Our Senior School (13-18yrs)
For over 200 year Dollar has been nurturing young people to make the most of their potential, going out into the world to make a positive difference.
We know that happy and engaged children get the most from school and we do our utmost to ensure this. All we do is underpinned by our core values of Work Hard, Be Kind and Get Involved.
Of course, growing up in is not a straightforward task and like any journey there will be a few bumps along the way. This is no bad thing as with the right support it is at times like these when we learn the most about ourselves. At Dollar you will find a closeknit and supportive community ready to help your child learn and grow.
I warmly invite you to visit us and learn more about the school.
– Robin Pyper, Deputy Rector
Academic Curriculum
Dollar’s super-curriculum is much more varied and modern than you might expect and a wider range of SQA examination subjects is available than at any other school in Scotland.
We start with a broad range of subjects in Form I and Form II to allow growing minds to find out what interests them most.
Co-curricular
Participation in our co-curricular programme provides pupils with valuable opportunities to develop transferable skills that will support them through each stage of their education.
These activities help foster a well-rounded development, allowing children to explore their interests and build new skills in a supportive environment.
Boarding at Dollar
Our boarding community is at the very core of Dollar Academy, and it has been for over two hundred years.
We are rightly proud to be the world’s oldest co-educational day and boarding school, and we like to think that we have learnt more than a thing or two about looking after our boarders over the years. As such, boarding at Dollar Academy looks and feels different to many other schools.
The Futures Institute at Dollar Academy (FIDA)
FIDA offers alternatives to traditional subject-based learning, in which pupils have the opportunity to tackle real-world problems with a focus on sustainability.
This year, FIDA has launched a new qualification – the International Sustainability Diploma. Open to learners across Scotland and beyond, the Diploma is being piloted in a number of schools in the 2024/25 session ahead of a wider launch in 2025/26.
The Diploma programme offers a different style of learning and teaching, aligned with the recommendations of the Hayward Review (2023). Rooted in the UN Sustainable Development Goals and co-designed with experts from industry and universities, students learn through developing solutions to real-world problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What subjects are offered in the Senior School?
Dollar Academy provides a broad curriculum, offering a wider range of SQA examination subjects than any other school in Scotland.
In Form VI, optional modules include subjects such as Microbiology, Astronomy, Philosophy, and Italian. Younger pupils also engage in subjects like coding, robotics, debating, cooking, and classics.
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How many subjects do pupils take each year?
In Forms I and II, pupils study a broad range of subjects to explore their interests. In Form III, they select seven or eight subjects and begin the two-year National Qualifications course.
In Form V, pupils typically take Higher examinations in five subjects, with options including Advanced Highers available in Form VI.
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What support systems are in place for pupils?
Dollar Academy emphasizes a supportive environment with a dedicated guidance team, including Heads and Assistant Heads of Year, and a School Counsellor.
Additionally, the Support for Learning Department assists pupils who experience barriers to learning during their time at school.
