2026-27 Westover School Curriculum Guide

Westover Schoool

CURRICULUM GUIDE

2026 / 2027

BE SEEN. BE KNOWN. BE BOLDLY YOU.

Pedagogical Approach at Westover

We approach our academic philosophy through three main pillars of engagement:

Neuroscience-Informed Pedagogy & Empowerment of Young Women

Building an Inclusive, Health-Focused Learning Environment

Promoting a Global Perspective, Technology, & Women Centered Mentorship

GRADING

Westover grades on a letter scale with a 4.0 GPA conversion, Dbeing passing and B and above being considered an honors grade A minimum of 60 (D-) is required to meet graduation requirements

SCHOOL BACKGROUND AND MISSION

Westover is an independent college preparatory boarding and day school for young women in grades 9 - 12 Founded in 1909, Westover is located halfway between New York City and Boston Westover empowers young women to lead lives of consequence

ACCREDITATION & SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Westover is accredited by New England Association of Schools and Colleges and by the State of Connecticut

HONOR ROLL GUIDELINES

(B) 83-86

(B+) 87-89

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

A student must complete a minimum of 18 credits and must complete their senior year in attendance at Westover to receive a Westover diploma

Westover offers the following Signature Programs:

WISE: Women in Science and Engineering

FIRE: Financial Independence, Readiness, and Empowerment

Rasin Center for Global Justice

SOMSI: Sonja Osborn Museum Studies

Internship

The Westover Institute

Oxford Tutorial

For Your Reference...

The information provided in this curriculum guide is subject to change and may be updated periodically to reflect new academic policies, course offerings, or graduation requirements. While we strive for accuracy, the school reserves the right to modify course descriptions, prerequisites, and availability as needed. Students and families are encouraged to consult with the Academic Office and review official school communications for the most current information.

COURSE LISTINGS

English

Westover’s English Department balances rich literary traditions with contemporary English Language Arts and Literature Studies to help students cultivate scholarly and human values of curiosity, patience, care, thoughtfulness, and creativity. The curriculum begins with 9th and 10th grade core courses, English I and English II, which emphasize close reading and annotation skills, develop a vocabulary of critical terms, and facilitate student discussion skills. Through both expository and creative assignments, students learn to write unified, precise, and well-developed paragraphs and essays. In 11th and 12th grade, students choose from a range of semester-long elective courses, which allow them to deeply explore a variety of themes and topics while continuing to develop as readers, writers, and thinkers. Emphasizing core reading, writing, speaking, and thinking skills with additional instruction in vocabulary, grammar, and mechanics, each course in the English Department centers the students’ experience as matters of thinking, doing, and being in alignment with Westover’s longstanding motto.

ENGLISH I

English I welcomes students to the worlds of language and literature. We explore many kinds of writing, including novels, short stories, essays, and plays. Students learn by doing. We will write our own stories in order to understand the craft. We will study how language works, and how authors, poets, and playwrights create art by playing with language. We will see how writing from the past and present shapes our world and ourselves today. Daily preparation, annotation, discussion, and regular engagement with peers fosters and encourages active participation. Students will also practice critical thinking skills by drafting and revising projects that ask them to grapple with complexity of thought and expression. Full Year | 1 Credit

ENGLISH II

English II is designed to solidify student skills in critical reading and writing as we explore voice and genre. We’ll read poetry from Chaucer and Shakespeare to Tracy K. Smith and Li-young Lee; unpack the form of drama with Sophocles’ Antigone and several contemporary adaptations; and trace the structures of narrative fiction in Claire Keegan’s Foster and Jacqueline Woodson’s Red at the Bone. We will have occasion to refine written expression both creatively and analytically as we reinforce and build on the logic of paragraph structure to craft longer essays. Full Year | 1 Credit

AP® LITERATURE

While serving as intensive, year-long exploration of complex literary texts, this course focuses on reading, analyzing, and writing about various genres of literature (fiction, poetry, drama) from various time periods. Students will devote themselves to the study of literary works written in or translated into English. Careful reading and critical analysis will provide rich opportunities to develop an appreciation of ways literature reflects and comments on a range of experiences, institutions, and social structures. Students will learn to consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism. Students must be prepared for longer reading assignments, frequent timed and untimed writing assignments, and regular written work that will include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays. Lastly, students in this course are expected to take the Advanced Placement exam; the cost of the exam is approximately $100. Full Year | 1 Credit | Open to returning 12th grade students who have at least an Ain their most recent English course | Current English teacher recommendation and a writing sample are required | New students must pass an in-person written assessment

THE VOICE(S) OF POETRY

The poet C.D. Wright has said that “it is a function of poetry to locate those zones inside of us that would be free and declare them so.” Contemporary poetry offers an exciting range of voices and styles for young poets to learn from in order to set their own voices free. In this workshop-based course, students will explore the work of a variety of contemporary poets, both on and off the page, to sample possible modes and techniques of expression, including visual and spoken word poetry. Through experimenting with a variety of exercises and prompts, students will generate a number of poem drafts to hone their skills in the crafting of poetry. As the poet Christian Wiman has said, poems generally happen through "messing around with words." Bring to this class a willingness to experiment and play with language. Frequent writing and revision of poetry will be the primary form of assessment in the class, but students will also keep a craft journal and write a critical essay At the end of the semester, students will create a final portfolio of revised work. Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit

BEGIN NEAR THE END: THE SHORT STORY

This course welcomes students into the lively, high energy world of short stories from writers around the globe, where every sentence pulls its weight and every choice matters. We’ll read with curiosity and write with confidence, exploring how authors hook readers from the very first line, and why those openings are so much fun to analyze. Short fiction is powerful because it delivers big impact in small packages, capturing a vivid moment or mood with an intensity that longer novels often can’t sustain. We’ll play with the idea of starting as close to the end as possible and discover how compression can sharpen meaning and momentum. Together we’ll dig into the central conflict of each story, watching how it unfolds, surprises us, or lingers just beyond the final page. Our readings include celebrated voices such as Flannery O’Connor, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, James Baldwin, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Yoko Ogawa. Alongside reading, students will write their own short stories, experimenting with structure, voice, and emotional precision in a supportive, creative space. Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit

BANNED LITERATURE: CENSORSHIP & CULTURE

This course is devoted to the exploration of literature that has been banned or contested alongside a study of the historical context of censorship. Our units will take us through texts that have been contested due to themes of: gender and sexuality, race and racism, and the origin stories and ideologies of the USA. Our critical engagement with The Color Purple, Gender Queer, and The 1619 Project, as well as their social, political, and cultural contexts, will invite us to grapple with Essential Questions, such as: is censorship ever justified? How does literature intersect with broader systems of oppression and control? We will practice scholarly analysis in analytical writing and socratic seminars, tackle group and individual projects that bring current censorship issues to life, and write a creative banned short story

own. Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit

WORLD MYTHOLOGY

What will happen to Odin and Thor at the last battle during Ragnarok? How did Susanoo get the sword from the Eight-Headed Dragon’s tail? Why is Hercules mucking out all that dung from those stables? Why do Set and Osiris never hang out anymore? What is Loki doing with that goat? Mythology is a fundamental feature of all human societies: past, present, and certainly future. Myths are our shared dreams; and like dreams, whether they are true or not is the least interesting thing about them. They can be light, dark, long, short, noble, silly, uplifting, heartbreaking, and everything in between. This class explores myths from around the world and asks why they still matter today. We may visit the gods, heroes, and monsters of Greece, Egypt, Scandinavia, India, China, Japan, Australia, Mexico, New E

Pastoral Mode, and hone their comparative literature skills through analytical writing practice that will culminate in a creative video-essay project at the end of the term that blends knowledge of the Pastoral with analysis of some manifestation of cottage-core (be that fashion, a TikTok microtrend, goat yoga, or a familiar Netflix show).

Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit

DYSTOPIAN FICTION

What makes a piece of literature “dystopian”? How does dystopian literature serve as social critique? In this course we will consider these questions and identify strategies that writers use to build their fictional worlds. We’ll assess the genre’s uses and limitations by analyzing dystopian narratives that interrogate power and explore civic responsibility in these worlds gone wrong, so we can begin to consider how these stories help us think through our own world. We will critically engage with a short fiction by Ursula Le Guin and N.K. Jemisin, as well as novels such as Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale (1985) and The Dream Hotel (2025) by Laila Lalaimi. Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit

PLAYWRITING

This playwriting course is an invitation to adventure, the kind that begins with curiosity and leads you into the vivid, alive, and active art of storytelling for the stage. We’ll explore how stories live in bodies, voices, conflict, and time, and how writing for performance asks us to think differently than writing for the page. The class is structured around weekly writing workshops where you’ll generate new work and take creative risks in a supportive, collaborative environment. You’ll hear your scenes aloud through table reads, gaining insight into how language, action, and silence land in real time. Alongside your own writing, we’ll engage with published plays and watch recorded performances to see how playwrights across styles and eras bring stories to life. Throughout the course, we’ll return to Marsha Norman’s reminder that “what we are doing when we write for the stage is telling stories people need to see.” Together, we’ll practice placing those theatrical “stop signs,” moments that ask an audience to pause, look around, and truly see.

Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit

HAUNTINGS: MODERN LITERARY GHOSTS

Emily Dickinson wrote, “One need not be a chamber to be haunted.” Whether a specter haunts a person or a place, what does this situation suggest about the hold of the past on the present? What is the relation between the dead and our memories of them? And, what place do ghosts have in the rationalist, modern world? In this class, students will investigate the figure of the ghost as a metaphor for the lingering effects of past histories, both personal and social. To that end, students will gain command of analytical vocabularies for formal, psychological, and cultural analysis. Students will explore a range of texts and films, which may include works by Shirley Jackson, Henry James, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Helen Oyeyemi, and Mati Diop. Assessments will include critical analysis and a creative project: a ghost story set at Westover based on research done in the Westover archives.

Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit

IN THE SHADOW OF GIRLHOOD: ADOLESCENCE IN IRISH LITERATURE

In this course, we will explore coming-of-age stories set in Ireland, focusing on how adolescence is shaped by gender, sexuality, class, friendship, and silence. Through critical engagement with novels such as Edna O’Brien’s The Country Girls (1960), Louise O’Neill’s Asking for It (2015), and Tana French’s The Secret Place (2014), students will examine how young people navigate desire, reputation, violence, and belonging in tightly knit communities. Along the way, students will engage with larger questions: Who gets believed? Who gets protected? How do institutions (schools, families, churches, and peer groups) shape teenage identity? Through close reading, discussion, and analytical and creative writing, students will consider how literature captures the vulnerability and power of adolescence, and why stories about Irish teenagers continue to resonate far beyond their specific cultural setting. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

THE AMERICAN MUSICAL: FROM TAP SHOES TO PROTEST SIGNS

The American musical is more than entertainment, it’s a powerful storytelling form that reflects who we are and who we’ve been. In this course, we’ll explore the origins, evolution, and global influence of the American musical, tracing how it developed alongside major political, social, and cultural changes in the United States from the twentieth century to today. Through close reading, discussion, and performance-based analysis, we’ll examine how landmark musicals respond to issues such as race, gender, class, immigration, and national identity, and how these works, in turn, have shaped the way audiences understand themselves and their society From the optimism of Oklahoma! to the urgency of Rent to risking that an audience would sit through a musical about American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, the course highlights the musical as both an artistic innovation and a cultural mirror. No prior musical theatre experience is required, just curiosity, openness, and a willingness to think critically about how stories are told through song, movement, and performance. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

ESSAYING EARTH

Essay means both a kind of writing, and “to try ” This class, then, is about trying to understand our relationship to the Earth through writing. That requires both writing about the Earth, and writing about ourselves. Around 1930, the Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci wrote from his cell in a Fascist prison, “The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born.” We are living through a dramatic era in which humankind must face the ecological consequences of our collective deeds. In many ways, centuries of writing lead us into these problems, shaping cultures which saw humans as separate from and adversarial to Earth. We must now essay to help birth the coming new world. This is a class about ecology, about society, about technology, about homo sapiens, about deep time, and about life itself. We will study not only essays, but creative nonfiction, documentaries, and journalism that confronts us with the state of the Earth today, reveals how we got here, and asks how we will go forward Will we meet this time with wisdom, or folly?

Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

THE ART OF INVESTIGATION: MYSTERY NOVELS

As industrialization boomed in 19th century England and workers moved in droves into the city, people found themselves surrounded by unfamiliar strangers and began to look upon them and wonder what secrets might exist in their private lives…. In this literature class, we will explore our human compulsion to engage with mystery through the pioneering detective mystery stories of Sherlock Holmes, The Moonstone, and The Murders in Rue Morgue. Students will explore underlying movements in Late 19th-Century England, hone their analytical abilities, and sharpen their clear, concise writing skills Then, time permitting, we will dive into some Agatha Christie. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

LITERATURE AFTER EMPIRE

How does one write after colonialism? The decolonization of former European colonies required formerly subjected peoples to grapple with the aftermath of colonial rule politically, economically, culturally, and imaginatively. Focusing on the legacies of English colonialism and thus English literature and language we will explore the way in which postcolonial writers have engaged with themes of identity, power, and cultural resilience. Taking our cue from Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s concept of “decolonizing the mind,” we will examine the linguistic and literary challenges writers face in their quest for self-representation. We will read a variety of stories, novels, poems, and essays from former British colonies in the Caribbean and Africa. Through critical analysis and comparison, we’ll gain a deeper appreciation of the diversity of voices expanding the English literary canon in the wake of Empire. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

LOUD ENOUGH TO MATTER: VOICE, TRUTH, & THE ART OF THE STORY

“Authenticity wins over approval every time.” This literature course is an exploration of storytelling as a spoken, living art, shaped by the traditions of The Moth, spoken word poetry, and performance-based narrative. We’ll investigate how stories change when they move from the page to the voice, and how breath, rhythm, timing, and presence transform meaning. Through watching and analyzing performances by storytellers, spoken word artists, comedians, and TedTalks, students will study how personal truth and craft meet in front of an audience. The course draws on Matthew Dicks’s Storyworthy to explore structure, stakes, and finding the moments that matter most. Alongside this, Nikki Giovanni’s The New Book: Poems, Letters, Blurbs, and Things will guide us in thinking about voice, honesty, and the power of language spoken aloud. By the end of the course, students will have developed a deeper understanding of oral storytelling and greater confidence in discovering and sharing their own unique narrative voice.

Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

READING THE RUSSIANS

Nineteenth century Russian writers like Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Chekhov offer acute insight into character, moral psychology, and the struggle of the individual in the face of powerful social and historical pressures. As a result, these authors have had a lasting influence globally on writers of fiction in the 20th and 21st centuries. This course will focus on a reading of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment as well as a selection of shorter fiction by Leo Tolstoy and Anton Chekhov to explore themes of the freedom of self in society, fate and free will, love, morality, and forgiveness. While we will pay some attention to the historical context from which these authors emerged, we will also explore the importance of their ideas for our time. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

COURSE LISTINGS History

History

The History program at Westover provides students with a sturdy foundation and path for embodying Westover’s motto, “To Think, To Do, To Be,” while providing deep and meaningful exploration of the sentiments in the school’s Vision for Belonging and Justice. Each course centers on evidence-based argumentation and communication, particularly in writing, and the Historical Thinking Skills outlined by the American Historical Association, which include historical analysis, interpretation, and research skills. To satisfy graduation requirements, each student will earn three credits in History, with Historical Inquiry in the Ninth Grade, World History in the Tenth Grade, and US History or AP US History in the Eleventh Grade. The department also offers a range of electives, including APs, for students wishing to deepen their historical understandings further.

HISTORICAL INQUIRY

This full-year course welcomes all 9th-grade students by helping them discover that every student is a “History kid” by teaching them how to utilize historical thinking skills analysis, argumentation, research, and communication and news literacy to enhance understanding across disciplines and daily life. Students will explore interdisciplinary case studies from the global to the hyper-local, including the history of Westover They will practice oral history to connect with one another and their community, investigate overlooked historical perspectives, and explore how social movements arise. This course emphasizes student voice and choice, offering opportunities for learners to dig deeper into topics, figures, or disciplines of particular interest to them. Full Year | 1 Credit

WORLD HISTORY

This required course invites students to explore the themes and histories of our interconnected world through case studies and student-driven projects, focusing on how collective learning and global interactions have shaped human history. The course begins around 1500, when humans first began interacting on a global scale, and includes units on the Columbian Exchange, Enlightenment Revolutions, genocides and international responses, and decolonization movements Students will develop historical thinking skills by analyzing primary and secondary sources, constructing evidence-based arguments, pursuing projects tailored to their interests, and collaborating with peers. They will refine their skills in argumentation, writing, and communication, increase their familiarity with global geography, and apply critical thinking to understand complex historical and contemporary issues. By connecting content and skills, this course helps students gain the skills, historical knowledge, and perspective needed to navigate the complexities of the past, present, and future. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: Historical Inquiry (or one year of high school history

school)

U.S. HISTORY

This course (or AP US History, see requirements in relevant course description) is the culminating course in the required sequence. It invites students to explore the themes and histories of the people of North America through a combination of chronological and thematic inquiry. Course units examine essential questions related to the tensions in American history between promises of inclusion and patterns of exclusion; the rights of individuals and attempts to create social order; anti-imperial foundations and expansionist tendencies; and the defined structures of government and the more complex realities of government’s operations. Building on work in earlier courses, students will continue developing historical thinking skills by analyzing primary and secondary sources, constructing evidence-based arguments, engaging in projects tailored to their interests, and participating in collaborative activities They will also continue refining their skills in argumentation, writing, and communication while increasing their familiarity with different types of evidence and applying critical thinking to understand complex historical and contemporary issues. This course will help students gain skills and historical knowledge that will aid them in navigating the complexities of the past, present, and future while also refining their understanding of their positionality in America. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: Historical Inquiry (or other 9th-grade history course from previous school), World History

AP® U.S. HISTORY

This full-year, intensive course which can meet the US History requirement for eligible students surveys and analyzes significant events and issues in U.S. history from precolonial civilizations through the present day. Students will be expected to undertake a college-level workload as they continue developing their analytical reading, writing, and argumentation skills while deepening their understanding of major themes in America’s social, political, economic, and cultural history. They will work extensively with primary sources and scholarly texts. Students in this course are required to take the Advanced Placement exam; the cost of the exam is approximately $100. Full Year | 1 Credit | Open to 11th and 12th grade students only | Returning students: A- or higher in their most recent history course (including AP). New students must pass an in-person written assessment. Any appeals include an in-person written assessment.

U.S. POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

The inner workings of the US political system can seem confusing, unpredictable, or simply odd to many people living or working in this country. The content of this course will provide historical background but will primarily focus on current issues and current events, including engaging deeply with the elections and contemporary social movements in real time. This class illuminates the theories behind the design of the US government and then delves into the messy realities of how and why the government works the way it does. We will also consider questions about the changing character of political parties, how voters make their decisions, what factors influence the outcomes of elections, how activist groups can influence laws, the evolution of civil rights and liberties, and how US democracy compares to other democracies. Through a Mock Congress project, students will conduct research to engage in current policy debates. As students engage more meaningfully with current events in their senior year, this course provides necessary background to understand the workings of the US political system, and it also provides students a forum in which to articulate their own viewpoints. Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit

History Courses

NEWS DECODER

This class addresses our changing news media landscape and how it came to be. Students will learn foundational concepts in media theory, and apply them across a combination of case studies and individual problem-based learning projects. Students will investigate the history of various topics by delving into a specific historical event as it was reported in its own time and comparing it to how it is reflected upon today. In identifying similarities and differences, students will begin asking questions about the creation of knowledge and stories. All of this will build their media literacy, analytical prowess, and critical thinking skills. Building on the foundation of the required History courses, will interrogate primary and secondary sources, construct evidence-based arguments, engage in projects tailored to their interests, and participate in collaborative activities. They will also refine their skills in argumentation, writing, and communication. Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit

FILM AND SOCIAL CHANGE

What power do movies have? How do they shape the world we live in? The rise of the movie industry parallels historical transformations of the 20th century that disrupted longestablished hierarchies of gender, race, age, and class. In this class, we will examine the extent to which movies may have influenced these social changes, and vice versa, from the 1890s to the present. We will watch films of both the past and the present, analyzing them in context of discussions of their time surrounding civil rights, feminism, and American identity. Critically analyzing film as a unique kind of historical document, students will also build skills of primary source analysis and contextualization. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

