WESTMINSTER Upper School
Those who love challenge grow up to lead change.
In the Upper School, we strive to build a community of connected learners who think critically and creatively and who lead with both confidence and compassion. — Dr. Chanley Small, Interim Head of Upper 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
Dr. Chanley Small Interim Head of Upper School
Jim Justice Dean of Academics and Curriculum Marjorie Mitchell Director of Enrollment Management
Tiffany Booze Director of Operations and Communications, US Juliet Allan Dean of Academics, US Nicole Justice Dean of Student Life, US
Brooks Batcheller Dean of Students, US Steve Frappier Director of College Counseling Claire Strowd Director of Admissions Danny Alexander Assistant Director, US Admissions
Additional members of the Upper School Leadership Team include Grade Chairs, Equity and Inclusion Coordinators, College Counselors, Learning Strategists, and Counselors.
By the Numbers faculty members
80%
of our faculty hold graduate degrees
11% 2
Upper School faculty members
average number of years in the teaching profession
17
of students receiving financial aid
1900 students
300+ 131
cities in the greater Atlanta area
38%
students of color
22
1370 families
241 new students
50
new Upper School students
86
different zip codes schoolwide
For more facts and figures, visit westminstr.co/adm_facts_us
Student Life Upper School students are challenged to integrate an evolving sense of who they are and what they value with the needs, demands, and opportunities of the world around them. Our Upper School provides students opportunities to embrace and solve these challenges with the following support: SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL • Advisement programming (10-12) • Assembly programming • Wellness and leadership program (9) • Guidance curriculum • Counseling and Wellness Center with on-site team of counselors • Parent education • Equity and inclusion programming • Affinity groups
PHYSICAL • Health curriculum • Physical education • Nutritionally balanced meal choices • Certified athletic trainers and staff • Concussion awareness, guidelines, and support team • On-site team of registered nurses and a pediatric nurse practitioner
Course Offerings Arts 32 courses, including AP Studio Art and Music Theory
Modern and Classical Languages 36 courses, including 5 APs and cultural study options
Bible and Religion Old and New Testament Bible and Social Ethics
Mathematics 15 courses, including 4 APs and Multivariable Calculus
Computer Science 5 courses, including 2 APs
Physical and Life Sciences 17 courses, including 5 APs, Engineering, and Neuropsychology
English 4 courses, including AP Literature and AP Language for all students History 10 courses, including AP European and US History
Physical Education Fitness for Life, Personal Fitness, and Sports Performance Special Programs Independent Study, Global Online Academy, and more
JANTERM offers students three weeks of interdisciplinary, collaborative, project-based study in an area of special interest to them. Students fully immerse themselves in their choice of more than 42 courses offered on and off campus. For a full list of courses, visit westminstr.co/adm_janterm_us.
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For more information, visit westminstr.co/adm_academics_us
Upper School Weekly Schedule Our seven-day rotating schedule allows students to engage in intensive study, fieldwork, and other enhanced learning opportunities. Advisors meet with students twice a week. Faculty office hours provide ample time to connect with teachers to review challenging topics. Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
A Day
B Day
C Day
D Day
E Day
Prep Time 7:45-8:30
PLC 7:45-8:30
Faculty & Dept. Meetings 8:00-9:00
PLC 7:45-8:30
Prep Time 7:45-8:30
Period 1 8:30-9:35
Period 5 8:30-9:35
Period 6 8:30-9:35
Period 3 8:30-9:35
Period 2 9:45-10:50
Period 6 9:45-10:50
Period 7 9:45-10:50
Period 4 9:45-10:50
Period 3 and Lunch (11:00-1:05)
Period 7 and Lunch (11:00-1:05)
Period 1 and Lunch (11:00-1:05)
Period 5 and Lunch (11:05-1:00)
9th: 11:40-12:15 10th: 11:55-12:30 11th: 12:05-12:40 12th: 12:30-1:05
9th: 11:40-12:15 10th: 11:55-12:30 11th: 12:05-12:40 12th: 12:30-1:05
9th: 11:40-12:15 10th: 11:55-12:30 11th: 12:05-12:40 12th: 12:30-1:05
9th: 11:40-12:15 10th: 11:55-12:30 11th: 12:05-12:40 12th: 12:25-1:00
Office Hours 1:10-1:50
9 Wellness & Leadership* and 10-12 Leadership 1:10-1:50
Advisement and Class Meetings 1:10-1:50
Assembly/ Club/Affinity 1:00-1:45
Period 4 1:55-3:00
Period 1 1:55-3:00
Office Hours 3:00-3:30
Office Hours 3:00-3:30
Period 2 9:00-10:05
Period 3 10:15-11:20
Period 4 and Lunch (11:30-1:35) 9th: 11:40-12:15 10th: 11:55-12:30 11th: 12:05-12:40 12th: 12:30-1:05
Period 5 1:45-2:50
Period 2 1:55-3:00 Office Hours 2:50-3:30
Office Hours 3:00-3:30
*Leadership Groups (Honor & Discipline Council, etc) may meet during this time.
