WestminsterYOU
Innovating on a Strong Foundation
WestminsterYOU is an innovative approach to learning and building community that gives our students opportunities to engage and learn in ways that work for them in spaces that inspire connection and customization.
Academies
Academies are academic programs that exist both within and outside our traditional seven period day. Students in our academies gain valuable experience in real-world situations and scenarios and have the opportunity to put our school’s vision into practice through community-oriented learning. Students who take part in an academy have a multi-year experience that may include a mentor and/or related internship. Students who complete work within each portion of an academy receive credit on their transcript.
Enrichment
Academic enrichment opportunities offer students the unique ability to more deeply explore areas of interest. These opportunities stretch across the disciplines.
Recovery
Academic recovery is designed to give students time, space, and support each week. During Advisory, students can use the time to finish assigned work or to seek extra help from teachers. Students can also visit the Writing Center or Math Center for academic support. Students who have a failing grade may be assigned to an intervention program to address academic deficiencies and to give them an opportunity to boost their grade(s).
FAQs
- What are the homework expectations for enrichments and academies?
The last thing we want to do is overload our students, which is why we’ve carved out time during the day for these programs. With that said, while the enrichment opportunities should have no extra homework, the academies are more structured and rigorous since they are ultimately for academic credit as well as extra distinction at graduation.
- Can a student participate in more than one academy?
Students may only participate in one academy. Academies take place two days per week and are year-long.
- Can a student participate in more than one enrichment opportunity?
Yes, each student may participate in up to two enrichment opportunities, assuming they do not conflict.
- If needed, can a student move to recovery if extra assistance is needed during the year?
Yes. Because enrichment opportunities are not credited, students have some freedom to move about between them and recovery. In some cases, a student may be required to go to academic intervention because of low grades or missing assignments.
- Can my student occasionally miss an academy or enrichment class to go to Advisory, recovery, or the College Connection enrichment?
Flexibility will vary by class. In general, enrichment offerings come with a certain level of flexibility (teachers will provide clear expectations at the first meeting), and students in enrichment courses are able to get extra support for their regular classes or college applications as needed. Academies are treated as a normal academic course in this regard — students are expected to attend each session.
- What if a student already has his/her four-year schedule planned?
Students not in the academies may also be in classes that are academy requirements. In fact, classes will always be mixed. A student may take AP Gov his/her senior year without being part of the Law and Constitution Academy.
- Can seventh grade students still participate in two sports per season?
Yes. Middle school sports will take place on Mondays/Tuesdays/Thursdays/Fridays. STEM Academy and enrichment in middle school are on Wednesdays only.
- When are after-school clubs?
Upper school clubs take place after the school day ends.
Middle school clubs generally take place on Wednesdays from 2:10–3 p.m. but club leaders may also choose to meet on a different day after 3 p.m.
- Do we still have the Scholars Diploma option?
Yes. The Scholars Diploma program remains the same.
- Is my student still placed in Advisory if he/she participates in WestminsterYOU?
Yes. Every student is assigned to an Advisory regardless of participation in WestminsterYOU.
- If my student is not part of an academy and is not interested in an enrichment course, what other options does he/she have?
If you choose, your student can keep his/her schedule the same as previous years and not take part in any WestminsterYOU programs. These students will use the time as a study hall in Advisory (Upper School) or Academic Connect (Middle School).
