Those who love challenge grow up to lead change.
Upper School WESTMINSTER
— Dr. Chanley Small, 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.
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.
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By the Numbers 2 219 new students 40%136 47 8213% 17 80% Upper 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 1363 families Leadership Keith Evans President Jim Justice Dean of Academics and Curriculum Marjorie Mitchell Director of Enrollment Management Dr. Chanley Small Head of Upper School Tiffany Boozer Dean of Policy and Programs, US Juliet Allan Dean of Academics, US Kamille Harless 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. new Upper School students 25 students of color300+ faculty members Visit westminster.net/admissions for more information.
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
• Assembly programming
• Wellness and leadership program
• 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
34 courses, including AP Studio Art, Art History, and Music Theory
Bible and Religion
Old and New Testament Bible and Social Ethics
Computer Science
5 courses, including 2 APs English
7 courses, including AP Literature and AP Language for all students
History
10 courses, including AP European and US History
Modern and Classical Languages
35 courses, including 5 APs and cultural study options
Mathematics
14 courses, including 3 APs and Multivariable Calculus
Physical and Life Sciences
17 courses, including 5 APs, Engineering, and Neuropsychology
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 40 courses offered on and off campus. For a full list of courses, visit westminster.net/catalysts/janterm.
Visit westminster.net/academics
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for more information.
Upper School Weekly Schedule
Prep Time 7:45-8:30
Period 1 8:30-9:35
PLC 7:45-8:30
Period 5 8:30-9:35
Faculty & Dept. Meetings 8:00-9:00
Period 2 9:00-10:05
PLC 7:45-8:30
Period 6 8:30-9:35
Prep Time 7:45-8:30
Period 3 8:30-9:35
Period 2 9:45-10:50
Period 6 9:45-10:50
Period 3 10:15-11:20
Period 7 9:45-10:50
Period 4 9:45-10:50
Period 3 and Lunch (11:00-1:05)
9th: 11:40-12:15
10th: 11:55-12:30
11th: 12:05-12:40 12th: 12:30-1:05
Office Hours 1:10-1:50
Period 7 and Lunch (11:00-1:05)
9th: 11:40-12:15
10th: 11:55-12:30
11th: 12:05-12:40
12th: 12:30-1:05
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 1 and Lunch (11:00-1:05)
9th: 11:40-12:15 10th: 11:55-12:30 11th: 12:05-12:40 12th: 12:30-1:05
Period 5 and Lunch (11:05-1:00)
9th: 11:40-12:15
10th: 11:55-12:30 11th: 12:05-12:40 12th: 12:25-1:00
Period 4 1:55-3:00
Office Hours 3:00-3:30
Advisement/ Class Meetings 1:10-1:50
Period 1 1:55-3:00
Office Hours 3:00-3:30
Office Hours 2:50-3:30
(9) Wellness and Leadership (10/12) Leader ship/Clubs 1:10-1:50
Period 2 1:55-3:00
Office Hours 3:00-3:30
Assembly/ Affinity Groups 1:00-1:45
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. Period 5 1:45-2:50
Period 6 1:45-2:45
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday A Day B Day C Day D Day E Day
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Learning Beyond the Classroom
All Upper School Global experiences have an integrated, purposeful curriculum that allows students to explore their location from the perspective of a learner not a knower, from an engaged member of a community versus a visitor. Through intentional transformative experiences, students who participate in global programs return to Westminster as stronger leaders of conscience with larger hearts, sharper vision and clearer voices to shape their world.
GLOBAL PROGRAMS
• Antigua, Guatemala: Learn, Build, Connect
• Creating Community: Art & Public Spaces
• Czechia & Poland: Voices of Resilience
• Experiment in International Living
• Hawaii: Marine Biology
• Israel: Holy Land Documentaries
• Italy: Chorale Ensemble
• Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki
• Mar Del Plata, Argentina Exchange
• Nyeri, Kenya Exchange
• Oxbow School (arts semester in Napa, California)
• Rome, Italy: Roma Pictura
• School Year Abroad
• Spain: Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage
• Strasbourg, France Exchange
• United Kingdom: Monks and Monarchs
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.
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 five years, our graduates have matriculated to a variety of schools including:
University of Georgia 81
Georgia Tech 54
University of Virginia 48
Auburn University 30
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 28
University of Pennsylvania 24
Texas Christian University 22
University of Texas 22
Washington & Lee University 21
Wake Forest University 20
Washington University in St. Louis 20
Dartmouth College 18
Duke University 18
Emory University 18
Southern Methodist University 18
Class of 2022
Vanderbilt University 18
University of Notre Dame 19
Yale University 17
Georgetown University 16
Stanford University 16
University of Michigan 16
University of Alabama 15
University of Chicago 14
University of Southern California 14 Boston University 13
Princeton University 13
Tulane University 13
University of Miami 13
Brown University 12
Rhodes College 12
westminster.net/catalysts/college-counseling
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Test (# of Takers) Section Middle 50% (Median) ACT (169) Composite 30 - 35 (33)
SAT (95) ERW 650-750 (710) Math 670-780 (750) Total 1320-1530 (1460) Visit
for more information.
Leadership Opportunities Christian Life Council Discipline Council Discovery Leaders GERLS Honor Council Social Change Leadership Council Innovation Fellows Student Ambassadors Student Government Writing Fellows 7 Affinity Groups Student Clubs AWARE (Alliance for White Anti-Racist Education) The Distinguished HueMans (Black Boys) 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) UNITED (LGBTQIA+ Students) Academic Quiz Team Active Minds Admissions Ambassadors Agape/Drew Charter Outreach Anatomy and Physiology Club Biology Olympiad Bird Conservation Club Book Cats Books for a Purpose Bookworms Bridge Club Chemistry Club Chess Club Circle of Women Community Service Club CryptoClub Dance Debate Dr. Vigil’s Knights ECO Club E-Sports Evolutions Females in Finance French Honor Society German Club Girls Who Code Hip Hop Appreciation Investment Club Junior Classical League 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 Wildcats participate in a variety of clubs and activities. Below is just a small sample of clubs offered.
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
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
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Athletics
82% of Upper School students participate in athletics
38% of faculty members are coaches
46 Upper School teams; 74 total teams
18 different sports
31 graduates of Westminster’s Class of 2022 signed with college athletic programs
2022 GADA Director’s Cup winner; Westminster has earned that title 20 times since 2000 (not awarded in 2020)
310 state championships
10 state championships in 2021-22
2021-22 MaxPreps Cup winner for #1 high school athletics program in the nation
SPORTS OFFERED Baseball Basketball
Cheerleading
Cross Country*
Football*
Golf
*non-cut sports
Gymnastics Lacrosse Rowing Soccer Softball Squash
Swimming & Diving* Tennis Track & Field* Volleyball Wrestling*
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Visit westminster.net/athletics for more information.
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
INCLUDE:
SCHOOL COMMUNITY PARTNERS
10 • Agape Youth & Family Center • American Red Cross • Atlanta Community Food Bank • Atlanta Habitat for Humanity • Campbell-Stone Retirement Home • Drew Charter School • Garden Hills Elementary • Global Village Project • Latin American Association • Odyssey Atlanta • Plaza Fiesta • Scott Elementary School • Soccer in the Streets • Truly Living Well • UNICEF • William Bremen Jewish Home
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
WESTMINSTER