AGE OF FRACTURE: AMERICAN HISTORY SINCE 1974

This class will examine social, cultural, political, and international trends and the patterns of continuity and change after 1968 that led to where we are today. Topics studied include multiculturalism, the effects of the digital revolution, the rise of conservatism, and America's changing role in the world after the end of the Cold War. In studying the recent past, students will also learn techniques of oral history, culminating in an oral history research project. As students in their senior year engage with current events, this course helps them meaningfully contextualize what they hear about in the news and understand it with greater depth. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY

This course surveys the history of North America’s native peoples from the Neolithic period to the present. More than just a history of the United States with attention to how European or American actions affected native peoples, this course re-envisions the history of the Americas from a native perspective, putting familiar events such as the American Revolution or US Civil War into radically new contexts. Through in-depth analysis of native political arrangements, social systems, interactions with the environment, and forms of cultural adaptation and resilience, students will be able to rewrite the history of North America in ways that challenge the imperialist narratives of previous histories. Students also learn how to analyze artifacts, read historical documents critically, and engage meaningfully in historical debates. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

RESEARCH & ACTION: UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS FROM NEW ORLEANS

TO CONNECTICUT

Research & Action is an inquiry-based, experiential course for students ready to dive deep into a pressing, real-world issue they care about. Using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a guiding framework, students will investigate challenges and solutions connected to sustainability, equity, and community well-being Through a focused case study on New Orleans, students will explore how history, environment, policy, and culture intersect in one city’s ongoing work around resilience and justice. Students will conduct original research, connect their findings to real-world contexts, and design a project aimed at creating tangible impact. Working with community partners and local stakeholders when possible, students will develop and implement a social action plan and present their work publicly at the end of the course. This course is designed for students with interest or experience in social or environmental justice who are ready to undertake self-directed, project-based work. This course dovetails with a new, application-based Rasin Center Experiential Learning Travel Program to The Bayou and New Orleans region (Spring Break 2027). These offerings can be standalone, but are designed to be complementary Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

AP® HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

AP Human Geography is the study of where people & ideas are, why they are there, and most importantly, why that matters. Students will systematically study the patterns and processes that have shaped our understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students will employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. They will also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice. This course uses a college textbook and is rigorous and fast-paced. It also requires extensive reading and writing. Students in this course are required to take the Advanced Placement exam; the cost of the exam is approximately $100. Full Year | 1 Credit | Returning students: A- or higher in the most recent history course, or B or higher in AP US History. New students must pass an inperson written assessment. Any appeals include an in-person written assessment.

The following courses will not be offered during the 2026-27 academic year but are part of our rotating curriculum and will be available in future years. These courses run on an alternating schedule to provide a diverse range of learning opportunities while maintaining a balanced course selection each year While they are listed below, full course descriptions of the courses below are not included in this guide. Please consult with the Academic Office or History Department Head for more information on future availability.

AP Comparative Government

AP US Government and Politics

Archival Studies

International Issues

News Decoder

Social Animals? Community in the

21st Century

US Supreme Court

Women & the American Story

COURSE LISTINGS Languages

Languages

The Language Department offers course sequences from the introductory to the fifth year levels in French, Latin, and Spanish. Level placement is determined by the Language Placement Test and the teacher information form for all new students. Each student is required to successfully complete Westover’s third-level course in one of these languages in order to graduate, though students are encouraged, if eligible, to pursue the study of their chosen language beyond the requirement or to begin the study of a second language upon meeting that requirement. Students for whom English is a language other than their primary language are generally exempt from this requirement. Courses that are undersubscribed may be offered concurrently with other courses

Language Courses

FRENCH I

In this introductory course, students will learn the basic communicative functions as well as the basic structures of the French language. Grammar lessons will be reinforced with photos and images, skits, and physical response exercises. Students will also be exposed to cultural aspects of the French-speaking world through songs, video excerpts, and short articles. Classes are conducted in French.

Full Year | 1 Credit

NOTE: Each student is required to successfully complete Westover’s third-level course in one of these languages in order to graduate Students for whom English is not their primary language are generally exempt from this requirement.

FRENCH III

FRENCH II

Students will continue to develop grammatical and speaking skills in this second-year course, with an increased emphasis on writing. Some basic grammatical lessons will be supplemented with more advanced material according to the needs and interests of the class.

Students will experience French culture through songs, skits, film, and the use of the Internet. Active participation in class discussions and exercises is essential. Classes are conducted in French. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisite: French I

Students will continue to hone skills in grammar, speaking, and listening in this third-year course, with an increased emphasis on developing advanced reading and writing skills. As in previous courses, students will be expected to apply these skills in communicative activities in the classroom. Basic grammar lessons will be supplemented with images and videos, skits, and use of the Internet. Students will be exposed to culture through short stories, periodical articles, and films, thus improving their vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. This class will be taught solely in French. Active participation is essential. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisite: French II

FRENCH IV

Throughout French IV, students will broaden their knowledge of Francophone cultures and continue to improve speaking and writing skills. Topics include the environment, education, arts, travel, technology, women in French society, and current events. Through ongoing grammar review, students will strengthen reading, writing, and speaking skills. The course also includes Francophone films and literary excerpts, helping students develop a deeper appreciation of French and Francophone cultures

Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisite: French III

Language Courses

FRENCH V

This course is designed to help students expand on the French they already know while developing more accurate and complex language skills. In the fall, students will discover modern Francophone literature from Africa and North Africa, reading novels from the Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal, and Morocco by authors such as Camara Laye, Véronique Tadjo, Fatou Diome, and Taha Ben Jelloun. Readings will be enriched with films and video excerpts. In the spring, the class turns its attention to the French Riviera and the works of Marcel Pagnol. Through his novels Marius, Jean de Florette, and Manon des Sources, students will analyze both written texts and film adaptations. Throughout the year, students will sharpen their speaking and writing skills. If you enjoy reading, watching films, and sharing ideas, this course is for you Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisite: French IV

SPANISH I

In this introductory course, students will focus on developing the four language skills: writing, reading, listening, and speaking. Students will learn the essential communicative functions, as well as primary language patterns and vocabulary. Each lesson introduces new vocabulary and grammar concepts, with listening comprehension, cultural readings, and writing activities reinforcing grammar and vocabulary. They will also be introduced to the cultural aspects of Spanish-speaking countries. Classes are conducted primarily in Spanish. Full Year | 1 Credit

SPANISH II

Students will expand their vocabulary and language concepts. They will increase their listening comprehension and be able to read short passages more fully. Each lesson introduces new vocabulary and grammar concepts, with listening comprehension, cultural readings, and writing activities reinforcing vocabulary and concepts. Students are further exposed to Spanish-speaking culture through all materials and resources. Classes are conducted primarily in Spanish. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisite: Spanish I

SPANISH III

This course extends the study of basic patterns, concentrating on the more complex aspects of Spanish grammar and expanding vocabulary. The focus is on the continued improvement of comprehending spoken and written material and augmenting speaking and writing skills. Students practice their listening and speaking skills by interacting with their instructor and classmates through varied activities. The complexity of the readings gradually increases over the year. Various websites are introduced to aid students in their preparation and study outside of class. As the year progresses, increased emphasis is placed on the student's proficiency in speaking Spanish. Classes are conducted in Spanish. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisite: Spanish II

Language Courses

HONORS SPANISH III

Similar to Spanish III, this course extends the study of basic patterns, concentrating on the more complex aspects of Spanish grammar. Concepts are covered in depth and reinforced by various discussion-based activities. Literary and cultural readings are used for class discussion and writing assignments, allowing students to consolidate their knowledge through the active use of the language The course also offers increased exposure to Hispanic history and culture through films and Internet resources. As the year progresses, increased emphasis is placed on oral proficiency. Classes are conducted in Spanish. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisite: Spanish II and permission of the Language Department

SPANISH IV/V: COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE

This course is designed for students who wish to increase their Spanish skills and gain proficiency in communication. Students will acquire new vocabulary and review grammar usage in context through readings, movies, documentaries, and more. Various cultural topics from the Spanish-speaking world will also be shared to enhance comprehension. Several student-centered projects are assigned, requiring the students to demonstrate their language skills. Classes are conducted in Spanish, and participation in class discussions is essential. Fall Semester and/or Spring Semester | 0.5 Credits per semester | Prerequisite: Spanish III

HONORS SPANISH IV

Building on prior study of the Spanish language and associated cultures, this upper-level course aims to provide a thorough review of all grammar structures, an expansion of vocabulary, a general insight into Spanish literature, and an increased proficiency in communicating and understanding Spanish. Various projects will be assigned throughout the year to enhance students' confidence and comfort in Spanish All students will be expected to use Spanish in this course. Classes are conducted entirely in Spanish. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisite: Spanish III or Honors III and permission of the Language Dept.

HONORS SPANISH V

This course is designed to challenge students with a strong background in the Spanish language. Through the study of authentic materials (print, audio, audio-visual, etc.), students will develop their language proficiency, cross-cultural competency, and expand their knowledge of products, practices, and perspectives that represent a variety of Hispanic cultures. Students will develop and complete various hands-on projects that connect with their experience in the community and world. Students will engage in daily discussions exclusively in the target language and produce written and spoken communication on a variety of topics. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisite: Spanish IV or Honors Spanish IV and permission of the Language Department.

LATIN I

This course offers an introduction to the elements of Latin grammar, syntax, and vocabulary as tools for reading the language. Students will also explore the history of Rome, classical mythology, and the Latin roots of English words. Composition and introductory oral communication are used to reinforce the grammatical concepts of the course. Elements of Roman culture and society are presented through Latin passages and supplemented with English readings. Attention is given not just to the lives of wealthy Romans in positions of power, but to the wide diversity of those who contributed to Roman civilization. Full Year | 1 Credit

LATIN II

After reviewing the material learned in Latin I, students continue the study of Latin vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. As the readings become more complex, the stories become richer and more vibrant. As in Latin I, students will pay steady attention to the Latin origins of English words, as well as to the structural differences between the two languages, as a way of developing a deeper understanding and appreciation of both.

