Academics

Whether the child is interacting with teachers, staff members, bus drivers, custodians, museum guides, or classmates, these qualities are articulated, modeled, and nurtured.

In grades 3 – 8, students are taught by the same team of teachers for two years. This allows the teachers to get to know students (and their parents) well, fostering trusting relationships and long-range perspective on the child’s progress.

In addition to relevant educational credentials and experience, Westminster looks for kind, loving, inspirational individuals who are passionate about teaching and about the subject(s) they teach. Westminster teachers are trained and carefully guided by the administration, team leaders, and subject department chairs to ensure consistent and thorough implementation of the Westminster curriculum and overall program.

There is a carefully structured, thoroughly articulated curriculum for each subject, which progresses smoothly from grade to grade. Curriculum structure and delivery are overseen by department chairs and administrative curriculum specialists, ensuring ongoing review and improvement, and consistency from subject to subject and year to year.

Teacher-directed, purposeful classrooms – Westminster classrooms are conducive to in-depth understanding, critical thinking, clear articulation, responsible study and work habits, and pursuit of excellence. Organizational skills and the habits of good scholarship 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 20 minutes in kindergarten to 2½ 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.

Students enjoy an average of one field trip per month, bringing their classroom studies to life, providing bonding experiences with classmates, and establishing traditions that Westminster students anticipate with each passing generation.

Teachers provide extra academic help during the last period of the school day for any student who may be struggling with a particular subject, general study or organizational skills, or who would like extra preparation before a test. Students identified as needing remediation or enrichment in reading/language arts or math have the benefit of the Student Resource Center where teachers provide an individually tailored program (at no extra charge).

Regular, constructive communication among these partners is not only customary, but a part of school policy. Teachers are required to maintain certain levels of communication with parents, and parents are invited to communicate whenever they have a question or concern. School administrators are frequent participants at school events, well-known among the parents, and accessible to anyone in the school community who requests their attention.

In addition to ensuring an appropriate presentation and avoiding fashion competition, uniforms and the staff dress code encourage a “ready for school” attitude and comportment.