WESTMINSTER Lower School
Where love and learning first meet.
“In the Lower School, we inspire bright young minds to love learning, grow in leadership and service to others, and see challenges as opportunities.” — Whit McKnight Head of Lower School
OUR MISSION 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.
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Leadership Keith Evans President
Lauren DuPriest Director of Operations and Communications, LS
Jim Justice Dean of Academics and Curriculum
Becky McKnight Chaplain and Director of Student Life, LS
Marjorie Mitchell Director of Enrollment Management
Claire Strowd Director of Admissions Tavia Mullen Associate Director, LS Admissions
Brooke Hight & Laura Koppropp Directors of Teaching and Learning, LS
Whit McKnight Head of Lower School
By the Numbers 301
faculty members
80%
of our faculty hold graduate degrees
14% 2
246
Lower School faculty members
average number of years in the teaching profession
17
of students receive financial aid
1870 students
83
cities in the greater Atlanta area
new students from 45 distinct zip codes
1285 families
47
35% students of color
84
different zip codes schoolwide
For more facts and figures, visit westminstr.co/adm_facts_ls
OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT EACH WESTMINSTER STUDENT IS HEALTHY AND HAPPY. MEALS ARE CAREFULLY PLANNED BY OUR LICENSED DIETICIAN AND PREPARED ON SITE EACH DAY WITH LOCALLY SOURCED INGREDIENTS. A TEAM OF ON-SITE NURSES HELPS OUR STUDENTS STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.
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Class Schedule These are examples of classes and activities that pre-first and fifth grade students have in a typical seven-day rotation. Class periods vary from 30 to 75 minutes. PRE-FIRST Morning Meeting (7) Art (2) Assembly (1) Bible Values (1) Children’s Literature (1) Design Thinking (1) French or Spanish (3) GOAL: Growth Opportunities for All Learners (12x per trimester) Handwriting (3) Literacy (7) Math (7) Music (2) PE (3) Recess (7) Science (2) Social Emotional Learning (SEL) (1) Social Studies Explorations (2x per week) Word Study (4)
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FIFTH GRADE Morning Meeting (7) Art (1) Assembly (1) Bible Values/SEL (1) Design Thinking (1) French or Spanish (4) GOAL: Growth Opportunities for All Learners (12x per trimester) Literacy (7) Math (7) Music (3) PE (3) Recess (7) Science (3) Social Studies (4) Urban EdVenture (1)
Parentheses indicate the number of times a class or activity meets during each rotation.
For more information, visit westminstr.co/adm_academics_ls
Curriculum Our Lower School curriculum engages and inspires exceptionally bright, curious minds to love learning and thrive on challenge. Our teachers regularly pursue professional development to leverage the latest research-based educational practices. Hallmarks of our program include: • Interdisciplinary project-based learning • Team teaching model with low teacher-to-student ratio • GOAL: Growth Opportunities for All Learners • 1:1 Apple technology • Design Thinking: empathy to problem-find and problem-solve • Reading and Writing Workshop • Math in Focus: Singapore Math
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Student Life Social Emotional Learning (SEL) at Westminster tackles five major components – self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making – through a variety of experiences: Bible Values Class Four Community Values: 4 B’s Morning Meeting CATapult Leadership (fifth) Community Assemblies Second Step SEL Curriculum (pre-first–fourth) AMAZE: Anti-bias Curriculum (third–fourth) Challenging, Innovative Outdoor Play Spaces Lunch Bunch: Multicultural Book Club (fifth) Daily Recess
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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)
ASK! 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).
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For more information, visit westminstr.co/adm_ask_ls
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: • “ International Dot Day” inspires creative courage via collaboration with an Australian school. • Large-scale paintings facilitate research on endangered African animals. • Islamic patterns underscore the connection between art and geometry. • Fifth graders collaborate on a joint service learning project.
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 Greek Parade and Living Museum Civil Rights/Arts integrated presentations “Lest We Forget” (Veterans Day community production)
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Community Engagement We believe students develop as whole persons through engaging with their communities. Lower School students and families actively partner with such organizations as Habitat for Humanity, Hollywood Road Fire Station 28, 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 five 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
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Notes
Please keep these important admissions dates in mind: October 1 - Online application opens January 21 - Online application closes January 31 - Supplementary materials due February 17 - JATP results due April 3 - Decisions announced online To start the application process for the 2020-21 school year, visit: westminster.net/apply. Follow Westminster:
WESTMINSTER Love. Challenge. Lead. Change. WESTMINSTER.NET | 404-609-6202 1424 WEST PACES FERRY ROAD, NW | ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30327