Continued exploration of the historical and cultural context of our readings will broaden students’ awareness of the connections between those contexts and our own

Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisite: Latin I

Language Courses

LATIN III

This course, structured as two distinct units which may vary from year to year, provides an opportunity for students to explore topics and genres in a focused and in-depth manner. In the fall semester of 2026-2027, students will, after completing the vast majority of the foundations of Latin grammar, expand and apply their knowledge to write original pieces of Latin prose. In the spring semester, which will focus on love and hatred in Ancient Rome, students will read the poetry of Catullus and Ovid. Through the study of these elegiac poets, students will gain an appreciation for the timeless struggle between these two emotions. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisite: Latin II

LATIN IV

This course offers students the opportunity to read masterpieces of Latin poetry alongside some of the most compelling works of Latin prose. Students will read closely, paying careful attention to meter, rhetoric, grammar, and syntax while exploring the ideas that animate these texts. Along the way, students will consider enduring questions: What makes a hero? How do people respond to war, power, and change? What do loyalty, friendship, and family demand of us? How do love, ambition, and anger shape human decisions? What does fate mean, and how much control do we really have over our own destinies? Primary readings will vary from year to year and may include selections from authors such as Cicero, Ovid, Vergil, Livy, Julius Caesar, Phaedrus, Horace, and Juvenal. Students will also have opportunities to study authors and passages that align with their interests, strengths, and goals. Full Year or One Semester | 1 Credit or 0.5 Credit | Prerequisite: Latin III

The following courses will not be offered during the 2026-27 academic year but are part of our rotating curriculum and will be available in future years. These courses run on an alternating schedule to provide a diverse range of learning opportunities while maintaining a balanced course selection each year. While they are listed below, full course descriptions of the courses below are not included in this guide. Please consult with the Academic Office or Language Department Head for more information on future availability.

Spanish IV/V Connections

COURSE LISTINGS Mathematics

Mathematics

The mathematics program at Westover offers a comprehensive sequence of courses ranging from Algebra I through Multivariable Calculus. Additional courses are available to accommodate the diverse interests and needs of students, such as Statistics and Personal Finance. Most courses are offered at three ability levels to better support individual learning styles and academic goals.

Student-centered instructional methods are emphasized, with a focus on developing students’ ability to communicate mathematical concepts both verbally and through the use of clear, precise, and accurate mathematical notation All classrooms are equipped with wall-to-wall boards that enable students to work individually and collaboratively, promoting active engagement and ownership of the learning process. Technology plays an essential role in all mathematics courses. Entering students are introduced to the use of graphing calculators and Desmos, which becomes increasingly important in upper-level classes. All mathematics courses require the use of a TI-84 graphing calculator (any edition).

Three credits of mathematics are required for graduation. The Mathematics Department generally does not award credit for courses taken at other institutions or through private tutoring while a student is enrolled at Westover. Prior approval from both the Mathematics Department and the Academic Office must be obtained before enrollment in any external course.

Mathematics Courses

ALGEBRA I

Algebra I provides students with a strong foundation for all future mathematics courses. Students study the fundamental concepts of algebra, including solving equations and inequalities, expressions, linear and quadratic functions, systems of equations and inequalities, exponents, polynomials. Emphasis is placed on developing problem-solving skills, algebraic reasoning, and the ability to represent relationships using equations, graphs, and tables, including the sketching and interpretation of linear graphs. Full Year | 1 Credit

GEOMETRY

This course covers all major topics of a traditional geometry curriculum, including reasoning and proof, congruence, similarity, coordinate geometry, and three-dimensional figures. Throughout the year, students strengthen their algebraic skills through an integrated and ongoing review that connects algebraic techniques to geometric concepts. Emphasis is placed on logical reasoning, problem solving, and clear mathematical communication. Students who successfully complete this course will advance to Intermediate Algebra, Algebra II or Honors Algebra II, based on performance and departmental recommendation. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: Placement determined by department

HONORS GEOMETRY

This course covers all major topics of a traditional honors-level geometry curriculum, including proof, congruence, similarity, coordinate geometry, and three-dimensional reasoning, while also strengthening students’ algebraic skills through challenging, multistep problem solving. Throughout the year, students are expected to apply algebra to geometric situations and to communicate their mathematical reasoning clearly and precisely. Students who successfully complete this course will advance to either Algebra II or Honors Algebra II, depending on performance and departmental recommendation. The honors track features more rigorous problem sets and a faster instructional pace. Full Year | 1 Credit | Placement determined by department after first midterm grading period

INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA

A bridge course designed to prepare students for the rigor of Algebra II by strengthening their understanding of functions, equations, and mathematical relationships. Students develop deeper fluency with linear, quadratic, and exponential models through graphing, symbolic manipulation, and real-world applications. Emphasis is placed on making connections between equations, graphs, and verbal descriptions so that students build both confidence and conceptual understanding before moving on to advanced algebra. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: Algebra I, Geometry

ALGEBRA II

Algebra II is a course designed to prepare students for PreCalculus. Topics covered include analytical and graphical approaches to linear relations, systems of equations, inequalities, powers, roots, quadratic equations, polynomial and rational functions, logarithms, and introductory trigonometry. Emphasis is placed on problem solving, mathematical reasoning, and written mathematical justification. Real-world applications are used throughout the course to motivate and deepen students’ understanding of algebraic concepts. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: Algebra I, Geometry

HONORS ALGEBRA II

A course in algebra that covers standard second year algebraic topics at an accelerated pace. In addition, advanced topics of algebra are studied and an introduction to precalculus and functional trigonometry is given. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: Algebra I, Geometry or Honors Geometry

HONORS ALGEBRA II ACCELERATED

This course is a challenging and fast-paced program designed for highly motivated and mathematically talented students. This course provides an in-depth exploration of advanced algebraic concepts while emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical reasoning Students will engage with a wide array of topics, including advanced linear and quadratic functions, polynomial functions, rational expressions, exponential and logarithmic functions, complex numbers, and systems of equations. The curriculum includes trigonometric functions, matrices, and determinants. Concepts are covered at an accelerated pace and with greater depth than the Honors Algebra II. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: Algebra I, Honors Geometry

PRE-CALCULUS

This course reinforces and extends students’ understanding of elementary functions while introducing advanced function properties that prepare them for calculus. Topics include trigonometric functions, parametric equations, and their applications. Emphasis is placed on visual problem-solving strategies, mathematical reasoning, and logical approaches to word problems. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: Honors Algebra II, Algebra II, or departmental permission

Mathematics Courses

HONORS PRE-CALCULUS

Honors Pre-Calculus

The course focuses on an in-depth study of polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions Students explore these topics through algebraic techniques, graphs, and proofs. The concept of the derivative is introduced through limits, providing a foundation for calculus. Throughout the course, students solve problems algebraically and use graphing calculators to analyze situations both graphically and numerically. If time permits, topics in probability and statistics will also be explored. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: Algebra II, Honors Algebra II, or departmental permission

HONORS PRE-CALCULUS PLUS CALCULUS

A is a full-year, accelerated mathematics course designed to prepare highly motivated and capable students for AP® Calculus BC. The course provides a rigorous and comprehensive treatment of trigonometry and all major pre-calculus topics, including advanced functions, analytic geometry, and mathematical modeling, while also introducing key concepts from calculus such as limits, rates of change, and the foundations of differentiation. Students in this course are expected to work at a faster pace, engage with challenging problem-solving, and demonstrate a high level of mathematical independence. Emphasis is placed on connecting algebraic, graphical, and numerical representations to deepen conceptual understanding and prepare students for the demands of college-level calculus. Students who successfully complete this course are expected to enroll in AP® Calculus BC at Westover in the following year. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: Honors Algebra II and departmental permission

CALCULUS

This is a full-year calculus course designed to cover the major topics of AP Calculus AB, including limits, derivatives, and basic integration, at a pace and depth appropriate for a broader range of students. While the course emphasizes conceptual understanding, problem-solving, and applications, it is taught with less formal rigor than the AP course. Students will develop fluency with algebraic, graphical, and numerical approaches to calculus and apply these skills to real-world and mathematical situations. This course is intended for students who want a strong foundation in calculus but do not plan to take the Advanced Placement exam. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: Pre-Calculus

AP® CALCULUS (AB)

A full-year course equivalent to a first semester college-level calculus course. The curriculum focuses on foundational differential and integral calculus, including limits, continuity, derivatives, and integrals. Emphasis is placed on conceptual understanding, problem solving, and mathematical reasoning through multiple representations graphical, numerical, analytical, and verbal. Students explore big ideas such as modeling change, approximation, accumulation, and the analysis of functions, with real-world applications used to deepen understanding. This course includes one additional class meeting per week in the second semester. Students enrolled in AP Calculus AB are required to take the Advanced Placement examination; the cost of the exam is approximately $100. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: Honors Pre-Calculus

AP® CALCULUS (BC)

A full-year course equivalent to both the first and second semesters of college-level calculus. The curriculum includes all topics from AP Calculus AB, as well as additional topics such as advanced integration techniques, parametric and polar functions, vectorvalued functions, sequences and series, and Taylor polynomial approximations. Emphasis is placed on conceptual understanding, problem solving, and mathematical reasoning through multiple representations graphical, numerical, analytical, and verbal. Students explore big ideas such as modeling change, accumulation, and approximation, with realworld applications used to deepen understanding. This course includes one additional class meeting per week in the second semester. Students enrolled in AP Calculus BC are required to take the Advanced Placement examination; the cost of the exam is approximately $100. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: Honors Pre-Calculus and Calculus or AP Calculus AB

Mathematics Courses

MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS

A course designed for the highly motivated student with a special interest in higher mathematics. This course moves at a rigorous pace and covers topics in the calculus of multidimensional spaces, including vector functions, multivariable differentiation, and multivariable integration. This course prepares students for further studies in advanced mathematics and related fields. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: BC Calculus and departmental permission

STATISTICS

This statistics course introduces students to the major concepts involved in organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data in order to draw meaningful conclusions. Students study many of the core topics found in an AP-level statistics curriculum, including data analysis, experimental design, probability, and statistical inference, but at a pace and depth appropriate for a non-AP course. Emphasis is placed on active learning, clear communication, and reasoning from data Students use the statistical features of their graphing calculators to perform computations, create graphical displays, and analyze realworld data sets. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: Pre-Calculus or departmental permission

PERSONAL FINANCE

This is a practical and interactive course designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions throughout their lives. The course covers essential topics such as budgeting, saving, banking, credit management, investing, insurance, taxes, and financial goal-setting. Students will learn how to evaluate financial risks, develop responsible spending habits, and plan for major life expenses such as education, housing, and retirement. Through real-world applications, case studies, and hands-on activities, students will gain the confidence to navigate financial challenges and build a strong financial future. This course emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and personal responsibility in financial decision-making. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisite: Algebra II | This class may not be taken concurrently with another math course

COURSE LISTINGS

Science

The Science Department offers a balanced and varied curriculum of biological and physical sciences. These include year long surveys of the major disciplines as well as semester electives devoted to more specialized topics. To satisfy graduation requirements, each student must complete three full years of science classes, including one full-year of biological science and one full-year of physical science. AP Chemistry and AP Environmental Science will be offered alternating years. AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Biology will be offered annually.

