Westminster School

"I am a parent to two Westminster graduates. If your concern in selecting a school for your child is finding a safe environment that they feel happy and comfortable in while learning, then you have found it. Both my daughter's, who are now young adults, refer to their Westminster years as a great experience that started in kindergarten where they found their best friends for life. They want their kids to attend the school and share the same diverse and rich experience they had as a kid. I enjoy hearing and knowing that our choice for them was the right one and we too had the privilege of having the comfort of knowing that our kids were safe, happy, and getting great education in an accepting and diverse environment."

"I only recently became acquainted with Westminster School, and have had until now no vested interest in the school. I have been learning a great deal about this unique place from its administrators, parents, students, and alumni/ae. The curriculum is truly one of a kind - emphasizing the classics, including Latin, penmanship, the fine arts, theater, and a variety of basic skills (including civility) that have all but been forgotten in other schools. These are the sort of skills which make its graduates stand out among others. Personally, I have seen some of its graduates in secondary education settings and they truly have excelled, which is why I agreed to serve on Westminster's board. A bonus - the campus is a little gem in centrally-located Annandale. I look forward to working with Westminster for many years to assist them in their goal - to provide a superior education to exceptional young men and women. If you seek an outstanding education at an affordable price, you simply must consider Westminster."

"My daughter graduated in 2012 after eight years at this school. She has just been admitted to Mary Baldwin College at age 14 to study Renaissance literature (which includes English Renaissance theater performance) and will minor in French. Westminster gave her an excellent background in French, Latin, math, history (both European and American), English literature and a very refined sense of English grammar: a claim supported by her SAT scores (taken in the middle of 8th grade she scored far better than most high school students planning to enter college). She was admitted to one of the most elite high schools in Fairfax, but personally assessed that it would not provide the intellectual stimulation she craves. My daughter is not a genius, she simply has an intense desire to learn. Westminster completely satisfied that desire for eight years by keeping her with great books, great teachers and a real sense of intellectual accomplishment. We love, and deeply respect the headmaster, who takes a serious interest in the development of each child. If you send your child to this school, your most serious problem may be that you will not find a high school which truly picks up where Westminster leaves off."

"Westminster School is the right school for my family. I have been a community member of this small school for 8 years. Before choosing this school, I sent my husband to attend an Open House. He was wowed by the promises made there that night. In fact, he came home that night absolutely determined to send our oldest son there. Eventually, our youngest son followed suit. Westminster School was considerably more expensive than our local Catholic School, but my husband felt that it was worth the money. We are a one income family who, like most others, value what the school has to offer. It appeals to our core values that honesty, hard work and education will lead to a child's critical thought process and correct work ethic. Now, looking back, and knowing that years ago it cost the county we live in, Arlington, $16 k to educate a child each year I wonder how WS does as much as it does for the money. What we have witnessed in our children has been exceptional. Do they make mistakes and get “Detentions”? Yes. But, that is part of the curriculum. It is part of life. If you don't get your work done, for whatever reason, there is a consequence. What we also have gained at this school, as parents, is an unexpected growth in ourselves. I am not the same person I was walking into that school 8 years ago. I have had the priviledge to grow as a person and I honestly do not think that this would have happened at another school. I venture to say that I would not be where I am today, who I am today, if I didn't have Westminster in my life. I have had so many whoppertunities to grow my family here. I agree that this school is not for every child. Sometimes, even I get frustrated with the day to day “life” there. But, my children are happy and growing, so I put it in perspective. I am happy with 90% of the school (perhaps even more). I believe that if you are happy with more than 75% of your school's curriculum, you have found the right school for you. I recommend this school to most families and am proud to tell you that my name is Laura Clancy."

"We have been with Westminster School for seven years now. Admittedly the school is not easy, however, we did not sign up for our three (soon to be four) children in school to just "slide through" and not learn. We have found the rigorous curriculum has made our children more mature and able to handle their studies much better than when we were children ourselves, i.e. these kids are WAY AHEAD of where we were at their age. Westminster has always taught them to be honorable and trustworthy with their peers. And, when a mistake is made they accept the consequences and learn from it. We are VERY upset about the derogatory postings from a certain parent whose children acted dishonorably to our school. Such parents need to learn what honor is all about and to teach the same to their children. Sorry it had to be the school that had to teach this to them. We are convinced the school produces a great education and feel there is a wonderful exchange for the money we pay. Westminster actually is an Axis of Goodwill, Caring, and Love that will stay with the student all their lives. By the way - we are the BROWN family."