Middle School Tour Brochure 2020-21 | Westminster

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 Danette Morton Head of Middle School

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

Vielka Reina & Walter DuPriest Deans of Students, MS

Additional members of the Middle School Leadership Team include the Counselors, Learning Strategists, Equity and Inclusion Coordinators, and our six Grade Chairs.

By the Numbers faculty members

80%

125

of our faculty hold graduate degrees

12% 2

new MS students from 51 different feeder schools

of students receiving financial aid

1896 students

300+ 87

Middle School faculty members

cities in the greater Atlanta area

17

average number of years in the teaching profession

37%

266

students of color

new students from 43 distinct zip codes

1306 families

39

79

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

Learning Beyond the Classroom The Middle School years are a dynamic time of growth across every dimension. It is our hope that through genuine experiences outside the traditional classroom, 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.

Through active engagement and learning in global programs, Wildcats are challenged to examine their assumptions about themselves and others and to develop both a spirit of cooperation and the cross-cultural skills needed to find innovative solutions to persistent problems facing our global community.

SITES OF GLOBAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE: • • • •

Colorado Canada China Ecuador

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• • • •

France India Italy Spain

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

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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

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• Atlanta Habitat for Humanity • MUST Ministries

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 APA (Asian/Pacific American) BSA (Black Student Affinity) Café con Leche (Hispanic/Latino) EAAG (East Asian Affinity Group) Hindu Affinity Group Jewish Affinity Group

Muslim Affinity Group Prism (LGBTQ) Samosas (South/Central Asian) SEED (Students Exploring Equity Through Dialogue)

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 34% of faculty members are also coaches 28 Middle School teams; 72 total teams 15 different sports 24 graduates of Westminster’s Class of 2020 signed with college athletic programs 2019 GADA Director’s Cup winner; Westminster has earned that title 18 times since 2000 (not awarded in 2020) 290 state championships 4 state championships in 2019-20 (fall and winter only)

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

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.

STUDENT INITIATIVES • • • •

Affinity groups and clubs Assemblies featuring outside speakers on diversity, equity, and inclusion topics Student council and exchange programs Featured artist and author visits

PARENT OPPORTUNITIES • Community cultural celebrations • Affinity groups and diversity representatives in parent groups • Common Ground Parent Committee: Connecting Parents and Creating Community FACULTY PROGRAMMING • • • • • • • •

Anti-racist curricula Affinity and support groups Lunch and Learn educational series Arts and culture excursions New teacher workshops and professional development Visits and assessments by nationally recognized consultants Annual minority teacher recruitment career fair A dedicated team of faculty members to lead inclusion programs

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Notes

Please keep these important admissions dates in mind: October 1 - Online application opens January 15 - Online application closes January 29 - Supplementary materials due February 1 - Financial Aid deadline April 3 - Decisions announced online To start the application process for the 2021-22 school year, visit: westminster.net/apply.

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WESTMINSTER Love. Challenge. Lead. Change.

WESTMINSTER.NET | 404-609-6202 1424 WEST PACES FERRY ROAD, NW | ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30327