Those who love challenge grow up to lead change.
Upper School WESTMINSTER
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, Head of Upper School
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.
OUR MISSION
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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
Wendy Jenkins Sheats Senior Director of Admissions
Matt Hixenbaugh Director of Upper School 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
325 faculty members
43% 129
average number of years in the teaching profession
of our faculty hold graduate degrees
1882 students
1355 families
49 82 13% 18 81%
of students receiving financial aid
244 new students
27 students of color
new Upper School students
Upper School faculty members cities in the greater Atlanta area different zip codes schoolwide
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Leadership
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, Fellow Leadership Programs, 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.
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Visit westminster.net/academics for more information.
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 9:00-10:05 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 10:15-11:20 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 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 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 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 Assembly/ Affinity Groups 1:00-1:45 Office Hours 1:10-1:50 Advisement/ Class Meetings 1:10-1:50 (9) Wellness and Leadership (10/12) Leadership/Clubs 1:10-1:50 Period 6 1:45-2:45 Period 4 1:55-3:00 Period 1 1:55-3:00 Period 2 1:55-3:00 Office Hours 2:50-3:30 Office Hours 3:00-3:30 Office Hours 3:00-3:30 Office Hours 3:00-3:30 4
Period 5 1:45-2:50
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At Westminster, you will find many forms of diversity among our students, families, faculty, and staff. Most importantly, you will find a community grounded in learning from one another, in love and in service. Our commitment to Christian values leads us to welcome all in an inclusive, supportive community. 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 divisionwide 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.
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
• Belize: Marine Biology
• Creating Community: Art & Public Spaces
• Czechia & Poland: Voices of Resilience
• Germany: Chorale Ensemble
• Israel: Holy Land Documentaries
• 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
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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:
Class of
2023
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University of Georgia 83 Georgia Tech 62 University of Virginia 49 Auburn University 32 Texas Christian University 27 University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 26 Washington & Lee University 22 Wake Forest University 21 Washington University in St. Louis 19 University of Notre Dame 19 Emory University 18 Georgetown University 18 University of Pennsylvania 18
Test (# of Takers) Section Middle 50% (Median) ACT (142) Composite 29 - 34 (32) Stanford University 18 University of Texas 18 Duke University 17 University of Michigan 17 Southern Methodist University 17 Dartmouth College 16 Vanderbilt University 16 University of Miami 15 Yale University 15 University of Chicago 14 Princeton University 13 New York University 13 Brown University 12 SAT (127) ERW 660-740 (720) Math 640-760 (710) Total 1310-1500 (1430) Visit westminster.net/catalysts/college-counseling for more information.
Leadership Opportunities
Christian Life Council
Discipline Council
Discovery Leaders
GERLS
Honor Council
Social Change
Leadership Council
Innovation Fellows
Affinity Groups
AWARE (Alliance for White Anti-Racist Education)
Café con Leche (Latinx/ Hispanic Students)
Cocoa Conversations (Black Girls)
The Distinguished Hue-Mans (Black Boys)
Jewish Student Group
Mooncakes (Asian American/Pacific Islander Students)
Student Clubs
Student Ambassadors
Student Government
Writing Fellows
Neuro-Diverse Affinity (Students with Learning Differences)
SAAG (South Asian Affinity Group)
UNITED (LGBTQIA+ Students)
Wildcats participate in a variety of clubs and activities. Below is just a small sample of clubs offered.
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
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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
45 Upper School teams; 73 total teams
18 different sports
26 graduates of Westminster’s Class of 2023 signed with college athletic programs
2023 GADA Director’s Cup winner; Westminster has earned that title 22 times since 2000 and for 13 consecutive years (not awarded in 2020)
316 state championships
6 state championships in 2022-23
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 SCHOOL COMMUNITY PARTNERS INCLUDE:
• 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
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Empowering Every Student’s Journey
At Westminster, we’re dedicated to providing an enriching, accessible education. With over 50 years of legacy, our Financial Assistance program embodies our commitment to every bright, motivated student’s success. Annually, we allocate over $6 million in aid, ensuring access to those who qualify.
Operating independently from admissions, our financial aid team offers grants to all students who qualify for admission and whose parents qualify for tuition assistance based on family financial need. Our financial aid team is available to answer questions and works hard to ensure transparency in our process.
Join our inclusive community, where each student’s potential is celebrated. Discover possibilities at Westminster, where we shape brighter futures.
Please keep these important admissions dates in mind:
October 1 | Online application opens
January 12 | Application deadline
January 12 | Financial Assistance Application deadline
January 26 | Supplemental application materials due March 30 | Decisions announced online
To start the application process for the 2024-25 school year, visit: westminster.net/apply.
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Love. Challenge. Lead. Change. WESTMINSTER WESTMINSTER.NET | 404-609-6202 1424 WEST PACES FERRY ROAD NW | ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30327
