Where love and learning first meet.
Lower School WESTMINSTER
— Lauren DuPriest, Interim 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.
“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.”
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By the Numbers new students from 35 distinct zip codes Leadership Keith Evans President Jim Justice Dean of Academics and Curriculum Marjorie Mitchell Director of Enrollment Management Lauren DuPriest Interim Head of Lower School Becky McKnight Director of Student Life and Chaplain, LS Whitney Woodward & Laura Koppropp Directors of Teaching and Learning, LS Camille May Counselor, LS Claire Strowd Director of Admissions Christina Lampa Associate Director, LS Admissions Additional members of the Lower School Leadership team include the Learning Strategists, Civic Engagement Coordinator, and Equity and Inclusion Coordinators. 2 1363 families 40% students of color 82 47 8213% 17 80% 219Lower School faculty members cities in the greater Atlanta area different zip codes schoolwide of students receiving financial aid of our faculty hold graduate degrees average number of years in the teaching profession 1880 students Visit westminster.net/admissions for more information. 300+ faculty members
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)
Connect and Respect (DE&I) (1)
Spanish (3)
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)
FIFTH GRADE
Morning Meeting (7)
Art (1)
Assembly (1)
Bible Values/SEL (1)
Design Thinking (1)
Connect and Respect (DE&I) (1)
French or Spanish (4)
Humanities (7)
Math (7)
Music (3)
PE (3)
Recess (11)
Science (3)
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) (1)
Social Studies (4)
CATapult (1)
Parentheses indicate the number of times a class or activity meets during each rotation.
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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
• Social and Emotional Learning
• 1:1 Apple technology
• Design Thinking: empathy to problem-find and problem-solve
• Reading and Writing Workshop
• Think Mathematics: 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–fifth)
Challenging, Innovative Outdoor Play Spaces
Daily Recess
Diversity, Equity, andInclusion
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
• Connect and Respect (pre-first-fifth)
• Lunch Bunch monthly book club (fifth)
PARENT OPPORTUNITIES
Affinity
FACULTY PROGRAMMING
New teacher
Visits and
A dedicated team of faculty members to
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groups • Community cultural celebrations • Parent education opportunities
• Affinity and support groups • Lunch and Learn educational series • Arts and culture excursions •
workshops and professional development •
assessments by nationally recognized consultants • Annual minority recruitment career fair •
lead inclusion programs
Extracurricular Enrichment The Lower School offers a number of voluntary opportunities outside of the school day including: 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). 7 Visit westminster.com/ask for more information. Chorus (fourth & fifth) Intramurals (third–fifth) Museum Club (fifth) Robotics Club (fourth) Stop Motion Animation Studio (fifth) WiredCats Robotics Team (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:
• “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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Please keep these important admissions dates in mind:
October 1 | Online application opens January 15 | Application deadline
January 15 | Financial Aid deadline
January 30 | Supplementary materials due April 1 | Decisions announced online
To start the application process for the 2023-24 school year, visit: westminster.net/apply.
Follow Westminster:
Love. Challenge. Lead. Change.
WESTMINSTER.NET | 404-609-6202
1424 WEST PACES FERRY ROAD, NW | ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30327
Notes
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