Westminster Christian Academy Academic Report 2014/15

WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OUR ACADEMICS

From 2014/15

At Westminster Christian Academy, high-caliber academics go hand in hand with the cultivation of Christian faith and character.

Too often, Christian schooling is marked by the idea that academic quality and Christian nurture lie at opposite ends of the same spectrum – that a school’s strength rests in either one area or the other.

At Westminster Christian Academy, however, high-caliber academics go hand in hand with the cultivation of Christian faith and character.

Our mission to prepare students to engage the world and change it for Jesus Christ requires us to be excellent in both of these areas. We see our students as future teachers, doctors, pastors, engineers, artists, athletes, writers, missionaries, and other professionals, all of which require quality academic preparation from grade seven through senior year. It is this preparation, excellent instruction in every subject area, which prepares them to understand and engage the world God created.

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AP COURSES Art History / Biology / Calculus (AB) & (BC) / Chemistry / French IV & V / Literature / Music Theory / Physics 1 & 2 / Spanish IV & V / Statistics / United States Government & Politics / United States History

HONORS COURSES Algebra II / American Literature / Biology / Chemistry / Expository Writing / French III / Geometry / Literature of Western Civilization / Pre-Calculus / Physics / Spanish I, II, & III / Western Civilization

462 / 63% ENROLLED IN AP AND/OR HONORS COURSES ACT 32.4 Average of top 25%

99% COLLEGE-BOUND* 97% 4-YEAR COLLEGEBOUND*

*Class of 2015

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SELECTIVE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS Percentage denotes acceptance rate for 2015. Note that some students were accepted to more than one university.

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (13%)

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS - AUSTIN (28%)

Drew Straub, Hannah Geisz, Ciarra Peters

Baxter Estes

CORNELL UNIVERSITY (14%)

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY (31%)

Dongbin Lee

Ethan Finn, Ciarra Peters, Madison Stoecker

JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY (15%)

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN (32%)

Dongbin Lee

Grace Burzinski, Ethan Finn, Eli Parham, Sam Parham,

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS (16%)

GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (33%)

Eli Parham, Sam Parham, Chrissy Talent,

Alex Kessel, Dongbin Lee, Thomas Meyer

Sam Peterman, Ciarra Peters

Madison Stoecker

SWARTHMORE COLLEGE (17%)

CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY SAN LUIS OBISPO (34%)

Juhyae Kim

Bailey Hiatt

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL (18% )

PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY (37%) Hannah Gilmore, Jon Lauer

Trent Briden

WHEATON COLLEGE (65%) BABSON COLLEGE (28%) Madison Stoecker

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Jacob Chimento, Kathryn Hinrichs, Ashley Klein, Madison Massot, Madaline Ross

Eli and Sam have used summers and weekends over the past several years to apply their knowledge of engineering, cultivated at Westminster, to rebuild a ’65 Mustang.

PREPARED FOR THE CHALLENGE Eli and Sam Parham ’15 attend University of Michigan Sam and Eli Parham recently left for the

went to Westminster and it has always been

University of Michigan where they are both

a passion, but at Westminster, teachers like

enrolled in the school’s intensive engineering

Dr. Shaw and Ms. Moore really made a great

program, ranked second in the nation. While

impact on me. Dr. Shaw’s thoughtful comments

the twins had not intended to attend the same

on worldviews behind a physics principle

university and were accepted to a number of

have helped me to think more deeply about

others such as Washington University in St.

science in general. Ms. Moore’s fun projects and

Louis, they were both highly impressed after

class environment have facilitated fun learning

their visit to Michigan’s campus. “When we

experiences.

both got accepted, we were surprised and slightly comforted to know that we’d be going

SAM: Westminster played a significant role

together!” says Sam. Equipped with key skills

in preparing me for college. Although my

and knowledge gained through Westminster’s

parents taught me character and motivation,

intensive engineering program, the twins were

Westminster did a good job of reinforcing

eager to begin the next chapter.

these traits with demanding classes and challenging athletics. In terms of engineering, I

HOW DID WESTMINSTER PREPARE

learned a lot from my involvement in courses

YOU FOR THE ENGINEERING

such as Applied Scientific Research and

PROGRAM AT MICHIGAN?

