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 faculty members
80%
of our faculty hold graduate degrees
12% 2
Lower School faculty members
average number of years in the teaching profession
17
of students receiving financial aid
1896 students
300+ 85
cities in the greater Atlanta area
266
new students from 43 distinct zip codes
1306 families
39
37%
79
students of color
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) Equity and Inclusion Learning (2) French or Spanish (3) GOAL: Growth Opportunities for All Learners (12x per trimester) Handwriting (3) Literacy (7) Math (7) Music (2) PE (3) Recess (11) 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) Equity and Inclusion Learning (2) French or Spanish (4) GOAL: Growth Opportunities for All Learners (12x per trimester) Literacy (7) Math (7) Music (3) PE (3) Recess (11) 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) 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– fourth) Challenging, Innovative Outdoor Play Spaces Daily Recess
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 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 • Diverse speakers and performers at assemblies • Featured artists and author visits • C.A.R.E (Conversations around Race and Equity) (pre-first-fifth) • AMAZE (Anti-bias Curriculum) (pre-first-fourth) • Lunch Bunch monthly book club (fifth) PARENT OPPORTUNITIES • Affinity groups • Community cultural celebrations • Parent education opportunities FACULTY PROGRAMMING • Affinity and support groups • Lunch and Learn educational series • Arts and culture excursions • 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
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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 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
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Notes
Please keep these important admissions dates in mind: October 1 - Online application opens January 15 - Online application closes January 29 - Supplementary materials due February 1 - Financial Aid deadline April 3 - Decisions announced online To start the application process for the 2021-22 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