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1. Welcome to the Middle School!

   Dynamic, all-encompassing transformation is the hallmark of our Middle School. Take a look at what our Middle School has to offer!

   Stops

   1. Clarkson Hall

      Westminster's Middle School building, Clarkson Hall, was named in honor of Westminster’s fourth president, Dr. William Clarkson IV, who served from 1991-2014. Bill Clarkson was the longest-serving president in the history of the School.
      
      Clarkson Hall is the hub of Middle School learning and features many flexible indoor and outdoor spaces which foster innovation, exploration, and discovery.
      
      Within Clarkson Hall is the Oglesby Room, a multi-purpose space that hosts activities such as weekly assemblies, music and theatre arts showcases, concerts, and school dances. 
      
      The Goizueta Innovation Lab serves as a catalyst for Westminster’s comprehensive STEAM integration initiatives (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). The 3,400-square-foot space is designed to provide the tools and technology to support exploration and problem-solving through design thinking, project-based learning, and fabrication. The lab is also home to the Middle School robotics teams, which have won statewide honors.

   2. Oglesby Room

      This flexible, multi-purpose space features retractable bleacher-style seating and serves as an auditorium and event space for activities such as weekly assemblies, music and theatre arts showcases, concerts, and school dances.

   3. George Woodruff Library

      Dedicated in 1985, The George Woodruff Library serves Westminster’s Middle School students. The 6,000-square-foot library provides ample space for browsing and pleasure reading, reference and research, group and individual study, instruction in library skills, media production, faculty study, and library volunteer work. The General Collection includes 13,000 print volumes, 500+ audiovisual resources, 48 professional and general interest periodicals, and 31 electronic resources.
      
      Located inside the library is The Hub where Student Support learning strategists work closely with students on executive functioning skills, including how to better organize materials and note-taking during class.

   4. Taratus Chapel

      The Taratus Family's roots at Westminster stretch back three generations, and they chose to honor their connection to the school through this beautiful Middle School space for reflection and worship.

   5. Math and Bible Hallway

      The math and Bible hallway is located in a newly renovated wing of Clarkson Hall. Student take a wide array of math courses, including Pre-Algebra, Advanced Concepts, Geometry, and Algebra I during their time in the Middle School and take a Bible class during seventh grade.
      
      The renovated hallway provides extra spaces for students to meet individually with teachers for help or students to collaborate.

   6. English Curriculum

      All students take a yearlong English course that incorporates grammar, literature, and writing. In eighth grade, students participate in a semester workshop devoted exclusively to writing. In the Middle School, English classes are single-gender to allow our faculty to meet the needs of our students' more effectively.
      

   7. Languages and Global Programs

      In the Middle School, students have the opportunity to study Chinese, French, Latin, or Spanish. Students may change languages between sixth and seventh grade, then students are required to continue the same language in eighth grade.
      
      

      Our students have the ability to participate in several global programs, where they are able to research, learn, appreciate cultures, and hone foreign language skills. Destinations have included Colorado, Canada, Ecuador, Spain, Italy, France, and India.

   8. Science Curriculum

      In grades six, seven, and eight, students are introduced to fundamental principles and topics related to the major scientific disciplines. The curriculum focuses on process and inquiry and enables students to manipulate a variety of materials in order to understand basic scientific principles. This learning method empowers students to build their own understanding and aggressively addresses common misunderstandings to make room for correct learning. We believe that this curriculum strengthens students’ appreciation for the sciences and prepares them for the more rigorous, content-specific study of physics, chemistry, and life science in Upper School.

   9. History Curriculum

      A wide variety of experiences are found through the history courses taken in the sixth and seventh grades. Sixth graders take a yearlong World Cultures course while seventh graders study a year of United States History.

   10. Locker Commons

       The six Middle School locker commons provide distinct and comfortable home base areas for each grade level, divided by gender. These areas foster a feeling of cohesiveness among class members, and provide close proximity to grade chairs whose offices are located adjacent to the locker commons.

   11. Goizueta Innovation Lab

       The Goizueta Innovation Lab serves as a catalyst for Westminster’s comprehensive STEAM integration initiatives (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). The 3,400-square-foot space, completed in October 2015, is designed to provide the tools and technology to support exploration and problem-solving through design thinking, project-based learning, and fabrication. The lab is also home to the Middle School robotics teams, which have won statewide honors.

   12. Performing and Visual Arts Curriculum

       In the Middle School, we recognize the importance of artistic development in each student. Our performing and visual arts curriculum and opportunities become more sophisticated as student artistry evolves.

       
       Performing arts opportunities include band, orchestra, chorus, public speaking, dance, theatre, and film. Our faculty guide students as they explore creative artistic expression while laying the groundwork in technique in an inclusive environment.
       
       In visual arts courses, students continue to build upon their exploration and discovery taken from the Lower School and anticipate the exciting Portfolio opportunities in the Upper School. Students investigate a variety of media including drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media assemblage, photography, and digital imagery to establish an understanding of the elements and principles of design.
       

   13. Stembler Amphitheatre

       The Middle School's Stembler Amphitheatre provides outdoor space with a sloping, semicircular seating gallery. it is ideal for celebrations, performances, free play, and days when the weather is too nice to have class indoors!

   14. Zakas Courtyard

       Zakas Courtyard, located down the steps from Love Patio and the main campus quad, provides outdoor space for students and members of the community. At any given moment, you'll find the courtyard being used by teachers as an outdoor classroom or by students as a four square court.

   15. IT Services

       Westminster is committed to providing the best technology resources and solutions in support of the School's mission. The IT Services team's main office is located on the lower level of Scott Hall, where Technology Specialists staff a Knowledge Bar to address issues students and faculty might encounter with their School-provided mobile devices.
       
       The team's Integration Specialists support professional development for faculty as it pertains to the integration of technology in the classroom. Ongoing work includes ensuring a robust and redundant network that supports the academic and administrative needs of the School.
       
       The continuous innovation from our IT Services is the reason why Westminster has been named an Apple Distinguished School since 2013.

   16. Malone Dining Hall

       This dining facility serves all Middle and Upper School students, faculty, and staff. Delicious, well-balanced meals featuring healthy, sustainable ingredients are prepared by FLIK Independent School Dining Services. Choices such as homemade soups, fresh salads, and hot panini sandwiches add variety to the daily entree and side dish offerings.

   17. Turner Gym

       Originally built in 1970, the Fred J. Turner Gymnasium underwent a massive renovation in 2000 and now offers 160,000 square feet of modern space for physical education and athletics.
       
       The gym features practice and game courts for volleyball and basketball, squash courts, a suspended 1/10 mile indoor track, a fitness center, an aquatic center, classroom space, locker rooms, and more.
       
       The Parker Campus Center in Turner Gym is also a popular spot for studying and relaxing after school.
       
       Learn more about Athletics at Westminster.