Academics

Westminster is designed to instruct students on higher-order skills in reading, writing, mathematics, problem solving and abstract reasoning.  Each high school student is offered elective class opportunities in addition to the core classes.  Each student who graduates from WCS will be educationally prepared to enter college.

Westminster Christian School is committed to high quality academics that allow students to reach their God given potential. The fact that all students are created in the image of God and are uniquely gifted is at the core of our philosophy of education. We must nurture and educate children in a way that allows them to discover, embrace, and develop their giftedness for a life in service to Christ. Our faculty and curriculum are built around a firm commitment to integrate Biblical principles into all aspects of our program. Students must be taught to think and live Biblically. Their personal relationship with Christ should lead them to possess a clear Biblical World and Life view, a passion for the world around them, a desire to lead, encourage, and challenge others, and a strong sense of God’s call, as they grow in maturity and understanding.  Our teachers are at the center of our commitment to high quality academics.  Our student teacher ratios average less than 20 to 1. Many opportunities exist for small group and individual instruction. As students learn and grow, their giftedness is demonstrated in different ways.

Westminster Christian High School is academically competitive, and since the programs inception, WCHS has had one National Merit Scholarship Finalist and six National Merit Commended students.  Students successfully content in ACT/SAT standardized tests and excel above both national and state averages.

Graduation Requirements College Prepartory Curriculum   27 Units (including Bible) 4 Units English 3 Units Social Science 3 Units Math 1 Unit Computer Science 1 Unit Fine Arts/Humanities 3 Units Science 2 Units Foreign Language 2 Units Physical Ed./Health 4 Units Bible 4 Units Practical Arts/Adv. Core classes

Test Scores WCS ACT mean score - 22.6 Illinois ACT mean score - 20.3 National ACT mean score - 20.9 ACT PLAN is administered to all sophomores PSAT is administered to all juniors

• 1997-2004  3 National Merit Finalists, 5 Commended Students

Grading System

A   90-100

B   80-89

C   70-79

D   60-69

E  59 and below

The school year is divided into two semesters. Each semester includes two nine-week quarter grading periods. Semester exams, which are administered to students in grades 7-12, comprise a value of no greater than 20% of the student's total semester grade. Un-weighted GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale. The school day consists of 43-minute periods, and the students, who attend all class courses on a daily basis, normally carry a seven-course load with the inclusion of a study hall.

Courses designated 'Honors' or 'A/P,' or courses taken a year early may be weighted. An 'A' grade in an "A/P" course is weighted 5.0 on a 4.0 scale, and "Honors" courses are weighted 4.5 on a 4.0 scale.  When GPA includes weighted grades, notation is made on the student transcript.

Because of the school's limited enrollment, selectivity and the academically competitive nature of the program, colleges and universities are strongly cautioned in the use of class ranking beyond the top quartile.