Secondary

International Baccalaureate Secondary School Programme

Maintaining the highest standards in the world, the IB Middle Years Programme challenges students to reach beyond themselves and their communities to the world at large. The Westwood School implements the IB curriculum in 7th and 8th grades, as an ideal overlay to the foundation laid by the Montessori method, and will add ninth grade in fall 2008. Westwood will add another grade each year through high school, thus, implementing the IB Diploma Programme, authorization for which will begin in 2009.

As part of the IB Programme, our students produce a portfolio of their work keeping process journals and reflection journals as they undertake projects.

Our core curriculum offers in-depth work in the following areas:

Literature and Language Arts

At this level, the emphasis is on reading and critical analysis of literature. The study of classics such as The Odyssey, Beowulf, Killer Angels, Anthem, and works by Shakespeare, empowers our students to understand some of the basic questions and challenges of life. As they explore how literary characters handle various circumstances, students apply these lessons to their own lives.

Creative writing, formal research documentation, oral communication, and drama complete the curriculum. Additionally, students edit and revise their work for publication. Vocabulary enrichment is preparation for higher-level testing; the high school text “What’s the Word?” is used. A research paper with footnotes and a bibliography is required at this level.

Continued involvement in the annual performance of a Shakespeare play is also part of the Middle School curriculum, with students responsible for the production. Often students not only have major roles, but also manage crews or serve as a student director. They orchestrate light and sound systems, set design and construction, costume design and creation, and make-up. Westwood fosters a love of the language and allows the students to experience the complications of producing classic plays.

Mathematics

Concentration is on advanced mathematics, algebra, and geometry. Advanced math materials, texts, scientific calculators and computer software are all used to communicate math concepts.

Science

In a two-year rotation, students study theory and do experiments in physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, meteorology, zoology, ecology, and engineering. True understanding of the Scientific Method and its application is achieved at this level. Hands-on experience with dissection and lab experimentation stimulates the students’ thirst for knowledge about the inner workings of the world around them. Further, competition in the national engineering contest, Future City, provides them with a thorough knowledge of city planning, energy production, medicine, housing, economics, agriculture, and waste management for future generations.

Social Studies and History

In a two-year rotation, the main focus is on the foundations of Western Civilization. The democracy of the Greeks,  trial of Socrates, ideas of Plato and Aristotle, foundation of the Roman Republic, and other essentials to the creation of American civilization are studied. Review of the fundamentals of American History, Texas History and general World History are also covered. In-depth study is made of World War I and World War II, including causes and consequences. Weekly current event sharing leads to lively discussion.

Latin

Book Two of the Cambridge Latin Course facilitates continued study of the history of the Roman Empire.

Studios

Conducted in the last hour of each school day so as to avoid interruption of core curriculum, these classes are held twice weekly for eight weeks:            

Physical Education

Students at this level continue daily outdoor or gym activity. In formal classes, they continue to further hone their skills in volleyball, basketball, badminton and other group activities. They begin to establish individual programs for Core Athleticism that will enable them to participate in any athletic endeavor.

Spanish

Students continue their command of the language at this stage, practicing their skills through conversations and exercises in writing and grammar.

 Visual Art

Students increase their ability to translate visions to various media by studying perspective, light and other visual concepts. Their portfolios include examples of their proficiency in still life, weaving, pottery, and watercolor as they meet the challenges of self-expression.

 Music

At this level, the emphasis is on reading music and composition. Recognition of different styles and pieces of music help students to find common themes among musical works. Classroom competitions organized to identify works and compose music based on particular rhythms result in great fun.

 Photography

Students learn the basics of composition and light as they create their own photographic records and original works. They also explore the basics of filming and photographing movement.

Middle School Trips

Students take two trips during the year. The first, a week before the school year begins, is designed to build community. By working together to overcome challenges, students learn to trust and depend upon one another even more than they had in younger grades.

A second trip in the spring takes the students to an American historical site, such as Washington D.C. or Boston.

One-third of the cost of their trips is raised by the students as a group; another third through individual work projects at home or for neighbors; the final third paid by their parents.