Lower School Tour Brochure 2023-24

Where love and learning first meet.

WESTMINSTER IS A CHRISTIAN, INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL FOR BOYS AND GIRLS WHICH SEEKS TO DEVELOP THE WHOLE PERSON FOR COLLEGE AND FOR LIFE THROUGH EXCELLENT EDUCATION.

“In our Lower School, children are valued as unique individuals with limitless potential, and they are challenged to grow as empathetic community members who care about the world around them.”

— Lauren DuPriest, Head of Lower School

Leadership

Lauren DuPriest Head of Lower School

Becky McKnight Director of Student Life and Chaplain, LS Whitney Woodward Director of Teaching and Learning, Pre-First through Second Grade

Laura Koppropp Director of Teaching and Learning, Third through Fifth Grade

Camille May Counselor, LS Sophie Daniels Psychologist/Learning Strategist

By the Numbers

325 faculty members

80

Sasha Mills Learning Strategist

Wendy Jenkins Sheats Senior Director of Admissions

Nicole Victor Director of Lower School Admissions

of our faculty hold graduate degrees

average number of years in the teaching profession

1882 students

1355 families

49 82 13% 18 81%

of students receiving financial aid

new students from 48 distinct zip codes

43% students of color

244 Lower School faculty members cities in the greater Atlanta area different zip codes schoolwide

Additional members of the Lower School Leadership team include the Civic Engagement Coordinator and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinators.

Beyond the Classroom

Lower School students have the opportunity to engage in service opportunities through classroom experiences, leadership opportunities, and school-wide philanthropic initiatives. Families can participate in service alongside students during Family Service Saturdays, which are offered by the Glenn Institute in collaboration with PAWS. Students also serve their community during the school day through service learning experiences. Each grade level works with a partner organization on a project that connects to curriculum. For example: first graders practice their reading skills with senior residents at the Jewish Home, fourth grade students work with second graders at a local Atlanta public school, and fifth grade classes partner with nonprofit organizations during CATapult, a year long leadership and civic engagement course. Service events include:

• Angel Tree

• Children’s Literature Outreach

• Reader-to-Reader Book Collection

• Shower for the Shelters

Class Schedule

The Lower School schedule uses a seven-day rotation in which class periods range from 30 to 180 minutes of time. Core subjects meet daily and specials meet between one and three times per sever-day rotation.

Student Life

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) tackles five major components—selfawareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making—through a variety of experiences such as:

Bible Values Class

Four Community Values: 4 B’s

Morning Meeting

CATapult Leadership (fifth)

Community Assemblies

Second Step SEL Curriculum (pre-first–fifth)

Challenging, Innovative Outdoor Play Spaces

Daily Recess

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Westminster, you will find many forms of diversity among our students, families, faculty, and staff. Most importantly, you will find a community grounded in learning from one another, in love and in service. Our commitment to Christian values leads us to welcome all in an inclusive, supportive community. We honor the unique traits and backgrounds of each member of our School and recognize cultural competency as an essential skill for meaningful and effective leadership. We foster this competency and celebrate our diverse community by consistently engaging in affinity dialogue, inclusion programs, and equity-based professional development experiences.

STUDENT INITIATIVES

• Affinity groups

Banana Splits (Children of Divorce)

Black/African American Affinity Group

Hispanic/Latino Affinity Group (Hispanic)

Lighthouse (Christian Prayer Group)

Little Latkes (Jewish)

Mini Dumplings (East Asian)

Multiracial Affinity Group

S.A.G (South Asian)

• Diverse speakers and performers at assemblies

• Featured artists and author visits

• Connect and Respect (pre-first-fifth)

• Lunch Bunch monthly book club (fifth)

PARENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Affinity groups

East House (East Asian)

HOLA (Hispanic)

Moms in Prayer (Christian)

Mosaic (multicultural)

• Community cultural celebrations

• Parent education opportunities

FACULTY PROGRAMMING

• Affinity and support groups

• Lunch and Learn educational series

• Arts and culture excursions

SAPNA (South Asian)

Shalom Cats (Jewish)

The Village (African American)

• New teacher workshops and professional development

• Visits and assessments by nationally recognized consultants

• Annual minority recruitment career fair

• A dedicated team of faculty members to lead inclusion programs

Extracurricular Enrichment

The Lower School offers a number of voluntary opportunities outside of the school day including:

Chorus (fourth & fifth) Intramurals (third–fifth) Museum Club (fifth)

Robotics Club (fourth)

Stop Motion Animation Studio (fifth)

WiredCats Robotics Team (fifth)

After School Kids! (ASK!) is our fee-based after-school enrichment program, available daily from dismissal time until 6:00 p.m. (pre-first–fifth).

Visual Arts

The Lower School art room is a place of discovery where students develop fundamental skills and creative confidence. Supported by four full-time art teachers, students work collaboratively and independently to observe and interpret their world.

Highlights:

• Large-scale paintings support research on endangered African animals

• Kehinde Wiley-inspired self-portraits explore digital artmaking and representation in art

• Hand-built ceramics demonstrate form and function

Performing Arts

MUSIC

Guided by two music specialists, our students discover the lifelong joy of singing, moving, performing, creating, and listening.

Highlights:

• Vocalization and instrumentation

• Utilization of iMac music technology to create and analyze music

• Exploration of the cultural contexts of music

• Development of performance skills in orchestra and band

THEATER

Students learn to use their imaginations, take risks, work together, listen with intention, solve problems, and communicate effectively through our interdisciplinary program.

Highlights:

• Westward Expansion immersion experience

• Ancient Civilizations Parade and Living Museum

• Civil Rights/Arts integrated presentations

• Lovestock

Community Engagement

We believe students develop as whole persons through engaging with their communities. Lower School students and families actively partner with a variety of organizations including The William Breman Jewish Home, Central Presbyterian Church Night Shelter, Trees Atlanta, Children’s Literature for Children, Atlanta Youth Academy, and Shower for the Shelters.

In all grades, the academic curriculum is infused with opportunities for students to grow as active citizens. CATapult is a yearlong leadership development course for fifth graders, sponsored by The Glenn Institute. Students partner with a community organization of their choosing, engaging in meaningful ways through sustained partnership and on-site visits.

Athletics

LOWER SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Within a context of lifelong wellness, our six physical education faculty members lead a fun, developmentally appropriate program to help students cultivate skills and confidence.

Highlights:

• Engaging non-elimination activities (e.g., Pillow Polo, Hula Hut Throw Down)

• Use of Love Hall Gym, Field House, Turner Gym/Natatorium, and tennis courts

Empowering Every Student’s Journey

At Westminster, we’re dedicated to providing an enriching, accessible education. With over 50 years of legacy, our Financial Assistance program embodies our commitment to every bright, motivated student’s success. Annually, we allocate over $6 million in aid, ensuring access to those who qualify.

Operating independently from admissions, our financial aid team offers grants to all students who qualify for admission and whose parents qualify for tuition assistance based on family financial need. Our financial aid team is available to answer questions and works hard to ensure transparency in our process.

Join our inclusive community, where each student’s potential is celebrated. Discover possibilities at Westminster, where we shape brighter futures.

Please keep these important admissions dates in mind:

October 1 | Online application opens

January 12 | Application deadline

January 12 | Financial Assistance Application deadline

January 26 | Supplemental application materials due March 30 | Decisions announced online

To start the application process for the 2024-25 school year, visit: westminster.net/apply.

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