Science Courses

NOTE: To satisfy graduation requirements, each student must complete one full-year of biological science and one full-year of physical science.

BIOLOGY

An introduction to the study of life, tracing its evolution from organic molecules through single-celled organisms to more complex plant and animal forms and their interrelationships with their environment. The course emphasizes structure and functional adaptations to the pressures of survival found in diverse environments. Authentic applications of topics (for example infectious diseases and global food deserts, among others) are included in the curriculum. . In the lab and in the field, quantitative and observational skills are developed alongside the important study skills and habits necessary for the developing independent learner. Full Year | 1 Credit

CHEMISTRY

Chemistry is an introduction to the study of chemical systems. This course includes investigation of the structure of matter, organization of the periodic table, bonding, and nomenclature while providing a basis for performing chemical calculations and examining chemical reactions. This is followed by applications such as nuclear chemistry, gases, solutions, and acids and bases. By being introduced to a diversity of relevant and current scientists and their works, students will learn the important roles chemistry plays in their lives as well as its effect on the environment around them. They will also put the scientific method into practice through regular laboratory experiments that are designed to reinforce principles taught in class and teach a variety of laboratory, experimental, and analytical techniques. Full Year | 1 Credit

HONORS CHEMISTRY

An accelerated study of chemical systems. The structure and properties of atoms, the periodic table, and fundamental types of bonding are introduced early in the course and are followed by more detailed and specialized topics including: chemical reactions, the mole, stoichiometry, the behavior and properties of gases, solutions, thermochemistry, and environmental issues. Scientific problem solving is emphasized, both conceptually and mathematically. Frequent labs reinforce principles encountered in class and teach a variety of laboratory experimental and analytical skills A number of the lab exercises are studentdesigned. Group lab work encourages collaboration, communication, and design-thinking skills. Full Year | 1 Credit | Departmental placement

HONORS PHYSICS

This course examines the fundamental laws of nature, laws which govern the behavior of the matter, energy, space and time comprising our universe. Topics include Newtonian mechanics, wave mechanics, electricity, magnetism, light and some aspects of modern physics including relativity and quantum mechanics. These concepts will be developed thoroughly through algebraic and trigonometric mathematical analysis. Emphasis will also be placed on the historical development of scientific thought and on the impact which the study of physics has had on the way we see the world. Labs will explore and extend the concepts introduced in class. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisite: 1 year of lab science and concurrent Honors Pre-Calculus or higher

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY 1

The study of the human body is not only fascinating but is also incredibly important to our own health and wellness Understanding the intricate physiological balance of our own biological mechanisms begins at the cellular level and encompasses each organ system of our anatomy. In Anatomy & Physiology 1, we will explore that homeostatic balance, the feedback mechanisms at play, and several of the body systems including the Integumentary, Musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular, and Respiratory systems. Through an analysis of structures, function and diseases of these systems, we will investigate advances in medical treatments and discuss the challenges of equity in health and wellness. Through studying one’s own anatomy & physiology, students will gain the scientific knowledge and confidence to ask informed questions, challenge misinformation, and advocate for yourself and others. Fall semester | 0.5 Credit | Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry

Note: Students do NOT have to take the Anatomy and Physiology 2 course. Each Anatomy and Physiology course may be taken independently.

CHEMISTRY IN THE ARTS

“Chemistry: that most excellent child of intellect and art.” (Cyril Norman Hinshelwood). In this course, students will explore the relationship between chemistry and art through a wide array of art forms, including painting, photography, ceramics, printmaking, and more Explorations will include the study of color, the creation of paints, learning various chemical processes involved in the development of photographic film, studying a variety of properties of clays, as well as testing varying conditions and their effects on glazes, and so forth. Consisting of a combination of lecture, laboratory experiments, and activities, students will learn about and examine processes and materials used in the creation of art. Fall semester | 0.5 Credit | Prerequisite: Biology

Science Courses

HYDROLOGY

This course will focus primarily on hydrology, the study of how water moves in our environment, and limnology, the study of freshwater systems. Hydrologic engineering relates to the flow and treatment of water. Students will conduct experiments and carry out field projects on water chemistry and watershed dynamics -- including the study of watershed delineation as revealed in maps, water flow in local streams as directly measured, and the effects of land use on surface and groundwater. Students will also examine interactions between humans and water, how it has been used and misused over the centuries as well as how it has been depicted and imagined by writers and environmentalists. Topics of study will include the development of New England mill towns, Thoreau’s Walden Pond, Edward Abbey’s writings on the red-rock desert country of the American Southwest, John McPhee’s study of the Atchafalaya River basin, and the Flint water crisis. Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit | Prerequisites: Creative Problem Solving, Engineering Design, and Chemistry | Cross-listed with WISE

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY 2

Our organ systems are in constant communication through a powerful interconnected network that sustains life, protects the body, and shapes human development In this class, we will explore several systems that work to maintain homeostasis by constantly monitoring, responding to, and communicating changes within the internal and external environment, while also focusing on the diseases and equitable access to health & wellness that are associated with them. By studying the Nervous, Immune, Digestive, Excretory, and Reproductive systems, we will uncover how the body maintains balance through complex signaling, defense, nourishment, and regulation. From how the brain communicates with the gut to how the immune system protects reproductive health, this course examines the remarkable connections between several systems that influence nearly every aspect of daily life. Spring semester | 0.5 Credit | Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry. Note: Students do NOT have to take the Anatomy and Physiology 1 course as a prerequisite for this class. It may be taken independently.

Science Courses

ASTRONOMY: EXPLORING THE COSMOS

Looking up at the night sky, perhaps you’ve wondered: what are the stars made of, what exactly are galaxies, or what is the history of our universe? In this course, we will explore celestial bodies, cosmic phenomena, and the fundamental principles that govern the cosmos as we learn about our solar system and the mysteries of space. There will be discussions, hand-on activities, as well as a few required evening observational astronomy labs using the telescope and observatory tower at Westover. Join this class if you’d like to embark on a journey to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos and expand your understanding of the universe. Spring semester | 0.5 Credit | Prerequisites: Biology, and concurrent enrollment or completion of Algebra II

GEOLOGY

A study of the Earth. Only in this past century have we been granted the opportunity to view our planet from afar. This perspective, coupled with our new found understanding of plate tectonics, reveals our Earth as a dynamic, constantly changing sphere. What are the forces within our Earth that are the underlying cause of earthquakes in Nepal, volcanoes in Chile, and mountain building across the globe? We will examine these forces as well as the effects of wind and water as they shape our present landscape. Connecticut’s rich geological history provides us with ample opportunities for field trips, so come ready to get out on the rocks. The course will culminate in a student-designed research and design project based on principles of geology and civil or geotechnical engineering. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit | Prerequisite: concurrent Chemistry or higher | Cross-listed with WISE

AP® BIOLOGY

A course designed for the highly motivated student with a special interest in biology. The course moves at a rigorous pace, building on the foundational knowledge established in a first year biology course. The course dives deep on the topics of evolution, biological systems and their interactions, and energy and homeostasis Reading from a college text, developing independent learning skills, and a strong emphasis on application of knowledge will demand serious attention and organization from the successful student. As with other AP courses, students should expect a significant amount of work outside of regular class time. This may include an additional weekly class session scheduled during Oxford Tutorial. Students in this course are required to take the Advanced Placement exam; the cost of the exam is approximately $100. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: Honors Chemistry (preferred) or Honors Physics and departmental permission

Science Courses

AP® PHYSICS C: MECHANICS

This rigorous calculus-based physics course is designed to challenge students who intend to pursue the physical sciences or engineering at the college level. With a strong emphasis on mathematical problem-solving, students should approach this course as an applied mathematics class, using calculus to explore and solve physical problems. Topics covered include kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion; work, energy, and power; systems of particles and linear momentum; circular motion and rotation; and oscillations and gravitation. Laboratory work, written up using LaTeX, is integrated throughout the course to augment and enhance understanding of these topics. Students in this course are required to take the Advanced Placement exam; the cost of the exam is approximately $100. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: Honors Physics, concurrent enrollment in AP® Calculus (BC preferred) and departmental permission

AP® ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

As the subtle and delicate balance of our planet’s interwoven physical and biological systems becomes better appreciated and understood, so do we humans become more aware of how crucial this balance is to our continued existence. In this interdisciplinary science course we will address and analyze some of the most pressing issues of our time. Though global warming is arguably the “hottest” environmental topic of the century, many others deserve and will receive our attention, including management of depleting resources such as land, water, minerals, and fossil fuels, the steady growth of human population, the increasing demand for decreasing reserves of energy and nutrition, decreasing biological diversity, and increasing pollution of air and water. The hands-on experiments will be diverse, some in the field, others in the lab, some physical, and others with a focus on biology and organisms As in other AP courses, there may be one extra class meeting per week. Students in this course are required to take the Advanced Placement exam; the cost of the exam is approximately $100. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: Biology and either Honors Chemistry or Honors Physics, and departmental permission

The following courses will not be offered during the 2026-27 academic year but are part of our rotating curriculum and will be available in future years. These courses run on an alternating schedule to provide a diverse range of learning opportunities while maintaining a balanced course selection each year. While they are listed below, full course descriptions of the courses below are not included in this guide. Please consult with the Academic Office or Science Department Heads for more information on future availability.

Forensic Science

AP® Chemistry (to be offered in 20272028). Prerequisites: Honors Chemistry and permission of the department.

