Message from the Head of School

50 | WESTMINSTER MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

m “At Westminster, we aspire to an extraordinarily ambitious commitment to secondary education, a commitment to nurture the participation of our diverse school community across our entire program. Westminster students are inspired by opportunities to make a difference in all their endeavors.”

elaine white

head of school

A Place To Be Known

Founded in 1888, Westminster School has a long history as one of America’s finest college preparatory schools. This reputation rests on a foundation of excellence, beginning with our academic program, including offerings in the arts, and extending to our robust athletics program, as well as our many community service and extracurricular offerings.

As Westminster’s ninth head of school, I bring with me a complete commitment to the boarding school experience. In my previous role as assistant head of school at The Governor’s Academy, I was a teacher, coach, advisor and dorm parent. I also served in a variety of leadership positions including chair of the English department, academic dean and interim director of advancement. Most importantly, though, I was present in the lives of students, and it is that shared community that draws me to Westminster.

This school encourages students to flourish — they are known here and they have adults and peers in their lives every day who are cheering them on, pushing, supporting, and encouraging them to engage in a myriad of opportunities on campus and beyond. We greet one another on the pathways, we hold doors, and we practice being our most generous selves every day.

This past spring my husband was enjoying his first visit to campus, and, given the nature of the pandemic at that time, we were all masked, and yet every student looked us in the eyes, smiled, and said hello. My husband was shocked. For the most part, students did not know who we were behind our masks, but the ethos of the Westminster community — where kindness and grace meet new and uncertain — embraced us.

The shared dedication to the people who comprise our school community defines us. We are a sensitive, caring and nurturing community. We encourage young people to take risks and, in the process, to grow. At Westminster, we aspire to an extraordinarily ambitious commitment to education. I can’t think of a better setting for a student to be known, supported, and celebrated as they practice living a meaningful and rewarding life, and, in the process, become their best selves.

We hope you will consider a visit to our campus so that we can greet you in person and share with you more about Westminster School.

1888

Westminster School was founded in 1888 and is the sixth oldest independent school in Connecticut.

400

Westminster has approximately 400 students: 50 percent boys, 50 percent girls; 75 percent boarding students, 25 percent day students.

200

Our 200-acre campus sits atop Williams Hill in Simsbury, 12 miles from Hartford, 110 from Boston and 128 from New York City.

WESTMINSTER BY THE NUMBERS*

14

We have 14 interscholastic sports. Our expansive playing fields and health and fitness facilities offer athletes of all levels space to train, compete and perform.

23

Our curriculum includes 23 Advanced Placement® offerings.

25/20

Westminster attracts students from approximately 25 states across the United States and 20 countries around the world.

5:1

Our student-to-faculty ratio is 5:1. As teachers, coaches, mentors and friends, our 95 faculty members know students well.

20%

Twenty percent of our students are U.S. students of color. We value diversity and all that we can learn from each other.

90%

Approximately 90 percent of recent graduates gained admission to colleges and universities ranked by Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges as “Most or Highly Competitive.”

VISITING CAMPUS

Westminster School is at its core a community, and best highlighted through personal interactions. This being the case, we very much hope you will join us for a student-guided tour and interview. For information about scheduling a tour and interview, please visit www.westminster-school.org/admissions/ visit-westminster. On our website, you will also find details regarding upcoming admissions events and information about the school and admission process. Applications for admission are due Jan. 15 of the year of desired enrollment. Please do not hesitate to contact the Admissions Office at (860) 408-3060 or admit@ westminster-school.org, if you have questions or we can be of assistance as you explore your options for continuing your education.

GETTING HERE

By Car: Westminster is accessible from major highways including I-95, I-91, I-90 and I-84, and is located on Route 10/202 at 995 Hopmeadow Street in the center of Simsbury, Connecticut.

By Bus And Train: Service by bus (Greyhound and Peter Pan) and train (Amtrak and MetroNorth/CTRail) is through Union Station in Hartford, Connecticut. Campus is a 20-minute cab ride from the station. Car rental at the station is available through Hertz.

By Plane: Bradley International Airport is a 20-minute drive from campus, with service by most major airlines. LaGuardia and JFK airports in New York and Logan airport in Boston are within a two-hour drive from campus.

Westminster does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Westminster admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. This viewbook was written by former English teacher Michael Cervas. Michael recently retired after a 30-year career at Westminster. Primary photography is by alumnus Chip Riegel ’90, Seshu Badrinath, Robert Benson, Richard Bergen, David Newman and Yoon Byun. *As of July, 2021

our mission Westminster School inspires young people of promise to cultivate a passion for learning, to explore and develop their talents in a balanced program, to reach well beyond the ordinary, to live with character and intelligence and to commit to a life of service beyond self.

westminster-school.org admit@westminster-school.org

2021-2022