Principles of Engineering. Also, science classes such as Honors Chemistry and AP Physics

ELI: Westminster’s STEM program

really challenged me and helped me develop

strengthened my knowledge of engineering. I

skills for times when the going gets rough.

knew I was going to be an engineer before I OUR ACADEMICS

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ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES ACADEMIC TEAMS AND COMPETITIONS

American Invitational · FIRST Robotics Team · Mathematics Competition · World Quest · National History Day · Scholar Bowl Team · Senior Physics Competition · We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution

ACADEMIC CLUBS

French · History · Science and Engineering · Spanish

THE GIFTED PROGRAM In 2015-16, Westminster is piloting The Gifted Program, which provides services that meet the diverse social and academic needs of gifted students at Westminster. The Westminster Gifted Program, which will serve students entering 8th grade its pilot year, has been

We the People is a nationally acclaimed civic education program helping students understand the history, philosophies, and evolution of our government. An average of two

specially designed to assist those students who

dozen students participate annually and, following rigorous

demonstrate outstanding levels of aptitude

preparation and state victories, have competed in the national

or competence in one or more domains with

competition in Washington, D.C., for the past 10 years.

accelerated and enriched learning.

Today, more than 100 students participate in our FIRST Robotics program (compared to 25 at the program’s inception in 2012) and work with Boeing engineers each year to design a robot to compete in the annual FIRST Robotics Competition on national and international levels.

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SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS 16,171,484 TOTAL SCHOLARSHIP DOLLARS AWARDED

MORE THAN 70% GRADUATES WHO RECEIVED COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

NOTABLE FULL TUITION ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS »» Juhyae Kim was awarded a full academic scholarship to Swarthmore College through the QuestBridge program. She was among the top three percent of QuestBridge student applicants to receive a full scholarship. This four-year academic scholarship is valued in excess of $250,000.

Cierra Peters was the salutatorian for the Class of 2015. Juhyae Kim was the valedictorian for the Class of 2015.

»» Thomas Meyer received the Presidential Scholarship, awarding him full tuition, to the University of Alabama. »» Ciarra Peters was named a Northeastern The scholarship, awarded to the top 75

60 OF 176 GRADUATES RECEIVED SCHOLARS DIPLOMAS

students in the incoming freshman class of

Westminster awards the Scholars Diploma

5,000, grants full tuition.

to seniors who have achieved a grade point

University Scholar at Northeastern University.

average of 3.5 or above, earned 26 or more »» Jacob Waller received the Presidential Scholarship,

credits during four years of high school, and

a full-ride scholarship, to the University of Tulsa.

taken at least four AP classes.

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NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Westminster has had 16 National Merit Scholars and 31 Commended Scholars since 2010. Jacob Waller, this year’s scholar, falls in the top 1.5% of all seniors in the U.S. who took the test.

2015 – 1 National Merit Scholar / 5 Commended Scholars · 2012 – 3 National Merit Scholars / 5 Commended Scholars 2014 – 2 National Merit Scholars / 3 Commended Scholars · 2011 – 1 National Merit Scholar / 4 Commended Scholars 2013 – 3 National Merit Scholars / 5 Commended Scholars · 2010 – 6 National Merit Scholars / 9 Commended Scholars

Commended scholars for 2015 include

Alexander Hopkins, Zachary Hughes, Erin

Caroline Agan, Alexander Kessel, Ciarra Peters,

Levar, Rebecca Liu, Audrey O’Neill, Sarah

Kevin Stump, and Christine Talent.

Ragsdale, Matthew Rush, Timothy Sell, Sydney Thomas, and Haley Weinberg.

