3819 Gallows Road
Annandale, Virginia 22003

Phone: 703.256.3620

Our Educational Approach

A school is a place where the best hopes of humankind may be made manifest, a place to teach what we value. All of those who comprise Westminster School, its administrators, teachers, custodians, bus drivers, and the parents of its students are united in a common endeavor to impart shared values: a disciplined and informed mind, a strong character, civility, confidence in creativity, and joy in the possibilities of life.

Achieving these goals requires a strong partnership between school and home. At Westminster, we talk about the golden triangle, with the school administration at one point, the teachers at another, and the parents at the third. Within this structure of common purpose and mutual support, the child is safeguarded and guided toward self-discipline, academic achievement, and personal development.

At Westminster, we believe that children are naturally dominated by curiosity and wonder, and want nothing so much as to understand their world and to discover and develop their own potentials. Every aspect of the Westminster program has been designed to foster such discovery and development:

  • The atmosphere of the school is one of warmth, respect, courtesy, and purposefulness.
  • The students wear uniforms daily, and staff members observe a professional dress code.
  • Classes are small, ranging from 15-18 students, and children receive individual attention.
  • There is a carefully structured, thoroughly articulated curriculum in each subject which progresses smoothly from grade to grade.
  • Instruction is presented in a teacher-directed, orderly classroom environment that promotes thorough mastery of subject matter; critical thinking and clarity of articulation; responsible study and work habits; and a desire for excellence.
  • The program is departmentalized in grades 3-8, with specialists teaching all subjects.
  • Organizational skills and good study and work habits are taught and reinforced in every grade so that students learn how to learn.
  • Homework is assigned daily in all grades, with the total daily amount increasing gradually, from approximately 10 minutes in kindergarten to 2 ½ hours in 8th grade.
  • A regular schedule of quizzes, tests, and special projects is consistent from class to class and grade to grade. Teachers coordinate with one another to ensure a balanced study load.
  • Study-related and enrichment field trips are an important part of the program. Students enjoy an average of one field trip per month.
  • After-school help is provided Monday-Thursday for any student who may be struggling with a particular subject or who would like extra preparation before a test.
  • Regular, constructive communication among teachers, parents, and administration is school policy.

Library for Our Educational Approach:

  • Parents Give Westminster School in Virginia Top Grades! [PDF]   
    Description: As part of a periodic accreditation review by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools, Westminster recently surveyed current parents regarding all aspects of the school program. Of the 192 families to whom the surveys were sent, 149 responded. Please read the results, which were tallied and reported by an independent data analyst.

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Westminster School
3819 Gallows Road
Annandale, VA 22003

Phone: (703) 256-3620

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