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Period 6 1:45-2:45
Learning Beyond the Classroom Although COVID-19 paused international travel for an extended period of time, Westminster plans to continue Global Programs when possible and maintain relationships through virtual connections and other studentbased initiatives. GLOBAL PROGRAMS • Camino de Santiago • Costa Rica Ecology and Culture • Discovery Experiential Trips
• Marine Biology • Mt. Kenya Academy Exchange • Oxbow School (arts boarding school)
• Experiment in International Living
• Running through History: A Study of England and Europe
• Exploring the Holy Land
• School Year Abroad
• Governor’s Honors Program
• Sustainable Ocean Studies
• Guatemala Service Learning Program
• Westminster-in-Argentina Exchange
• Maine Semester School (Chewonki)
• Westminster-in-Strasbourg Exchange
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. In the Upper School, numerous student affinity groups provide space for students to examine their complex identities and discuss important issues. Students work with faculty sponsors to organize educational programming such as division-wide assemblies and cultural celebrations. Student Diversity Leaders collaborate with the Upper School Equity & Inclusion Coordinators to implement a series of Student Equity Seminars. In addition to student programming, there is a focus on examining curriculum and providing ongoing professional development opportunities for all faculty members. Parents have opportunities to connect with affinity groups and the Common Ground Parent Committee.
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College and Beyond Working with our team of five college counselors to find the best fit, students go on to attend top colleges and universities across the country and the world. Over the past six years, our graduates have matriculated to: University of Georgia
136
Duke University
24
Georgia Tech
79
University of Alabama
23
University of Virginia
63
University of Notre Dame
22
Auburn University
40
Texas Christian University
21
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
39
University of Southern California
21
University of Chicago
20
Princeton University
19
Yale University
19
Columbia University
18
Cornell University
17
Washington University in St. Louis
36
Emory University
34
University of Texas
34
University of Pennsylvania
31
Washington & Lee University
29
Harvard University
17
Southern Methodist University
28
Rhodes College
17
Vanderbilt University
28
Stanford University
17
Wake Forest University
27
University of Michigan
17
Dartmouth College
25
Howard University
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Class of 2021: Test (# of Takers)
Section
Middle 50% (Median)
ACT (167)
Composite
30 - 35 (33)
SAT (88)
ERW
665-745 (710)
Math
675-785 (750)
Total
1360-1520 (1440)
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For more information, visit westminstr.co/adm_college_us
Leadership Opportunities Christian Life Council Discipline Council Discovery Leaders GERLS
Honor Council Social Change Leadership Council Innovation Fellows
Student Ambassadors Student Government Writing Fellows
AWARE (Alliance for White Anti-Racist Education) Black Boys Affinity Café con Leche (Latinx/ Hispanic Students) Cocoa Conversations (Black Girls)
Jewish Student Group Mooncakes (Asian American/Pacific Islander Students) Neuro-Diverse Affinity (Students with Learning Differences)
SAAG (South Asian Affinity Group) SPECTRUM (Alliance for LGBTQIA+) UNITED (LGBTQIA+ Students)
Affinity Groups Student Clubs
Wildcats participate in a variety of clubs and activities. Below is just a small sample of clubs offered.