Food Chemistry

WOMEN IN SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

WOMEN IN SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

WISE

The Women in Science & Engineering (WISE) program at Westover School envisions a future in which young women lead boldly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as ethical innovators and global problem solvers. Through rigorous, hands-on, and student-centered learning experiences, WISE empowers students to think critically, design creatively, and apply computational and engineering practices to real-world challenges. Students engage in authentic research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship that connect STEM learning to social impact and global responsibility.

WISE cultivates curiosity, confidence, and competence by challenging students to ask meaningful questions, design purposeful solutions, analyze evidence, and communicate their ideas with clarity and conviction. Graduates of the program leave prepared not only for advanced study in STEM fields, but to lead lives of consequence– shaping technologies, systems, and communities with integrity, creativity, and courage.

Students who pursue the WISE Distinction (details below) engage in a sustained and intentional pathway of advanced STEM coursework and applied research. By completing six approved WISE credits through a combination of WISE courses, AP Computer Science A, and/or an approved Independent Senior or Research Project students demonstrate depth of study, leadership, and a commitment to innovative problem-solving in STEM

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING

(CPS)

This required course for incoming 9th graders offers an exciting introduction to the fundamentals of applied sciences, engineering, and design principles through hands-on, project-based learning. Designed to support diverse learners, the course combines teamwork, creativity, and personal expression to build meaningful connections between artistic and practical problem-solving. Students are introduced to structured and imaginative approaches to solving complex, real-world problems. Using design thinking, systems thinking, and iterative prototyping, students will work through open-ended challenges that emphasize creativity, collaboration, empathy, and resilience Projects may include rapid design challenges, engineering builds with simple materials, and communityfocused problem solving, helping students develop confidence as innovators and leaders.

Fall and Spring Semesters | 0.5 Credit | 9th grade students only

ENGINEERING FOR CHANGE: DESIGNING A

BETTER WORLD

Formerly titled Engineering Design. This course introduces students to the principles and practices of engineering design through hands-on, project-based learning. Students will explore the iterative engineering design process, from identifying needs to testing and improving prototypes. By engaging with real-world challenges such as reducing CO2 emissions, addressing microplastic pollution, and designing sustainable technologies, students will develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. The course also emphasizes sustainability and innovation, preparing students to tackle global challenges with practical and ethical solutions. Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit Prerequisite: Creative Problem Solving, or new 10th graders

ROBOTICS (FIRST TECH CHALLENGE – FTC)

In this hands-on engineering course, students design, build, program, and iterate competition-ready robots aligned with the FIRST Tech Challenge framework. Students develop skills in mechanical design, electronics, coding, teamwork, and project management while engaging in the full engineering design process. The course emphasizes collaboration, technical communication, and strategic problem-solving in preparation for competitions and showcases. Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit Prerequisite: Creative Problem Solving or departmental approval

PUBLIC HEALTH: EPIDEMIOLOGY

This course introduces students to the science of public health and the study of disease patterns in populations. Students analyze real epidemiological data, explore outbreaks, health disparities, and prevention strategies, and examine how social, environmental, and technological factors influence health outcomes. Projects may include case studies, data visualization, and community health investigations Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit Prerequisite: Creative Problem Solving or departmental approval

3D RENDERING

Students learn digital modeling and 3D rendering techniques used in engineering, architecture, product design, and creative industries. Using industry-standard software, students transform ideas into precise digital models and visualizations. Emphasis is placed on spatial reasoning, iterative design, technical communication, and preparing models for prototyping or fabrication. Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit. Prerequisite: Creative Problem Solving, Engineering for Change or departmental approval.

HYDROLOGY

This course introduces computer science concepts including basic program form, development of algorithms, data types, control structures, and object-oriented design using the Java programming language. Students in this course are required to take the This course will focus primarily on hydrology, the study of how water moves in our environment, and limnology, the study of freshwater systems. Hydrologic engineering relates to the flow and treatment of water. Students will conduct experiments and carry out field projects on water chemistry and watershed dynamics -- including the study of watershed delineation as revealed in maps, water flow in local streams as directly measured, and the effects of land use on surface and groundwater. Students will also examine interactions between humans and water, how it has been used and misused over the centuries as well as how it has been depicted and imagined by writers and environmentalists. Topics of study will include the development of New England mill towns, Thoreau’s Walden Pond, Edward Abbey’s writings on the red-rock desert country of the American Southwest, John McPhee’s study of the Atchafalaya River basin, and the Flint water crisis. Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit | Prerequisites: Creative Problem Solving, Engineering Design, and Chemistry | Cross-listed with Science

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of computer science through handson programming, app development, and an introduction to Java. Using engaging resources like Code.org, students explore core concepts such as problem-solving, algorithms, and software engineering principles. Spring Semester | 0.5 Computer Science WISE Distinction

Credit Prerequisites: Creative Problem Solving or new 10th graders

INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH

Students learn how to design and conduct research across STEM and social-impact contexts. Topics include question development, research ethics, data collection, analysis, and communication of findings. The course prepares students for independent projects, science fairs, capstones, and college-level inquiry. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: Creative Problem Solving or Departmental approval

ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING

In architecture, what is the intersection between design and engineering? What are the building and social systems that make for design? Through a combined approach of structural engineering and the history of architecture, this course explores the purpose of space. Taking a deep dive into political, spiritual, civic, and sustainable structures across time and cultures, students will develop a critical analysis of how buildings mean within original and changing contexts. This exploration will then inform how students apply the basics of structure and physics to their own designs. The course will culminate in the development of a design into an architectural model in collaboration with the American Society of Civil Engineers Analytical and research papers, design proposals, discussions, presentations, a field trip, and hands-on building projects will comprise the learning experience. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit Prerequisite: 3D Rendering | Cross-listed with Arts & Culture

GEOLOGY

A study of the Earth. Only in this past century have we been granted the opportunity to view our planet from afar. This perspective, coupled with our new found understanding of plate tectonics, reveals our Earth as a dynamic, constantly changing sphere. What are the forces within our Earth that are the underlying cause of earthquakes in Nepal, volcanoes in Chile, and mountain building across the globe? We will examine these forces as well as the effects of wind and water as they shape our present landscape. Connecticut’s rich geological history provides us with ample opportunities for field trips, so come ready to get out on the rocks. The course will culminate in a student-designed research and design project based on principles of geology and civil or geotechnical engineering. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit | Prerequisite: Concurrent placement in Chemistry or higher | Crosslisted with Science

AP® COMPUTER SCIENCE A

This course introduces computer science concepts including basic program form, development of algorithms, data types, control structures, and object-oriented design using the Java programming language. Students in this course are required to take the Advanced Placement exam; the cost of the exam is approximately $100 Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: Creative Problem Solving and Engineering for Change or Introduction to Computer Science and departmental approval

PATTERNS, FRACTALS & THE MATHEMATICS OF NATURE

Nature is filled with striking patterns, from branching trees and coastlines to spiraling galaxies. In this exploratory course, students investigate how simple mathematical rules can generate complex and beautiful structures. Through visualizations, simulations, and handson experiments, we explore fractals, recursive patterns, and systems that evolve over time. Students will create computer-generated patterns and model natural phenomena while discovering why some systems are predictable and others surprisingly sensitive to small changes. Explore, create, and discover the hidden mathematics that shapes the world around us. Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit | Prerequisites: Intro to Computer Science or departmental approval, Algebra II

ALGORITHMS AND EFFICIENCY

How do computers solve enormous problems quickly, and why do some approaches work far better than others? In this rigorous course, students explore how algorithms solve mathematical and computational problems and how their efficiency determines what is practically possible. Through programming, experimentation, and mathematical analysis, students compare strategies for tasks such as sorting data, searching large datasets, and optimizing algorithms. Along the way, we investigate growth rates, recursion, and the mathematics behind scalable solutions. This course is designed for highly motivated students interested in mathematics, computer science, and analytical problem solving. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit | Prerequisites: AP Computer Science A, Honors Precalculus

SENIOR CAPSTONE (WISE)

The Senior Capstone is a culminating, student-driven experience in which seniors design, research, and prototype a substantial project aligned with their interests in STEM, innovation, or social impact. Students engage in long-term planning, mentorship, iteration, and reflection, culminating in a public presentation or showcase of their work. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

The following courses will not be offered during the 2026-27 academic year but are part of our rotating curriculum and will be available in future years. These courses run on an alternating schedule to provide a diverse range of learning opportunities while maintaining a balanced course selection each year. While they are listed below, full course descriptions of the courses below are not included in this guide. Please consult with the Academic Office or the Director of WISE for more information on future availability.

Botany: Hydroponic Engineering

WISE Distinction Requirements

To earn the WISE Distinction at graduation, students must complete six (6) approved WISE requirements, with flexibility for individual pathways. Students are encouraged to plan their WISE pathway early to balance academic and project-based learning experiences. For questions and/or approval, contact Director of Women in Science & Engineering (WISE), Ashley Bonet (abonet@westoverschool.org).

Combinations that meet the six-credit requirement may include:

6 individual WISE courses

5 WISE courses, including AP Computer Science A (counts as 2 credits since it is a fullyear course)

5 WISE courses + an approved Independent Senior Project (ISP)* focused on WISE content

5 WISE courses + an approved Independent Research Project (IRP) focused on WISE content

3 WISE courses + AP Computer Science A + an approved ISP* or IRP

5 WISE courses + 3 approved Westover Institutes focused on WISE themes (engineering, sustainability, or AI)

Other equivalent combinations approved by the Director of WISE to reach 6 WISE credits.

*NOTE: Independent Senior Projects in WISE contribute to one distinction experience. Students wishing to conduct their ISP in WISE require department head approval of their junior year.

Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture courses provide the opportunity for a critical study of creative expressions and aesthetic practices in relation to social, political, rhetorical, and historical contexts. Courses explore ways of thinking, creating, believing, communicating, and being in a global, transnational world through a historically grounded approach. They critically engage the visual culture of various parts of the contemporary and historical world through a variety of perspectives and subjects, including art history Students are required to take one course (0.5 credit) in Arts & Culture.

ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING

In architecture, what is the intersection between design and engineering? What are the building and social systems that make for design? Through a combined approach of structural engineering and the history of architecture, this course explores the purpose of space. Taking a deep dive into political, spiritual, civic, and sustainable structures across time and cultures, students will develop a critical analysis of how buildings mean within original and changing contexts. This exploration will then inform how students apply the basics of structure and physics to their own designs. The course will culminate in the development of a design into an architectural model in collaboration with the American Society of Civil Engineers. Analytical and research papers, design proposals, discussions, presentations, a field trip, and hands-on building projects will comprise the learning experience. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit Prerequisite: 3D Rendering| Cross-listed with WISE

SOMSI

The Sonja Osborn Museum Studies Internship offers Westover juniors and seniors the opportunity to deepen their passion for art history through hands-on museum experience. This internship provides an immersive work-study program at Hill-Stead Museum and Westover’s Archives, allowing students to work directly alongside curators and archivists to gain valuable professional experience in museum curation, research, and historical study.

Complementing the work-study program, students engage in deep art historical scholarship through a project and a paper to bring their study of Hill-Stead’s collection and shared history to Westover’s community in an annual symposium. A student may apply for this internship as a rising junior or senior, and must have room in their schedule for their independent study in addition to the required successful completion of an art history course. In order to allow time for students to engage in programming and curatorial work at Hill-Stead Museum, students will participate in an afternoon activity that best accommodates their internship experience on Wednesdays. The intern receives a stipend for their work-study program at Hill-Stead, and academic credit for their independent study. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit | The student intern is required to have successfully completed an art history course prior to applying; Application process required

The following courses will not be offered during the 2026-27 academic year but are part of our rotating curriculum and will be available in future years. While they are listed below, full course descriptions of the courses below are not included in this guide. Please consult with the academic office or department heads for more information on future availability.

Global Indigenous Art

Chicano Art

Re-Imaging the Masterpiece: Contemporary Responses to Western Art

Asian Art and Culture

Global Contemporary Art

Introduction to Film/Score Aesthetics

Women in the Arts

Culture of Display

Art & Activism

VISUALARTS Ceramics

Ceramics

In our ceramics program, students play, explore, take risks, and build connections as they learn how to create ceramic stoneware forms. Students are encouraged to embrace challenges, make mistakes, and creatively problem solve as they explore the ceramic process Classes offer a variety of handbuilding techniques (from pinched, coil and slab) as well as opportunity to throw on the wheel. Whenever possible, ceramics courses are enhanced by field trips and visiting artists, which fosters an engagement with the arts within the school and the broader community.

COIL POTTERY: HANDBUILDING WITH CLAY

Coil pottery is an ancient method of creating ceramic forms by rolling clay into coils to build walls, used by cultures worldwide. In this handbuilding course, students will explore coil-building alongside techniques like kneading, wedging, firing, pinching, slab making, and glazing. They will refine their skills throughout the semester, enhancing their craftsmanship and understanding of clay. Returning students will work at an accelerated pace, creating more complex forms. Students will focus on volume, weight, color, form, and texture while developing contemporary pieces. A museum field trip will inspire ideas for form and decoration, such as carving and glaze techniques. Students will also engage in critique sessions and use sketchbooks to develop their designs before making them in clay.

Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit

SCULPTURAL CERAMICS

In this three-dimensional art course, students will explore the possibilities of clay as a sculptural medium through hands-on projects. They will learn the fundamentals of pinching and expand their approach with additive and subtractive techniques. Newcomers will begin with smaller clay forms, progressing to larger, freestanding sculptures. Returning students will create more complex forms, building on their experience. All students will focus on volume, weight, color, form, and texture while developing contemporary pieces that push creative boundaries.

A visit to the Yale University Art Gallery will provide inspiration from sculptural forms across cultures and periods. No prior experience is required beginners will build a solid foundation, while advanced students will work with greater independence and resourcefulness. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

The following courses will not be offered during the 2026-27 academic year but are part of our rotating curriculum and will be available in future years. While they are listed below, full course descriptions of the courses below are not included in this guide. Please consult with the academic office or department heads for more information on future availability.

Throwing on the Wheel

VISUALARTS Drawing & Painting

Drawing & Painting

The drawing and painting curriculum at Westover centers student choice, connection, artistic growth, and imaginative exploration by developing skills in observational drawing and painting, by exploring creative expression through varied media and source material, by building community through class critique, and by collaborating with visiting artists through the Schumacher Gallery or by experiencing art through field trips to museums Students may re-enroll in select courses at an advanced level.

Drawing & Painting Courses

DRAWING FUNDAMENTALS IN BLACK AND WHITE MEDIA

Learning to draw is a foundational skill in visual art, requiring only simple materials yet offering endless possibilities for expression. This course welcomes all learners beginners will build confidence through fundamental skills, while experienced students refine techniques through advanced challenges. Focusing on representational drawing, students will use black-and-white media to observe and depict the world around them. They will explore techniques such as blind contour, contour line, still life, and self-portraiture, strengthening their ability to see and render forms accurately Projects emphasize essential drawing elements line, shape, light, shadow, texture, shading, proportion, perspective, and composition while encouraging both realism and expressive interpretation. Through hands-on practice and supportive critique, students will refine their skills, develop their artistic voice, and gain technical proficiency in drawing. Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit

PRINTMAKING: ART IN MULTIPLES

In this course, students will explore relief and intaglio printing using our Conrad etching press. Techniques include carving linoleum blocks, etching metal plates, and layering colors to create dynamic compositions. Students will also participate in a brief collaboration with Tom Juvan and the Westover Letterpress on a special project. Designed for all skill levels, this course provides foundational instruction for beginners and advanced projects for experienced students, including those from the Westover Letterpress Collective. By the end of the semester, students will build a diverse print portfolio, ready to share with the school community. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

ART MAKING A DIFFERENCE: DRAWING IN COLOR AND FOUND OBJECTS

This course invites all students to explore how art can inspire social change and personal reflection. The semester begins with mastering colored pencil techniques, including blending, tonal work, and color theory. Students will then participate in the Memory Project, creating portraits for refugee children or those from war-torn areas, fostering empathy and global connections In the second half, students will create self-portraits using found objects, inspired by Brazilian artist Vik Muniz. They will source materials from Westover’s woods, the dump pile, and possibly Waterbury Goodwill, encouraging creativity within a limited budget. By the end, students will have developed technical and imaginative skills and a deeper understanding of how art can transform perspectives and drive positive change. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

Drawing

METHODS IN PAINTING: WATERCOLOR AND GOUACHE TECHNIQUES

This course offers a hands-on exploration of watercolor and gouache, encouraging students to experiment with materials, techniques, and ideas while developing their unique artistic voice Through guided exercises in color theory, color mixing, and tonal painting with a limited palette, students will build essential skills and discover new ways to express themselves. Studio projects will engage students with foundational art principles, fostering creativity, risk-taking, and experimentation. Beginners will focus on mastering color mixing, while advanced students will refine techniques and explore personalized palettes. Designed for all skill levels, the course promotes technical growth and creative exploration through projects and critiques. Students can repeat the course to build on prior experience, tackle more complex assignments, and develop greater independence. The class may also collaborate with visiting artists or visit local art museums for inspiration. By the end, students will demonstrate proficiency in painting techniques, design principles, and creating harmonious color palettes. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

ADVANCED PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT IN DRAWING

The Advanced Portfolio Development in Drawing runs concurrently with the AP Drawing class, meeting in the same block. This program is designed for students who wish to create advanced portfolio work outside the AP curriculum. While the course provides an independent focus, students work alongside AP Drawing students and participate fully in the classroom community through critiques, discussions, and shared feedback.

Offered as either a fall elective or a year-long course, students will set individualized goals, reflect on their artistic progress, and develop their skills through sustained investigation and creative inquiry By the end of the course, students in the Advanced Portfolio Program will have a digital portfolio of their work and a written artist statement articulating their body of work. Additionally, students will exhibit a selection of their artwork in a public school setting as part of the program's culminating experience. Semester Long | 0.5 Credits | Prerequisites: A Westover drawing course and a Westover painting course.

Drawing & Painting Courses

AP® DRAWING

This is an intensive year-long course in dry media drawing for students who have completed a Westover drawing course as well as Painting. While this is an Advanced Placement course in Drawing, any student wishing to work in paint must first apply, at the start of the fall semester, for departmental approval. Students will work independently in their sketchbooks and on drawing projects surrounding a centralized self-chosen theme. As students advance and evolve their ideas and skills they will absorb guidance from the instructor, as well as their peers, through one-on-one conversations and group critique. Developing a written artistic statement will assist students in honing their ideas, finding their artistic voice, and clearly communicating to others their artistic intentions. Mastery of skills, a willingness to take risks and grow from mistakes, pride in craftsmanship, time spent outside of class working in the studio, as well as a willingness to build community within the classroom are components needed for success. The culmination of at least fifteen completed works that reflect a sustained investigation, along with an artist’s statement that is compatible with the body of finished works, will be submitted to the College Board. Students will also be encouraged to exhibit their work at the semester’s end. This course is offered alongside the Advanced Portfolio program. Toward the end of October, students will have the choice to continue the AP course or pursue Advanced Portfolio work. AP fees apply. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: A Westover drawing course and a Westover painting course.

The following courses will not be offered during the 2026-27 academic year but are part of our rotating curriculum and will be available in future years. These courses run on an alternating schedule to provide a diverse range of learning opportunities while maintaining a balanced course selection each year While they are listed below, full course descriptions of the courses below are not included in this guide. Please consult with the academic office or department heads for more information on future availability.

