From Matthew J. Essery, Upper School Division Head
Upper School Weekly Update - Click Here
Fall Course offerings: 2013-14CourseOfferings
English
Science
Media Arts
Math
Social Sciences / History
Senior Year Program
Physical Education
Art
Sports at WDS
Community Service
Music
Languages other than English
Upper School Weekly Update - Click Here
The WDS Upper School seeks to prepare students both for higher education and for life. Our focus on experiential, place-based learning prepares them for participation in a complex world. Students are encouraged to explore ideas through critical analysis, always delving below the surface to understand not just details, but perspective as well.
In the classroom students play an active role in determining what and how they learn, designing their own projects in a place-based model. Ample opportunity for reflection, peer- and self-assessment is given. Students have many opportunities to collaborate with their classmates. WDS has an ongoing partnership with Marist and Bard that allows students to earn college credit in a variety of courses. In addition to the core curriculum students have the opportunity to follow their passions through our electives. We have a very diverse staff and community members who bring a wide range of prior experiences to their teaching. This offers a broad spectrum of talents for the students to grow from.
We partner with our students to help them find their voices and express their individuality within the context of a strong community. The Upper School is divided into three houses so that each student receives the attention they need to be successful. Every student is partnered with an adviser. Our teachers see your child as an individual and a member of the school community.
Students in the Upper School participate in a service learning program. This program allows students to apply their education in a way that fosters civic responsibility. The service learning program also allows us to bring the community to our campus through professional community members teaching courses.
Small class sizes help lay the foundation for a strong, thriving community. Students call teachers by their first name; parents are often seen volunteering on campus. Our school community gathers for social events throughout the year. The community stretches from preschool through grade 12. Students in the upper school are paired with students in the lower school through our Buddy Program. This program offers mentoring, community service projects, and a chance to be a role model/mentor.
Seniors at WDS are required to create an in-depth, personally relevant, independent project. Students will then create a presentation that is assessed by a jury panel that they invite. The project includes a half hour presentation addressed to the wider WDS community. Another component of the project is a minimum twenty page research paper, with a multi-media presentation. The capstone project is a launching off point for our students for future endeavors. It provides portfolio and resume components that set our students apart. More importantly it continues to build upon the skills that they have learned at WDS, civic responsibility, critical analysis, an appreciation of different perspectives and authentic learning. Past projects have propelled students into colleges, internships, and career opportunities.
At WDS we are constantly looking toward the future of education. We are currently constructing a media arts center and library to aid students in their academic pursuits. This media center represents our growth towards the future. The center will provide students an opportunity to use 21st century tools in bridging the digital gap.
RSS
| 
| 