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 will gain valuable experience in real-world situations and scenarios and will have the opportunity to put our school’s vision into practice through community-oriented learning. Students who take part in an academy will have a multi-year experience that may include a mentor and/or related internship. Students who complete work within each portion of an academy will receive credit on their transcript.
Enrichment
Academic enrichment opportunities offer students the unique ability to go deeper and further into academic material they are interested in. These opportunities stretch across the disciplines.
Recovery
Academic recovery is designed to give students time, space, and support each week to get caught up on schoolwork and/or seek extra help from teachers. We will also provide a Writing Center and a 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).
Information & Course Guide
Learn about academies, enrichment, and recovery opportunities.
Download Course Guide
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 will be a bit 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 will 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.
- If my student has applied for an academy, should he/she also indicate interest for enrichments?
Since academies have limited space and require an application, we recommend that anyone applying for an academy also fill out the enrichment interest form in the event that he/she is not accepted to the academy.
- My student has submitted enrichment preferences. Now what?
Each student can plan to receive his/her top choice unless otherwise notified. Students will formalize this placement in Advisory during the first week of school. There will be an add/drop period for students who wish to change enrichments — more information to come.
- 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 will come with a certain level of flexibility (teachers will provide clear expectations at the first meeting), and students in enrichment courses will be able to get extra support for their regular classes or college applications as needed. Academies will be treated as a normal academic course in this regard — students are expected to attend each session.
- Will there still be a period during the day (other than the academy time) for the entrepreneurship class/Pawprint Coffee?
The entrepreneurship class meets every day during first hour. In addition to this class, Pawprint Coffee is operated by students every morning and after school on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
- 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. Enrichment in middle school will be on Wednesdays only.
- When are after-school clubs?
Upper school clubs will take place after the school day ends.
Middle school clubs will 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.
- Since lunch is longer next year, will seniors/juniors have Senior/Junior Privilege during that time?
Yes.
- Will we still have the Scholars Diploma option?
Yes. The Scholars Diploma program will remain 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).
