Windward Admissions Brochure 2011-12

W I N D W A R D S C H O O L

responsible caring we l l i n fo r m e d ethical prepared A dynamic education. A nur turing community.

W I N D W A R D

S C H O O L

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WINDWARD S C H O O L

Windward School is dedicated to producing well足balanced, creative individuals prepared to take on the ever足changing challenges of our world. Our students explore their multiple interests in a dynamic and academically rigorous environment guided by accessible teachers and supportive classmates.

At Windward, human development and dignity are paramount. Our students leave campus as innovative thinkers and leaders ready for success in college, their professions and their personal lives. They become responsible, ethical and caring individuals who embrace the complexity and diversity of our world. Windward students help make our school an open, dynamic community where a passion for learning and discovery thrives.

Tom Gilder, Head of School

Windward is a dynamic college preparatory school that challenges each student to achieve excellence in a nurturing, inclusive community. Windward teachers, parents, and administrators work together to inspire our students to be responsible, caring, well足informed, ethical, prepared, and well足balanced young adults.

Mission Statement

What Makes Windward Special...

The close bond between students and teachers Students and teachers form lasting bonds that help further Windward’s unique educational experience.

These strong relationships create an environment that allows students and teachers to interact in a way that produces a positive and beneficial learning experience.

The talented and dedicated faculty Windward teachers are experts in their fields.

More importantly, they are excited to teach and are driven to continuously hone their skills. Their knowledge, care, and continued interest in learning is evident in their instruction.

The close­knit community Community and collaboration are at the core of Windward’s philosophy and reflected everyday in the atmosphere on campus. Students are motivated to excel and to explore new learning opportunities. Upper school students, trained as peer counselors, provide a sounding board for their classmates.

Windward’s nine­acre campus is an idyllic setting for students to comfortably work and socialize.

“Windward was the foundation for my entire life and career. It’s very rare that you can say you’re still friends with your teachers. They helped me develop the confidence to do well at Berkeley and at Harvard.”

—Diana Currie, Class of 1980

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M a k e s

Active Learning = Engaged Minds Windward School is at the forefront of educational models and practices that excite students about learning. Active learning is incorporated throughout Windward’s curricula. This approach to learning integrates hands­on work with collaborative discussions and problem­solving.

Active learning is a central component to science classes at Windward. Our groundbreaking relationships with leading universities around the country, including MIT, helped guide the design of our labs and classrooms, science curriculum, and our approach to teaching. For example, Middle School students spend 75% of their time in science class actively engaged in hands­on lab work.

They are learning by doing—making discoveries, correcting mistakes and devising solutions. Each year, eleventh­grade biology students embark on an exploratory journey to Guatemala to study the country’s tropical forests and their wildlife.

Active learning is also found in our eighth­grade “Minimester”, a three­day, hands­on program where students partake in several different cross­disciplinary activities. They explore an area of interest outside of traditional academics, such as Web design, animation and scientific invention.

The intent is to give students an opportunity to discover what interests them and realize how their academic work applies to real­world projects.

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S p e c i a l . . .

Two current campus-wide initiatives are the Academic Integrity task force and the Writing and Rhetoric Across the Curriculum Group. Both involve faculty and students coming together to investigate current research, create partnerships with university collaborators, and implement the best educational practices for Windward. The focus of the Academic Integrity task force is the twin pillars of good scholarship and strong ethical values. The group examines new ways to integrate three of Windward’s core beliefs, which are “to be responsible, caring, and ethical,” throughout the daily life of the school. In one example from this past year, student leaders on the task force facilitated discussions with the student body and faculty in order to create a common vocabulary of values and a clear set of expectations. The Writing and Rhetoric Across the Curriculum Group is in the process of developing a cross-disciplinary vision of writing, oral rhetoric, and visual rhetoric at Windward. This will help students become better writers and scholars.

“I really liked the Project Innovation minimester. I loved creating a vision of my future technology and researching ways it could work. I worked on an H2O separator, which could, theoretically, give divers unlimited time underwater. The best part was the excitement and rush of the whole project.

