Academics

Upper School (Grades 6-8)

Where Intelligence, Confidence, and Creativity Come Together

Westminster’s upper school provides an extraordinary academic and personal development program. A well-rounded, challenging academic curriculum, with daily guidance toward personal responsibility and independent study skills, is combined with close attention to each child’s individual development. Within a warm, nurturing environment, children are encouraged and taught how to exercise respect, kindness, responsibility, integrity, and resilience, as well as the knowledge, skills, and attitudes fundamental to their delight in learning—today and always. Firmly grounded in the school’s overall mission and philosophy, the upper-school program provides a carefully planned, consistent approach to all aspects of your child’s intellectual, emotional, and social development.

Two upper school boys student carpool patrols

Boy and girl together dressed up in fancy clothing at a school dance

A Team Approach

The upper-school teachers:

coordinate the daily schedule of classes, assessments, projects, field trips, and other activities ensuring a steady workload and balance of activities;
keep a close eye on each individual’s progress, academic, social, or emotional;
provide counseling in personal development, peer relations, and general life skills; and
communicate closely with parents in personal conferences, telephone calls, postings and Blackbaud, and emails.

Teacher Specialists

Our teachers are subject-area specialists, many of whom hold an undergraduate and/or graduate degree in the subject he or she teaches and a master’s degree in education, or have a comparable background. 7th and 8th-grade students have a separate teacher and classroom for English/language arts, math, history/geography, science, French, Spanish, Latin, art, music, and PE. This approach provides an “immersion” environment in each class, where the teacher’s background, passion, and creativity are all directed toward the subject under study. Each day, the students enter classrooms in which all of the lessons, displays, and special activities are designed to engage their interest and further their knowledge of each subject.

Challenging Academics

High-quality, in-depth curricula are in place for all subjects, shown below. With Westminster’s learning-friendly environment and teacher specialists, our students are exposed to a greater breadth and depth of knowledge and progress at a faster pace than their peers in public and other private schools. Expectations are high for student effort and accountability, with homework assignments in all subjects each night and a regular schedule of assessments and projects.

Meet our Upper School Teachers

Language Arts

The English/Language Arts program is literature based, with classes reading several classic works each year in addition to instruction in reading comprehension, grammar and usage, vocabulary, and writing. A wide variety of literary forms, including novels, plays, short stories, poems, and essays, provide a sophisticated survey of classic literature and help foster a love for the written word and inspiration for writing development. Through reading, class discussion, and writing, this accelerated program spurs interest and insight into humanity, stimulates imagination, sharpens analytical skills, and develops reading and writing fluency. In addition to expository writing, students enjoy many opportunities for creative writing, including poetry. Writing is emphasized across the curriculum, with English standards upheld in all classes.

Advanced Math

Westminster’s mathematics program at all levels emphasizes logical thinking and problem solving as well as computation. Teachers employ a variety of teaching methods and activities to clarify abstract concepts, and online textbooks provide a wealth of additional resources for instruction, practice, test preparation, and enrichment.

In 7th grade, all students embark on the study of Algebra I. Class groupings and textbook assignments, however, take into account the variation in students’ readiness for abstract mathematical concepts. Based on established qualifying criteria, students take either the entire course of Algebra I or part 1 of Algebra I, completing part 2 in 8th grade. Those students who complete Algebra I in 7th grade study Geometry in 8th grade.

History/Classical Studies

The history program in grades 6-8 continues and completes Westminster’s sequential survey of western civilization, including in-depth study of historic events and personages, daily life, and contributions to government, science/engineering, art/architecture, and religion/mythology of the great civilizations of the west. Seventh-grade studies focus on the Renaissance, with an emphasis on the rise of humanism. Concurrent English classes introduce students to great writers of the period, including Dante, Petrarch, and Chaucer, with a strong focus on Shakespeare. Finally, 8th graders follow the arc of western civilization across the Atlantic to the founding and subsequent history of the United States. Students enjoy many opportunities to analyze primary sources, including the influential and founding documents of our nation.

Laboratory Science

The science curriculum in all grades excites wonder and curiosity about the natural world and trains students in the processes of careful observation and systematic analysis. Through reading, discussion, research, creative projects, and hands-on activities, students are guided to discover, explore, question, and reflect on different aspects of the world around us.

The 7th grade science program is a laboratory-based introduction to basic concepts in biology/life science, with emphasis on microbiology and biochemistry, including extensive practice in the use of the microscope. Scientific processes and practices are reinforced in the numerous labs, and students learn to write properly formatted laboratory reports.

The 8th grade physical science program is a mathematics-based, inquiry approach to the study of chemistry and physics. This course serves as a rigorous introduction to basic concepts in both disciplines, and also provides a multitude of laboratory activities designed to help students develop science process skills.

French

As the second-greatest contributor to the English language, after Latin, knowledge of French is one of the strongest tools a student can have for vocabulary acquisition, reading comprehension, writing, and cultural breadth. Students in all grades study French. Seventh and 8th grade programs continue the training in reading, writing, and speaking French with increasing mastery of vocabulary, grammar and usage, comprehension, and fluency. The upper-school French program essentially comprises (high-school) French II. Most Westminster graduates place into French II Honors or French III in high school. For transfer students, a strong support program is in place to facilitate transition into the French program, including summer school, after-school help, and one-on-one tutoring, if needed.

