| | WESTMINSTER
ACADEMY
Headmaster's Message
A report gave a dire prediction: American society will no longer be divided only by the typical categories of education and economic class, but by a new, more important classification those who can access and utilize technology and those who cannot. The report went on to describe the absolute necessity for the present generation of students to be able to function fully in the world of computerization and other hi-tech areas. The age of the computer finds even our preprimary 4-year-olds working in the elementary school computer lab. These advances now place a highly increased amount of information at the fingertips of our students, place that information before them in a shorter amount of time, increase their ability to research, and leave more time available to use the information in ways designed by the teachers. Our desire is that the skills learned at Westminster Academy will not terminate when a student graduates, but will continue throughout a lifetime. |
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| | Technology
is our contact with the future, just as history is our contact with the past. The future will soon be the present, the present will soon be the past, and the past will become ancient history. Westminster Academy students are becoming prepared for future success with out strong emphasis on technology in every aspect of education. Westminster Academy is our committed to pursuing the full use of existing technology as well as moving ahead with emerging technology as it develops. |
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| | Curriculum
Computer teachers work together with classroom teachers to provide a dynamic and htorough program of computer education. Students in the elementary school have a fully equipped and networked lab with controlled internet access as well as four computers in each classroom. Computers are used to supplement teacher instruction by providing learning activities in each academic discipline. Vocabulary, phonics, math, spelling, science and reading are enhanced using the computer as a learning tool. Keyboarding is mastered in grades 4 and 5.
Computer literacy and computer applications (word processing, data base, spreadsheet, and communications) are included in the computer education curriculum for grades 6, 7, and 8.
In the high school curriculum, Computer Applications is required for all students in the freshman year. Additional elective courses include Multi-media, Visual Basic, and Advanced Placement Computer (C++). |
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| | Home-School Communications
Our Parentlink Program puts new technology to work in a very readl way that greatly enhances effective communication between parents and teachers. The ParentLink reporting program allows parents to access updated student progress reports, by phone or internet, that provide for more detailed information than the traditional quarterly report with only a single grade. Students and parents are able to access test grades, homework records, and other academic data directly from home. All teachers keep their grading and homework information continually updated because the program is linked directly to their classroom computer. Many of the teachers update their data on a daily basis for parent and student access. Parents have immediate access to each teacher's voice mailbox and e-mail address 24 hours a day. Information about homework, upcoming tests, projects, etc., is available anytime. Other school information such as directions to athletic contests, the week's lunch menu, and information about field trips is also always available through Westminster Academy online or through the voice mail system.
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| | Equipment and Facilities
Westminster provides three completely equipped computer education labs with controlled internet access through the Christian Interactive Network (CIN). One lab is equipped with IBM Pentiums, and two with Power Macintosh G-3s.
In addition to the three labs, all classrooms are equipped with Macintosh computers. Also, an English lab and two Science classrooms are equipped with extensive computer workstations at the high school level.
The Media Center's automated library system with its twenty-five work stations allows students to access the school's entire card catalog, as well as the Broward County Library System. Encyclopedias, dictionaries, and research programs are accessed through on-line database services. All of the library's reference materials can be accessed from home. Students doing research in the library also have controlled access to the internet through the Christian Interactive Network.
All school offices and secretarial workstations are networked, providing e-mail and calendar coordination for smooth internal communication and administration of the school. |
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