The feeling that you’re inventing a technology that could potentially change the future is outstanding and the best part of the class.”

—Austin, Class of 2014

S t u d e n t

L i f e

Middle School Windward believes that middle school is a formative time for exploration, discovery, and growth. It begins early in the school year, with the Fall seventh­grade retreat at Bruin Woods in Lake Arrowhead, where students develop new friendships while enjoying activities and sports. It continues on campus, as faculty help students develop their academic skills as well as their intellectual independence and curiosity. Weekly advisory meetings and counseling programs bolster students’ moral, social, and emotional growth. Numerous extracurricular programs allow students to explore sports, the arts, debate, robotics, forensic science, and more. Middle school sports practices and physical education are held during the last period of the school day so students can participate in many activities.

Upper School Windward’s Upper School program prepares students for college through a carefully designed, rigorous curriculum with numerous challenges and opportunities. The thorough and comprehensive academic program establishes a solid foundation for students, including honors and advanced placement classes. Our faculty encourages students to reach their full potential in this vibrant environment. Class retreats and trips, as well as a new student orientation with peer­mentors, allow students to connect and build lasting relationships. Student involvement in activities outside the traditional classroom helps them mature into strong, well­rounded individuals.

Our college counseling team works closely with our students, assisting them with the college selection and application process and hosting information sessions with college representatives. The team strives to match each student with the most appropriate school where they will continue to excel.

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Traditions Advisory – The advisor/advisee system fosters collaboration between students, faculty and the administration to help students’ self­discovery and growth.

Student Leadership – Student leaders play an active role to foster school spirit at Windward. They help organize Spirit Week, pep rallies and themed days. One favorite is Pancake Breakfast: students and teachers arrive in their pajamas and enjoy a pancake breakfast cooked by the teachers!

Prefects – Prefects help to set the tone of the school among the student body. Each year, 20 students are selected as Prefects based on their community respect, personal integrity and ability to positively impact student life at Windward. As Prefects, they work closely with the faculty and administration, organize school activities, and lead by example.

Senior Initiative – Students spend part of their school day working in supervised internships or independent study to gain real­world experience. Senior Initiative provides meaningful opportunities for students to explore their interests before beginning college. In recent years, students interned with the L.A. Mayor’s office, the Los Angeles Clippers, Cedars Sinai, and Teen Vogue magazine.

Retreats & Trips – Class Retreats: Each class has a retreat that strengthens the Windward community by building friendships among students and allowing them to get to know the faculty. European Trip: In June, sophomores and juniors visit France and Spain to experience the culture and enhance their language skills.

College Trips: Windward’s college counselors organize and lead two trips for the junior class to visit colleges and universities on the East Coast and in California. Senior Trip: This is the culminating event for the graduating class. It gives them the chance to spend time together and further cement lasting friendships.

Coffee House – Students showcase their musical and performance talents at the annual Coffee House before a thrilled audience of classmates, teachers and parents.

Fallcoming – This annual celebration is a combination of a Fall Welcome and Homecoming. Windward alumni, faculty, students and their families come together on campus to enjoy activities, a picnic lunch and sporting events.

Founder’s Day – We celebrate the spirit of the school’s founder, Shirley Windward, with a day­long display of our students’ musical, theatrical, and artistic talents. It’s a fun­filled and eagerly anticipated day.

Visual and Performing Arts Windward’s Arts program embodies the school’s spirit to produce well-balanced, creative individuals. Art department faculty encourage students to explore undiscovered talents and to realize their passions. The program often reaches beyond the boundaries of the classroom. Students regularly visit museums, attend concerts and plays, and participate in master classes taught by professional working artists and performers. Students work in our state-of-the-art film and video studio to create short films and documentaries that premiere at festivals throughout Southern California. They are excited to experiment with the greenscreen technology, which teachers use for projects and students use in our broadcast journalism activities.

