Freshman year presents many opportunities for growth, exploration, and community.  The year begins with the Freshman Gathering, followed by Welcome Week, when the entire school takes part in introducing the newest students to the community.  Welcome Week culminates with Friday's Spirit Assembly and Welcome Dance.

Much of the focus of freshman year is on creating a cohesive class.  The incoming students arrive from approximately 30 different middle schools and a wide range of backgrounds and skill levels. The freshman curriculum and activities ensure that students are academically and socially prepared for their next three years at Branson.  Throughout the year freshmen engage fully in their classes,connect with their teachers, get to know other students, and build the relationships that will last a lifetime. All freshmen are enrolled in English I and a world history course called Roots of Civilization.  Depending on a student’s interests or experience, freshmen can choose from five languages, two science classes, and a wide variety of fine arts classes. Freshmen are enrolled in a mathematics class according to how they do on the Branson Algebra Placement Test.  Freshmen also begin to sample a variety of extracurricular offerings from athletics and clubs to community service projects.

Sophomore year brings with it a more challenging workload with greater responsibility, but also greater freedom. Having a year's experience at Branson, students are encouraged to try more both in and out of the classroom.  All sophomores are enrolled in Modern World History and English II.  Depending on what classes a student took as a freshman, in their sophomore year they will continue advancing along their language and mathematics tracks.  More choices are available in the sciences, from Marine Biology and Physics, to Biotechnology.

Junior year allows for yet more freedom and opportunities, as well as the joy of finally being an upperclassman. The workload increases, and the teachers expect students to take the initiative.  The Juniors also demonstrate their leadership through two seminal events: at the beginning of the year the junior class conceptualizes and executes the Junior Talent Show (JTS) and in the spring the class organizes the Junior-Senior Prom.

All juniors are required to take U.S. History, but they are given the chance to choose their own term-long classes in English. There are many more choices in science.  Juniors also take the PSAT and SAT and start thinking about college.

Senior year means independence,the chance to look back at your first three years at Branson and lead the student body by example.  So many opportunities for seniors abound, not least of which is choosing the colleges that fit the person you have become.

Seniors are given the opportunity to take a wide variety of electives, which allow them to further pursue their intellectual interests.  The senior class also sets the tone for the entire school, especially since they often act as freshman mentors. 

During the last five weeks of school, seniors have the option to leave campus to work on their senior internships.  Each senior chooses a project that inspires them, and spends their final weeks of school exploring their passion.  And who could forget the ultimate independence: off-campus privileges!