We began this program recognizing the juniors who achieved high scores on the PSAT which

As a result of their outstanding performance,

required an index score of 202 or higher.

these students have met the requirements to

These seniors have been recognized by the

enter the 2016 National Merit Scholarship

National Merit Scholarship Program for

Program. Of the 1.5 million students who took

exceptional academic promise.

the 2014 PSAT, only an approximate 50,000 received recognition for high test scores.

PSAT/NMSQT high performers for 2015 include Joseph Albertson, Elisabeth Harding,

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PRINCETON UNIVERSITY BOOK AWARD

AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY CHEMISTRY EXAM HONORS

The Princeton Club of St. Louis sponsors the

Westminster students were recently

Princeton University Book Award, recognizing

recognized for outstanding placement on

Kaitlyn Mehlhouse, an individual who has

a regional chemistry exam administered

shown a strong personal commitment

by the American Chemical Society at the

to community service while maintaining

University of Missouri-St. Louis. Joey Albertson

excellence in his or her academics. Together,

placed fourth out of 99 of the top advanced

Princeton University believes that these

chemistry students in the St. Louis region. He

characteristics personify the Princeton

and four other top qualifiers will be honored

University motto, “Princeton in the Nation’s

at an upcoming ACS awards banquet on April

Service.”

13. Ethan Davitt was also recognized as the top scorer on the ASC exam for first-year

DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN LANGUAGES

chemistry students.

Distinguished Achievement Award for

DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE

Excellence in Languages from the University of

Rebecca Liu is the 2015 recipient of the

Audrey O’Neill was recently awarded the

Missouri-St. Louis. Audrey was one of 19 from the St. Louis region to receive this prestigious award. Students were honored at a recent awards dinner held on the UMSL campus.

Her participation in language-related research and extracurricular activities, in addition to completion of the National French Contest and an outstanding overall academic GPA of

Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in Science. The award is presented by the University of Missouri-St. Louis to outstanding junior-level science students from area schools. Liu and other young scholars were recognized at an honorary banquet presented by the College of Arts and Sciences at the UMSL campus.

4.0, qualified Audrey for this award.

Rebecca was selected for her distinguished

Town & Country-Manchester Patch, May 2015

academic achievement and outstanding capabilities in science, including her

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICS TEACHERS AWARD The following were recent recipients of the

participation in the STARS program the past two summers, FIRST Robotics, and the St. Louis Region Science Fair.

American Association of Physics Teachers Award: Matthew Moore, Hayden Shively, Alex Kessel, and Ben Linxwiler.

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STEM PROGRAM The STEM program begins in middle school when students create projects based upon science, technology, engineering, and math coursework.

Andrew Shaw, director of the Science

(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)

Department at Westminster, wrote his Ph.D.

programs a top priority due to a critical need

dissertation on the importance of science-

to better prepare students for the rigors of

related experiences at a young age in driving

higher education and the workplace. The need

the pursuit of a career in science. The paper

had become apparent in the huge numbers of

mentioned his own introduction to science

college freshmen who were dropping out of

and technology as a youngster, visiting

science and technology degree programs — in

museums with family and building a robotic

the range of 50 percent.

device with an erector set.

Dr. Shaw says besides stronger coursework in Other career scientists interviewed for the

these disciplines in high school, these students

dissertation mentioned similar life experiences

need “hands-on” experiences.

as important in shaping their aspirations and work ethic. Westminster has made STEM

Roundtable: STEM coursework serves as bigger draw for students, St. Louis Business Journal, January 2015

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20 STUDENTS WITH STEM MAJOR/MINOR DISTINCTION

STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AS RESEARCH SCIENTISTS (STARS)

MAJOR: Grace Burzinski, Cameron Dodge,

In summer 2015, Sabrina Bingham, Sydney

Baxter Estes, Ethan Finn, Steven Howell, Nathan Jackson, Alex Kessel, Dongbin Lee, Ben Linxwiller, Austin Mathai, Tom Meyer, Eli Parham, Sam Parham, Ciarra Peters, Drew Port, Rachel Ritter, Maddie Schuler, Graham Stanfill, Amber Terlouw MINOR: Josh De Groot

STEM AFTER GRADUATION More than 90% of students with a STEM distinction (or those who have taken STEM classes) go on to major in a science, engineering, or medical-related field.