Arts education continues after hours as students create, rehearse and prepare for the public exhibitions and performances that are a cornerstone of our dynamic program. Student artwork is regularly displayed in the Windward Art Gallery and throughout campus. The theater department produces a Middle School musical and an Upper School play and musical as well as several smaller class productions. The music program emphasizes participation in a variety of performing ensembles.

Animation

Ceramics

Contemporary Dance Including Modern Ballet and Jazz

Drawing

Graphic Design

Painting

Photography

Publications

Sculpture

Sound

Technical Theater

Theater

Video

Vocal and Instrumental Music

Athletics

“There’s a balance between academics, athletics and arts.

Students are encouraged to participate in both art and athletic opportunities.

You don’t have to choose between the two.” ­ John, Class of 2010

Fall Cross Country, Football, Girls Tennis and Volleyball

Winter Basketball and Soccer

Spring Baseball, Golf, Softball, Boys Tennis and Volleyball

Year­round Equestrian

Windward’s athletic program gives students of all levels and abilities the chance to participate in sports and gain valuable experience while they develop their skills. Former Olympians and professional athletes provide elite levels of instruction that hone skills, sportsmanship and values. Windward teams have won numerous league victories and championships, including California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and League Titles in volleyball, soccer, basketball, tennis and football.

In 2011, the Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball teams won the California State Championship in Sacramento.

Our scholar­athletes are prepared to continue playing the sport of their choice in college: nearly 20 % of seniors in 2011 are playing college sports.

“The coaches really are experts. They were players themselves, and they emphasize sportsmanship and success.” ­ Jennifer, Class of 2011

The opportunity to get involved Every student at Windward can find a niche and a passion. From broadcast journalism and student leadership council to music and robotics, students have an opportunity to explore various options and become active members of the community.

Activities offered include:

Chorus

Junior Statesmen of America

Club Mud/Ceramics

Literary Magazine

ComedySportz (improv)

Middle School LegoLeague

Cooking

Music Composition and Theory

Dance Company

Peer Counselors

Debate

Pilates

Ethics in Action

Robotics

Fashion Design

Screenwriting

Film Review and Analysis

TEDx (ideas worth spreading)

Forensic Science (CSI Windward)

Yearbook

“I chose Windward because it has a nurturing environment, a beautiful campus and great academics and teachers. Windward has been a really important part of my life; I honestly couldn’t imagine myself at any other school. I don’t think any other school in the city has the balance that Windward has found. It really is a special place to grow up.”

- Abbey, Class of 2011

Family Involvement Windward families play an integral role in giving of their time and resources to help enhance the educational experience. Parents and grandparents are actively involved in many aspects of school life. Key to parent involvement is the Parent Guild, which meets monthly to organize campus events, such as Fallcoming and the Spring Event.

Parents also work at the student store and act as team “moms” or “dads” for various sports.

Windward hosts parent education programs that feature guest speakers and counselors addressing issues specific to each grade level. Parents also have the opportunity to join together for various grade­level meetings and social events.

Inclusive Community Windward’s commitment to diversity is an integral part of its educational fabric, inextricably linked to the mission of the school. Windward School is determined to create a welcoming community that embraces diversity and encourages students to develop a deep understanding and appreciation of a diverse world in which they live. Students work together and play an active role in encouraging every member of the community to participate in respectful and inclusive social interaction. Highlights of the diversity program include Fall Welcome, Winter Bowl, student affinity group meetings, and a series of guest artists and speakers. Each year, over two million dollars in financial aid is awarded to ensure economic diversity at Windward.

Governance and Accreditation Windward School is a not­for­profit institution, governed by a self­ perpetuating board of trustees. Windward is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. It holds membership in the National Association of Independent Schools, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, the National Association of College Admission Counselors, College Board, A Better Chance, Inc., and the Independent School Alliance for Minority Affairs.

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WINDWARD S C H O O L

11350 Palms Boulevard Los Angeles, California 90066 310.391.7127 www.windwardschool.org