Upper School Admission Tour Brochure 2021-22

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

7

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.

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WESTMINSTER

Love. Challenge. Lead. Change.

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