WESTMINSTER Middle School
Learning to love challenge.
“In the Middle School, our passion is cultivating a nurturing, challenging, dynamic program for young adolescents. We blend challenge with joy, ever mindful that learning shapes becoming.” — Danette Morton Head of Middle 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 Jim Justice Dean of Academics and Curriculum Marjorie Mitchell Director of Enrollment Management
Chuck Breithaupt Director of Operations and Supervision, MS
Tina McCormick Director of Student Life and Chaplain, MS
Leslie Ann Little Assistant Head for Academic Programs, MS
Claire Strowd Director of Admissions Wendy Sheats Associate Director, MS Admissions
Heather Karvis Dean of Students, MS
Danette Morton Head of Middle School Additional members of the Middle School Leadership Team include the Counselors, Equity and Inclusion Coordinators, and our six Grade Chairs.
By the Numbers faculty members
80%
122
of our faculty hold graduate degrees
14% 2
new MS students from 36 different feeder schools
of students receive financial aid
1870 students
301 86
Middle School faculty members
cities in the greater Atlanta area
17
average number of years in the teaching profession
35%
246
students of color
new students from 45 distinct zip codes
1285 families
47
84
different zip codes schoolwide
For more facts and figures, visit westminstr.co/adm_facts_ms
Curriculum Teachers, working in Professional Learning Community (PLC) teams, collaboratively plan lessons that inspire students to work hard, think critically, and stretch their perceived limits. Through a wide variety of strategies, including project-based learning, STEAM initiatives, service learning, and high-tech applications, students experience how the iterative learning process rewards persistence and teamwork. Grade 6
English
History & Electives
Math
Science
Grade 7
Grade 8
Literature, Composition, Grammar/Usage, and Research (single-gender)
Literature, Composition, Grammar/Usage, and Research (single-gender)
World Cultures: Geography
US History
Writing Camp, Advertising and Media, Journalism, Coding, Creative Writing, Economics, Future City, Architectural Design, Leadership 101, and Serve ATL
Math 6
Pre-Algebra* Advanced Concepts 7
Algebra 1* Advanced Concepts 8
Climate’s Link to Life
Human Biology (semester)
Energy, Machines, and Motion
Literature, Composition, and Grammar/Usage
Properties of Matter
Bible & Religious Studies
Languages
Physical Education
Fine Arts
Bible Values (one week)
Exploring the Bible (semester)
French*, Latin, Spanish*, or Chinese (Mandarin)
French*, Latin, Spanish*, or Chinese (Mandarin)
French*, Latin, Spanish*, or Chinese (Mandarin)
Girls 7/Boys 7 (single-gender)
Girls 8/Boys 8 (single-gender)
Architecture Band Chorus Dance Drama Drama in Performance Orchestra Theatre Arts Visual Arts
Architecture Band Chorus (Concert Choir) Dance Drama Orchestra Public Speaking Theatre Arts/Film Studies Visual Arts
Girls 6/Boys 6 (single-gender) Band Chorus Drama Music/Theatre Arts Orchestra Visual Arts
* Regular and Accelerated Math and Language courses offered for experienced students
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For more information, visit westminstr.co/adm_academics_ms
Student Life The middle school years are a dynamic time of growth across every dimension. It is our hope that through these genuine experiences, students will learn how to create the conditions for civil community, solve their own problems, and engage in moral decision making, the cornerstones of good character.
SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL • Small group homeroom program • Guidance curriculum • Assembly programming • Counseling and Wellness Center with on-site team of counselors • Parent education • Equity and inclusion • Affinity groups
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PHYSICAL • Health curriculum • Physical education • Nutritionally balanced meal choices • Concussion awareness, care guidelines, and support • On-site team of registered nurses and a pediatric nurse practitioner • Recess and fruit breaks
Middle School Weekly Class Schedule Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
7:55-8:10
Monday Morning Meeting
Homeroom
Supervised Study Hall Available
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8:15-9:05
P1
P7
2
9:10-10:05
P2
P1
10:05-10:15
Break
3
10:20-11:15
P3
Thursday
Friday
Homeroom
Homeroom
Group Homeroom Advisement 8:45-9:00 8:45-9:00
P4
P3
P5 P5 9:05-9:50 9:05-9:50
P5
P4
P6 P6 9:55-10:40 9:55-10:40
Break
Break Break 10:40-10:50
P6
Late-start Day
Recess/ Homeroom
Recess/ Homeroom
P7 10:55-11:40 11:15-11:50
Lunch 6/7
Lunch 6/7
12:10-12:45
Lunch 8
Lunch 8
P4
P2
8 11:20-12:10
4
6/7 11:55-12:45
Lunch 6/7 6/7 Lunch 11:40-12:15 11:40-12:15
Lunch 8 12:30-1:05 8–P1 11:45-12:30
Lunch 6/7
Lunch 6/7
Lunch 8
Lunch 8
P7
P5
6/7–P1 12:20-1:05
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12:50-1:45
P5
P3
P2 1:10-1:55
P1
P6
6
1:50-2:45
P6
P4
P3 2:00-2:45
P2
P7
2:45-3:30
Office Hours
Office Hours
Office Hours
Office Hours
3:45-6:00
Supervised Study Hall
Supervised Study Hall
Supervised Study Hall
Supervised Study Hall
The Middle School schedule features seven courses, rotating, six periods a day. Each course meets four days per week. Wednesdays are late start days that begin at 8:45 a.m., allowing teachers to meet as a whole faculty each week. Office Hours provide time at the end of the day (Monday–Thursday) for students to check in with teachers, make up missed work, ask additional questions, or start/finish homework.