Latin

As part of Westminster’s classical curriculum, students in 6th–8th grades are instructed in Latin, completing high-school Latin I over the two years of study. The cumulative 6th–8th grade curriculum provides a thorough foundation in Latin language, stresses the richness of Latin heritage in English vocabulary, reviews the outline of Roman history, reinforces knowledge of Roman mythology, and expands understanding of Roman daily life. Study of classical Latin texts illuminates the essentially classical heritage that underlies American literature, art, political ideals, and sense of history.

Specials & Other Programs

Physical Education

6th–8th grade students enjoy daily P.E. classes. Organized activities and games develop general fitness and conditioning, coordination, manipulative activities, and game/sport skills. Classes also emphasize good character and age-appropriate health and lifestyle awareness. Upper-school students enjoy a field trip to Horizons at Hemlock Overlook, an outdoor challenge program that promotes individual courage and collaborative teamwork and includes overnight camping trips. Students have the opportunity to join after-school sports teams for league competition in soccer, basketball, and softball, as well as track and field events. An intramural program is also offered during the winter months.

Social dancing is taught to all 6th-8th graders as part of the P.E. program. Dance lessons include popular line dances, waltz, jitterbug, and fox trot. Dance parties are held three times a year, including costumes, games, prizes, and lots of boogie-down fun.

Technology

Guidance/Character Development

Under the guidance of the administration, Westminster teachers are grouped into grade-level teams who become experts in the developmental stage and associated challenges that each age-group faces. Since they teach the children for two consecutive years, there is ample time to develop trusting relationships and gain insight into each individual. Teachers are better able to strengthen the children’s academic skills, but also to nurture healthy individual development and positive peer relations.

As children enter 7th grade at Westminster School, they literally “turn the corner” into the 7th/8th grade hallway, but also metaphorically, into a new and exciting stage of development. Adolescence brings a stronger emphasis on peer relationships and burgeoning individuality. A greater capacity for abstract thinking opens new worlds for the children, and they often develop a keen interest in this or that subject, a passion for a particular musical group, or a tendency to question and debate any topic. Our teachers delight in and support all of these positive age-appropriate developments in their students. They understand that this developmental stage may also bring new challenges, including issues of self-esteem, peer competition, and the potential for social exclusion. Our teachers keep a keen eye on the children’s character development and how they interact with one another. Under the experienced guidance of the administration, the teachers are well prepared to guide the children through this sometimes bumpy passage, steering them toward positive self-esteem, kindness and respect for one another, and accountability for their own attitudes and actions.

Enrichment

This special 8th-grade class is taught by the Headmaster and Assistant Head of School. It aims to put the final polish on our soon-to-be graduates. Topics include personal grooming and presentation, social skills and courtesies, extemporaneous speaking and mock interviews, as well as a variety of arts-related experiences.

The students are guided toward careful thought about the future—the kind of person they want to be and how to get there. Core to the class is the motto: From him to whom much is given, much is expected. Enrichment class aims to focus the student’s thoughts on his/her personal strengths and areas for improvement, goals and obligations, and to encourage self-responsibility, thoughtfulness of others, enthusiasm, gratitude, and the courage to pursue one’s dreams.

Field Trips

The Arts: The Heart of Westminster

Westminster believes that participation in the arts is essential to the development of a well-rounded, fully realized individual. All students are given a strong foundation in the visual and performing arts through regular classes, arts-related field trips, an art-rich physical environment, and frequent opportunities to attend and perform in school music programs and dramatic productions. Dance is included in the curriculum at all grade levels.

Music Classes

Music classes are a regular part of the 6th-8th grade schedule. The curriculum combines music appreciation and history, music literacy, and choral training. All students perform in choral programs twice yearly. Additional opportunities for choral training and performance are provided for 6th-8th grade students who show special interest and ability. Orchestra is offered as an optional program, including individual and ensemble instruction and public performances twice yearly.

Orchestra

Art Classes

Students in grades 6-8 participate in studio art classes on a rotating basis with other enrichment classes throughout the school year. In Westminster’s large, naturally lit art studio, students are guided through a variety of projects which further their understanding of art processes, skills, and media. Projects are often designed to provide expression of the student’s individual interests and self-image. Students also learn about the work of different artists, and discover much through experimenting with a particular artist’s style. Throughout the year, each student produces a portfolio of art works, and all students have a work included in the annual school-wide art contest.

Drama

The drama program at Westminster is central to its mission to instill confidence and poise in the students and to nurture their sense of what is possible for them in life. In 7th grade, the students are directed by the Headmaster in a full production of a Shakespeare play. Eighth grade brings the culmination of the drama program with the staging of a Broadway musical. The level of effort, engagement, and personal courage required by these ambitions projects is transformative for both the individual students and the class as a whole. The upper-school plays provide an artistic highlight and experience of shared pride for the entire Westminster community.