students are expected to perform a minimum of 60 hours of community service work in order to graduate.