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Community Engagement Westminster’s Glenn Institute facilitates opportunities for students to authentically engage with the Atlanta community. Students learn about Atlanta’s successes and recognize opportunities to address real needs as they develop critical competencies for civic leadership. In Middle School, students engage with the community in numerous ways during the school day, as well as after school. Problem-based approaches in academic classrooms help students explore and identify effective, sustainable solutions in response to community and societal needs. Our ServeATL class is a place for eighth graders to learn about pressing issues in Atlanta, hear from civic leaders who are addressing those challenges, and discover ways they can be involved. Activities like Service Council and Serving on the 7’s are designed to give interested students more opportunities to lead as difference-makers in our school community, in Atlanta, and beyond. MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY PARTNERS INCLUDE: • • • •
Agape Youth & Family Center Atlanta Community Food Bank Atlanta Habitat for Humanity MUST Ministries
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For more information, visit westminstr.co/adm_glenn_ms
Leadership Opportunities Admissions Ambassadors Chapel Council Class Representatives Community Council Global Ambassadors
Honor Council Prayer Group Leaders Service Council STEAM Council
Affinity Groups BSA (Black Student Affinity, girls and boys) Café con Leche (Hispanic/Latino) EAAG (East Asian Affinity Group)
Jewish Affinity Group Prism (LGBTQ) Samosas (South/Central Asian)
Student Clubs
Wildcats participate in a variety of clubs and activities. Below is just a small sample of clubs offered.
Academic Quiz Team Alfred Hitchcock Club Chess Club Dance Club Debate Dirtcatz Garden Club Girls Who Code Grade-Level Book Clubs GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) Jianzi (Traditional Chinese Sport) Jump Rope Club
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Latin Club MATHCOUNTS Monday Morning Prayer Group Ping Pong Club Robotics Serving on the 7’s Thursday Morning Bible Study WCAT Web Design Club Woodcats You Be the Chemist
For more information, visit westminstr.co/adm_clubs_ms
The Arts PERFORMING ARTS Band Chorus Dance Orchestra Theatre Arts
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VISUAL ARTS Exploration of Materials and Expression Introduction to Design Principles Problem Solving through Creativity ORATORICAL AND COMMUNICATION ARTS Debate WCAT Broadcasting Station Wildcat Press X-Press Online Newspaper
For more information, visit westminstr.co/adm_arts_ms
Athletics 87% of Middle School students participate in athletics 36% of faculty members are also coaches 28 Middle School teams; 72 total teams 15 different sports 32 graduates of Westminster’s Class of 2019 signed with college athletic programs 2019 GADA Director’s Cup winner; Westminster has earned that title 18 of the last 19 years 286 state championships 8 state championships in 2018–19
SPORTS OFFERED Baseball Basketball Cross Country* Football* Golf
Gymnastics Lacrosse Soccer Softball Squash
Swimming* Tennis Track & Field* Volleyball Wrestling*
*non-cut sports
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For more information, visit westminstr.co/adm_athletics_ms
Connected Community Westminster offers a variety of opportunities for students to get involved with school life and explore and expand on their personal interests and skills. Here is a sample of the kinds of announcements Middle Schoolers hear on any given day: News: Come and Serve! We will be traveling to the Agape Community Center tomorrow to tutor and spend time with younger students in our Atlanta community. We will meet promptly at 2:45 p.m. in the Seminar Room of the GWL and return to Westminster at 4:45 p.m. Remember, NO previous experience or expertise required; just come ready to serve and share some love! Maker Faire Atlanta is next weekend! What’s Maker Faire, you ask? It’s a fair featuring DIY activities, arts, technology, robots, crafts, electronics, drones, and just plain fun! The Middle School Chorus will be performing their first concert of the year! It will take place immediately after school in Oglesby. They will be singing songs from Shrek, Harry Potter, and The Sound of Music. Please come and support your friends in chorus! Global Programs for this summer include Canada, China, Colorado, Equador, France, and Spain! Don’t forget to turn in your application for these exciting excursions to Señor Hoyos by this Friday. Affinity Groups: EAAG (East Asian affinity group) will be meeting with Ms. Rosetta Lee this Friday morning from 7:15 to 8:10 a.m. in the orchestra room in Broyles 302. Rosetta Lee is a renowned diversity speaker and trainer from Seattle Girls’ School. Donuts will be provided! Sports: All students in grades 7–12 who intend to try out for squash MUST email their name, grade, gender, and adult T-shirt size to Coach Byrd by October 3. Congratulations to the seventh grade football team for their outstanding 28–8 victory over a talented Marist team. It was a great team effort in all aspects. Special thanks to all those who came out to support us – the crowd was fantastic. Lunch: Grilled teriyaki chicken, sizzling sesame green beans, mushroom ginger lo mein, teriyaki tofu, and panini sandwich bar
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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 Mid-February - SSAT 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