Academic Quiz Community Service Team Club Active Minds CryptoClub Admissions Dance Ambassadors Debate Agape/Drew Charter Dr. Vigil’s Knights Outreach ECO Club Anatomy and E-Sports Physiology Club Evolutions Biology Olympiad Females in Finance Bird Conservation French Honor Club Society Book Cats Books for a Purpose German Club Girls Who Code Bookworms Hip Hop Bridge Club Appreciation Chemistry Club Investment Club Chess Club Junior Classical Circle of Women League
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Living Loss Mahjong Club Math Team MD Junior Mock Trial MODA Mountain Biking Club Mu Alpha Theta Music Service Club NOSH Philosophy Club Play Unified Science Bowl Science Olympiad Spectrum Sports Analytics START
Studio W Tennis Service Club That’s All She Wrote The Westminster Dirtcats Ultimate Frisbee UNICEF Club Veritas WCAT Westminster HOSA Westminster Dexterous Hands Serve Wired Cats Young Conservatives Young Democrats
For more information, visit westminstr.co/adm_clubs_us
The Arts CHORAL MUSIC Chorus (9) Chorale (10-12) Ensemble A Cappella groups Solo Vocal Performance COMMUNICATION ARTS/PUBLICATIONS Bi-Line Student Newspaper (Print & Online) Embryo Literary, Visual, and Musical Magazine Evolutions Creative Writing Magazine Lynx Yearbook Veritas Online Science Magazine
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INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC Chamber Orchestra Symphony Orchestra Solo and Chamber Music Jazz Ensemble Spirit Ensembles Symphonic Band Wind Ensemble MEDIA ARTS Filmmaking Music Production Podcasting StudioW WCAT MUSIC THEORY AND COMPOSITION AP Music Theory Composition Arranging
ORATORICAL ARTS Public Speaking Mock Trial Model United Nations Debate THEATRE ARTS Acting Directing Stage Management Design Technical Crew Westminster Players VISUAL ARTS AP Studio Art Ceramics Drawing and Painting Graphic Design Open Studio Photography/Digital Portfolio Sculpture
Athletics 68% of Upper School students participate in athletics 36% of faculty members are coaches 46 Upper School teams; 74 total teams 18 different sports 25 graduates of Westminster’s Class of 2021 signed with college athletic programs 2021 GADA Director’s Cup winner; Westminster has earned that title 19 times since 2000 (not awarded in 2020) 300 state championships 10 state championships in 2020-21 SPORTS OFFERED Baseball Basketball Cheerleading Cross Country* Football* Golf
Gymnastics Lacrosse Rowing Soccer Softball Squash
Swimming & Diving* Tennis Track & Field* Volleyball Wrestling*
*non-cut sports
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For more information, visit westminstr.co/adm_athletics_us
Civic 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. Every single Upper School student is encouraged to explore what it means to be engaged in civic life through opportunities such as building homes with Habitat for Humanity, tutoring students at local schools, and launching their own sustainable social impact initiatives. Immersive programming such as Philanthropy 101 and Civic Engagement Fellows helps Upper School students grow into active citizens who care about their communities and desire philanthropic connections. UPPER SCHOOL COMMUNITY PARTNERS INCLUDE: • Agape Youth & Family Center
• Latin American Association
• American Red Cross
• Odyssey Atlanta
• Atlanta Community Food Bank
• Plaza Fiesta
• Atlanta Habitat for Humanity
• Scott Elementary School
• Campbell-Stone Retirement Home
• Soccer in the Streets
• Drew Charter School
• Truly Living Well
• Garden Hills Elementary
• UNICEF
• Global Village Project
• William Bremen Jewish Home
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For more information, visit westminstr.co/adm_glenn_us
Notes
Please keep these important admissions dates in mind: October 1 - Online application opens January 14 - Online application closes January 28 - Supplementary materials due February 1 - Financial Aid deadline April 2 - Decisions announced online To start the application process for the 2022-23 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