Westminster’s wide range of STEM course offerings have been the deciding factor for many prospective students and have piqued the interests of many current students.

Rigorous exposure to challenging concepts ensures students are well prepared for their courses upon entering college and has given many an advantage over their college peers.

Thomas, and Megan Wibbenmeyer participated in the STARS program. STARS is a highly competitive six-week summer program in which students work with a mentor/scientist at a local university. Sabrina, Sydney, and Megan will generate research in their assigned fields, create a scholarly paper, and enjoy science seminars and collaborative activities along with a laboratory experience.

Sabrina will study with Dr. Blythe Janowiak, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Saint Louis University, where she will compare gene expression patterns between species of Group B Streptococcus (GBS), the causative agent of neonatal meningitis.

Sydney and Megan will be working with Dr. Michael Anch, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, at Saint Louis University. Their work will focus on the basic brain mechanisms of the etiology of Parkinson’s Disease (PD).

Rebecca Liu will be returning to STARS for the second year. She will be working with Dr. Eissenber at the Doisy Research Center at St. Louis University School of Medicine, where she will be involved in quantitative evaluations of three lysosomal enzymes in three genotypes at two developmental stages and across at least three pH conditions.

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ACHIEVERS IN THE ARTS A number of our creative and performing arts students are using their gifts in the studio and on stage after graduation.

APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY - GRAPHIC DESIGN Caroline Agan ’15 MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC - VOCAL MUSIC Nicole Chung ’15 UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI - GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHY Anna Evans ’15 WEBSTER CONSERVATORY - THEATRE Harrison Farmer ’15 MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY - FINE ARTS Hannah Geisz ‘15 MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY - FINE ARTS Mary Heyl ’15 MISSOURI BAPTIST UNIVERSITY - MUSIC EDUCATION Kathryn Hinrichs ’15 NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY - THEATRE Drew Straub ’15

Seven Westminster students were chosen to participate in the 2015 season of the Muny including Drew Straub, Klarissa Sheffield, Harrison Farmer, Chris Lee, Mark Geisz, Alison Broadhurst, and Hannah Geisz.

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SMART SPORTS At the conclusion of the fall, winter, and spring seasons of 2014/15, the average individual athlete GPA fell between 3.4 and 3.5.

3.48

3.21 3.30

3.41

3.66 3.58

VARSITY GIRLS GOLF

VARSITY BOYS GOLF

3.60

VARSITY GIRLS BASKETBALL

JV GIRLS BASKETBALL

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

JV BOYS GOLF

3.44 3.25 3.33

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

HOCKEY

VARSITY FOOTBALL

JV FOOTBALL

3.65

VARSITY SOFTBALL

3.35 3.27 3.40

VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL

JV BOYS BASKETBALL

FRESHMEN BOYS BASKETBALL

3.43

3.53

3.68 3.59

WRESTLING

VARSITY DANCE

VARSITY GIRLS SOCCER

3.35

3.60

3.47

3.58

3.16

JV BOYS LACROSSE

GIRLS TRACK

3.33 3.62

VARSITY BOYS TENNIS

JV BOYS TENNIS

3.22 3.05 3.59

VARSITY BASEBALL

JV BASEBALL

FRESHMEN BASEBALL

JV GIRLS SOCCER

3.69 3.37 3.41

BOYS TRACK

VARSITY GIRLS TENNIS

3.68

JV GIRLS TENNIS

VARSITY BOYS SOCCER

JV BOYS SOCCER

3.60 3.09

VARSITY BOYS VOLLEYBALL

3.49

JV FIELD HOCKEY

JV BOYS VOLLEYBALL

BOYS SWIM

GIRLS SWIM

3.53 3.63 3.57

VARSITY GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

JV GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

FRESHMAN GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

3.59 3.70

VARSITY CHEER

JV CHEER