Westminster Academy (Florida)
| Westminster Academy | |
|---|---|
| Motto |
"Soli Deo Gloria" (Latin: Glory to God alone) |
| Established | 1970 |
| Type | Private |
| Religious affiliation | Presbyterian Church in America[1] |
| Affiliation | Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church[1] |
| Headmaster | Dr. Leo Orsino[2] |
| Principal |
Mike Critch (High School) Diane Showalter (Middle School) Rebecca Myers (Lower School)[2] |
| Founder | Dr. D. James Kennedy[3] |
| Faculty | 83 |
| Students | 994 total[4] |
| Grades | PK2 – 12 |
| Location | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States |
| Accreditation |
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Christian Schools of Florida, National Council for Private School Accreditation |
| Colors | Navy Blue, White, and Red |
| Mascot | Lions |
| Yearbook | Optimé |
| National ranking | U.S. Department of Education’s Excellence in Education Award |
| Website | www.wa.edu |
Westminster Academy is a private Christian school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, serving students in grades PK2 through 12.[3] It is an educational ministry of the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and is related denominationally to the Presbyterian Church in America.[1] The main campus is located at 5601 North Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale,[5] with a "West Campus" athletic complex located at 3701 NW 44th Street in Lauderdale Lakes.[6]
During 2013–2014 academic year the school had a total enrollment of 994 students: 359 in lower school (preprimary–5th grade), 258 in middle school (grades 6–8), and 377 in high school (grades 9–12). All together, the school has accumulated over 1000 students (grades preprimary-12).[4] The current headmaster is Dr. Leo Orsino.[2]
Academics
- College Preparatory Curriculum[7]
- Top Tier College Admissions[7]
- 13 Advanced Placement Courses[7]
- 11 Dual Enrollment Courses[7]
- 22 Honors Courses[7]
- 14 Elective Honors Courses[7]
- Duke TIP Participants[7]
- The Class of 2014 earned over $9,100,000 in college scholarships[7]
- Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Program[7]
Athletics
Westminster Academy has a long history of athletics, including many state championships in various sports.[8] Selected highlights include:
- State championship in football in 1990 with a team that featured future Florida State University and NFL quarterback Danny Kanell (Westminster class of 1992)[9]
- Boys state basketball championship in 2002 featuring future University of Florida point guard Taurean Green, who attended Westminster Academy for just one year[10]
- Boys state track championship in 2007 and 2014
- Boys state track championship in 1979 - the school's first boys state championship team
- Boys state baseball in 1999 and 2000
Awards & Recognition
Westminster Academy Lower School selected as a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School[11]
On Tuesday, September 30, 2014, the U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, recognized the Westminster Academy Lower School as a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School in the category of Exemplary High Performing Schools.
The Westminster Academy Lower School will be honored alongside 287 public and 50 private schools across the nation at a recognition ceremony held November 10–11, 2014, in Washington, D.C.
In its 32-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on just under 7,900 of America’s schools.[12]
“These great schools are fulfilling the promise of American education—that all students, can flourish when schools provide safe, creative, and challenging learning environments,” Secretary Duncan said. “National Blue Ribbon Schools are models of consistent excellence and a resource for other schools and districts. We celebrate them for their tireless effort and boundless creativity in reaching and teaching every student.”[12]
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. The award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content.
History
The school was founded in 1971 by the late Dr. D. James Kennedy , the founding pastor of the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church.[3]
In October 2000, Westminster Academy announced that it received an $8.35 million donation from 1978 graduate Jean Case and her husband Steve Case, the former chairman of America Online.[13]
Notable Alumni
- Michael Taylor, class of 2009, Washington Nationals baseball outfielder.[14]
- Elih Villanueva, class of 2004, Florida Marlins baseball player[15]
- Guma Aguiar, class of 1995[16][17]
- Danny Kannell, class of 1992[18]
- Kevin Chapman class of 2006, Houston Astros pitcher[19]
- Matt den Dekker class of 2006, New York Mets outfielder [20]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "About Us". Westminster Academy. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Contact Us". Westminster Academy. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Home Page". Westminster Academy. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Key Facts". Westminster Academy. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
- ↑ "Main Campus Location". Westminster Academy. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
- ↑ "West Campus Location". Westminster Academy. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 "Key Facts". Westminster Academy website. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
- ↑ http://www.wacad.edu/pages/xghome.php?oid=3&id=556&
- ↑ Pennington, Bill (1997-11-16). "PRO FOOTBALL; A Calm Heart Helps Kanell Deal With Adversity". The New York Times.
- ↑ http://www.gatorzone.com/basketball/men/media/2004/pdf/50.pdf
- ↑ "Westminster Academy Lower School selected as a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School". PRWeb website. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "U.S. Department of Education Announces 2014 National Blue Ribbon Schools". U.S. Department of Education website. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
- ↑ Lona O'Connor and Bill Hirschman (2000-10-17). "AOL Chairman, Wife Donate $8.35 Million to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, School.". South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Case, a 1978 graduate, and her husband, Steve, chairman of America Online, headmaster Ken Wackes announced that the Cases had donated $8.35 million.
- ↑ Nats add three, including two arms, to 40-man roster
- ↑ http://www.seminoles.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/elih_villanueva_321854.html
- ↑ http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/wife-of-missing-millionaire-guma-aguiar-copes-in-his-absence
- ↑ http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/23723/prodigal-son
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Kanell
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Chapman_(baseball)
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_den_Dekker
External links
- www.wa.edu, official website
- facebook.com/walions, Facebook page
- @wacad, Twitter profile
Coordinates: 26°11′50″N 80°06′46″W / 26.1973056°N 80.112822°W