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WINDWARD S C H O O L
11350 Palms Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90066 310-391-7127 310-398-0869 fax www.windwardschool.org CEEB Code 053323
Profile 2011-2012
Head of School: Upper School Director: Associate Director of Upper School: Co-Directors of College Counseling:
Thomas W. Gilder Peggy Procter Kevin Newman Molly Branch mbranch@windwardschool.org Jill Gully jgully@windwardschool.org
A DYNAMIC EDUCATION. A NURTURING COMMUNITY Windward was founded by educator Shirley Windward in 1971 as a coeducational, non-profit, independent college preparatory day school enrolling students in grades 7 through 12. Its mission statement calls on teachers, parents and administrators to work together to encourage each student to be responsible, caring, well informed, ethical and prepared. Located in West Los Angeles, Windward draws its student body from the diverse population of Los Angeles. Admissions is highly selective, with the school attracting motivated and talented students in academics, the performing and visual arts and athletics. Windward is accredited by WASC, the Western Association for Schools and Colleges, and is a member of the Cum Laude Society, the National Association of Independent Schools, the College Board, the National Association for College Admission Counseling and the Western Association for College Admission Counseling.
ENROLLMENT In the 2011-2012 academic year, the total enrollment in grades 7 through 12 is 540 students, with 369 in the Upper School and 89 students in the senior class. The student body is racially and ethnically diverse. Twenty-eight percent are students of color. Windward School has committed more than $2 million to financial aid in an effort to ensure a socioeconomic diversity among its students. Of the 60 full-time faculty members, seventy-three percent hold a master’s degree; twenty-two percent hold doctoral degrees.
COURSE LOAD Windward operates on a trimester system in which courses are year-long. The exceptions to this are senior semester-length elective courses. The final grade is cumulative and includes the mid-year and final examinations. Ninth and tenth grade students carry seven courses (including physical education) each trimester. Eleventh and twelfth grade students must carry at least five, but are encouraged to carry six courses. In addition, all Windward students are required to fulfill a 40-hour commitment of community service during their junior and senior years.
CURRICULUM Windward provides superior programs in English, mathematics, world language, history, science, and the visual and performing arts. The curriculum offers students a choice of more than 100 different courses, including 21 honors and 17 AP classes available to qualified students. While Windward does not limit the number of AP courses a student may take each year, the average Windward senior is enrolled in two AP courses. Truly exceptional students will take two three or more their senior year.
HONORS RESEARCH SEMINARS For the student who truly seeks a challenge, even beyond AP level, Windward offers two new honors research seminars. With the approval of the department chair, seniors may enroll in either or both year-long research seminars in Conservation Biology and 20th Century United States History. These courses culminate in a substantial, college-level research paper.
SUBJECT English Mathematics Social Studies Science World Language Visual & Performing Arts
ADVANCED COURSES English 9 H, English 10 H, English 12 H Algebra 1 H, Geometry H, Algebra 2/ Trigonometry H, PreCalculus H World History 1 H; Honors Research Seminar: U.S. History Conceptual Physics H, Biology H, Chemistry H, Honors Research Seminar: Conservation Biology French 1 H, French 2 H, French 3 H, French 4 H, Mandarin 2, Spanish 1 H, Spanish 2 H, Spanish 3 H, Spanish 4 H Advanced Jazz Ensemble
AP COURSES AP Literature and Composition AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC AP Modern European History, AP American History, AP Government & Politics: U.S., AP Art History AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Physics B, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism, AP Environmental Science AP Spanish Language, AP French Language AP Studio: Drawing & Painting, AP Studio: 2-D Design, AP Studio: 3-D Design
Although Windward operates on a year-long schedule, seniors may also choose to enroll in semester-long courses across the disciplines. The seven semester-length courses for 2011-12 include: AP U.S. Government; The Brothers Karamazov; Philosophy: The Search for Meaning; Creative Writing/Poetry; Economics; Web Design; Psychology.