Methods in Painting: Oil and Acrylic Techniques

VISUAL ARTS

Photography & Media Arts

Photography & Media Arts

The Photography and Media Arts program at Westover is designed to nurture confident creative thinking and risk taking while teaching students how to use a remarkable variety of photo imaging and video making equipment. In these courses, students are given the freedom to grow their ideas and express them through a series of images or videos, while being exposed to lens based media from around the world. Our studio is equipped to take students on the journey from traditional photographic darkroom processes to modern digital practices and software. Courses are offered on a yearly rotating basis in order to give students the opportunity to explore a wide range of techniques and to consider different ways of seeing and art making

DARKROOM PHOTOGRAPHY: BLACK AND WHITE

In this hands-on course, you don’t just take pictures, you make them, from start to finish. Learn how to shoot on real black and white film using vintage cameras, then head into the darkroom to develop your own photos using traditional chemistry. You’ll experiment, take creative risks, and explore open-ended projects that challenge you to think differently and see the world in new ways. No filters. No AI. Just you, your camera, and your creativity. Cameras and film are provided, just bring your ideas and get ready to make bold, thoughtprovoking images you can actually hold in your hands. Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit

ADVANCED DARKROOM PHOTOGRAPHY: BLACK AND WHITE

You already know how to shoot and print. Now it’s time to master it. In this advanced-level darkroom class, you’ll push past the basics and start developing your own style. Experiment with technique, refine your eye, and create black and white prints with real depth and intention. This is your space to take creative risks and produce work that feels personal and powerful. You’ll collaborate with and support newer students, join critiques, and take part in discussions, but you’ll also have the freedom to work independently and set ambitious goals for yourself to focus on developing a strong, standout portfolio. More freedom. More depth. Stronger work. Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit | Prerequisites: Darkroom Photography: Black and White

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

What do you care about? Climate change? Identity? Justice? Mental health? In this class, you’ll pick an issue that matters to you and create bold digital images that demand attention. Learn how to shoot with DSLRs, master Photoshop and Lightroom, and experiment with studio lighting and large format printing to make your work look gallery ready. This isn’t about just making pretty pictures, this is about creating images with impact You’ll study groundbreaking artists, push your creative limits, and build a powerful portfolio that shows not just what you can do, but what you stand for. Fall and Spring Semesters | 0.5 Credit

ADVANCED DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Already took Digital Photography? Want to go deeper? This advanced class is for students who want to build stronger skills and create more powerful work. You’ll level up your camera and editing techniques while developing a portfolio that reflects your personal style. You’ll work alongside beginner students in critiques and discussions, but you’ll also have more freedom to work independently developing your own unique portfolio of images. You’ll collaborate with the instructor to set goals and push your artwork to the next level. This is where your photography becomes more intentional, more creative, and more professional. Fall and Spring Semesters | 0.5 Credit | Prerequisites: Digital

Photography

CREATIVE FILMMAKING

Today’s filmmakers use all kinds of tools to tell powerful stories, blending image, sound, and experimentation to create work that feels personal and original. In this course, students will learn how to plan, shoot, and edit short films using both digital and vintage 8mm film cameras and industry-standard editing software. Projects will encourage creative risk-taking and hands-on exploration, including found-footage collages, experimental sound design, and hand developing real movie film. Whether you’re interested in storytelling, music videos, or visually driven experimental work, this class will help you develop both your technical skills and your unique creative voice. Spring Semester | 0.5

Credit

COLOR DARKROOM PHOTOGRAPHY

Color changes everything. It can shift a mood, tell a story, or completely transform the way we see a subject. In this elective you’ll step away from digital and into the darkroom, controlling every stage of the process from camera to final print. Through the use of vintage cameras, hands-on projects, and creative experimentation, you’ll push your technical skills while developing a body of work centered on a theme that matters to you. This course is about seeing differently, taking risks, and discovering how powerful color can be when it’s used with intention. We provide the film and cameras, you bring the creative ideas. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

ADVANCED PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT IN PHOTOGRAPHY

The Advanced Portfolio Program is designed for students who are serious about photography and ready to push their work to the next level. Students in this course will work alongside AP students, but will not submit their portfolio to the College Board. Offered as a fall elective or year-long course, you’ll set personal artistic goals and develop a sustained investigation around ideas that matter to you. Through regular critiques, discussions, and one-on-one feedback, you’ll refine both your technical skills and your creative voice. By the end of the course, you’ll have a polished digital portfolio and a written artist statement that clearly communicates your vision Fall Semester or Full Year |

0.5 Credit for Fall Semester or 1 Credit for Full Year | Prerequisites: 2 photography based electives or a recommendation from the instructor.

AP® 2-D ART AND DESIGN

This class is for students ready to go beyond basics and build a serious, college-level body of work You’ll choose your own theme and explore it all year by experimenting, taking risks, and pushing your photography in new directions to fully engage in the artist practice. You’ll learn advanced editing and get real feedback through group critiques and discussions. By the end of the year, you’ll have a polished portfolio ready to submit to the College Board, and have a stronger creative voice to prove it. Studio gear provided. Bring your ideas. Make them bold. AP fees apply. Full Year | 1 Credit | Prerequisites: 2 photography based electives or a recommendation from the instructor.

The following courses will not be offered during the 2026-27 academic year but are part of our rotating curriculum and will be available in future years. These courses run on an alternating schedule to provide a diverse range of learning opportunities while maintaining a balanced course selection each year. While they are listed below, full course descriptions of the courses below are not included in this guide. Please consult with the academic office or department heads for more information on future availability.

Color Darkroom Photography

Documentary Filmmaking

Large Format Photography

Pixels with Purpose

Video & Animation

Video and Time Arts

Experimental Photography

PERFORMING ARTS

Music | Theatre | Dance

DANCE ENSEMBLE

At Westover, dance is an intellectual, artistic, and physical pursuit that challenges students to think deeply, move with authenticity, and grow courageously. Through diverse coursework, performance opportunities, and master classes, students engage with dance as both a discipline and a creative practice. In an inclusive and supportive community, dancers of all experience levels refine their technique, expand their artistry, and strengthen their sense of purpose. Through collaboration and perseverance, students develop confidence, empathy, and resilience qualities that empower them to be boldly themselves and shape not only their work in the studio, but their lives beyond it.

Dance Ensemble members may take technique classes at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. The core curriculum is ballet and modern with additional classes in composition, jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop. Cross training opportunities are also available in aerobics, strength and stretch, and workshops offered throughout the school year. Each student’s dance schedule is determined by a placement/audition class and by a conference with the Director of Dance. In addition, students are required to perform in several dance performances held throughout the year. Dance Ensemble members are encouraged to develop their own choreographic abilities and are invited to showcase their compositions during our annual spring concert. Full Year | 0.5 Credit

DANCE TEAM

See Dance Ensemble description. In order to perform in the spring dance concert, a student must participate during both the winter and spring seasons Fall or Winter Term | No Academic Credit, Fulfills Performing Arts Experience; Fulfills Athletics Requirement

Performing Arts

THEATRE

The Theatre program at Westover offers students at all levels of experience the opportunity to engage in the creative world of theatre-making. Whether you choose to work as an actor, in costumes, technical theatre, or as a stage manager, you will learn to work collaboratively in an inclusive culture while developing skills of confident selfexpression

THEATRE ENSEMBLE

Students in Westover’s Theatre Ensemble will explore the collaborative nature of theatrical performance through ensemble-based acting work. Students will rehearse and present both a play and a musical while developing skills in acting, movement, and voice. Emphasis is placed on creative risk-taking, teamwork, and artistic responsibility as students contribute to a shared production process. Students will gain a practical understanding of the arts and craft of theater through active participation in live performances NOTE: Participation in Theatre Ensemble is a full year commitment earning 0.5 credits.

ACTING

See Theatre Ensemble description. In order to perform in the Fall Play, students must participate in the fall season. Performing as an actor in the Spring Musical requires participating in both winter and spring seasons. Fall Term or Winter & Spring Terms | No Academic Credit | Fulfills Performing Arts Experience | Fulfills Afternoon Activities Requirement

TECHNICAL THEATRE

Taught in conjunction with the production each season, this course will offer invaluable hands-on experience in theatre production where students will develop their skills through integrated instruction. Students will learn how to use Westover’s state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems and create sets and props through clearly defined units. Fall, Winter and/or Spring Term | No Academic Credit | Fulfills Performing Arts Experience | Fulfills Afternoon Activities Requirement

COSTUMES

Costuming students engage meaningfully in all fundamentals of costuming research, design, construction and dressing Students work collaboratively to create a costume plot for each production, taking into consideration time period, climate, context and character development and then seek to gather and create all costume elements needed for the show. All students are taught to sew, both on the machine and by hand as well as measure actors, construct garments by following sewing patterns and alter existing garments to fit actors Fall, Winter and/or Spring Term | No Academic Credit | Fulfills Performing Arts Experience | Fulfills Afternoon Activities Requirement

Performing Arts

MUSIC

Music is at the heart of Westover School. Community singing has been an integral part of our school traditions for over a century. Because of that long history, a love of music permeates our entire community. Our music program includes choral ensembles, handbell ensembles, chamber music ensemble, and private music instruction. Students and teachers work together to select repertoire that inspires, challenges and reflects our students Through this collaborative process, we develop experienced and expressive musicians. Students not only perform multiple times a year but also have the opportunity to participate in master classes with guest instructors. Engagement with regional and national music organizations gives students the opportunity to participate in the wider musical community.

MUSIC APPRECIATION

Music Appreciation is an introduction to music history, music theory, and active listening. Students will learn to analyze the music they hear and discuss what they have heard. This course will track the history and development of both western music and global music. Coursework will consist of weekly written analyses and monthly unit projects. The class field trip will give students the opportunity to practice their listening skills during a live performance. This course does not fulfill the Performing Arts experience. Fall Semester | 0.5 Credit | Fulfills Arts & Culture Requirement

MUSIC THEORY

Music Theory is an opportunity for all Westover students to learn to read and write music. This course is highly recommended as a spring arts elective for students enrolled in Westover music ensembles or private lessons We will learn to read written music notation, such as note names, note values, key signatures, accidentals, and chords. We will also develop aural skills, or the ability to sing music that we are seeing for the first time, and to write out the music that we are hearing. Coursework will consist of homework to facilitate understanding, as well as weekly assessments on written notation and aural skills. This course does not fulfill the Performing Arts experience. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

Performing Arts

GLEE CLUB

Glee Club is the oldest music ensemble at Westover and plays an integral part in many school traditions, performing several times a year. Glee Club students who are interested in an additional challenge will have the opportunity to audition for Advanced Glee Club. Full Year | 0.5 Credit | Fulfills Performing Arts Experience

HANDBELL ENSEMBLE

Westover's Handbell Ensembles allow all students to experience the joy of music, even students who have never played an instrument before. Handbell ringers learn to read music notation and develop a variety of ringing techniques. Ringers are part of a team, connecting with other students to create a meaningful shared experience. Handbell ensembles perform multiple times per year during concerts and school traditions. Full Year | 0.5 Credit | Fulfills Performing Arts Experience

PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS

CHAMBER CHOIR

Chamber Choir is for the advanced vocal student who wants to learn more challenging choral repertoire and sing with a full SATB choir. Chamber Choir is selected by audition and performs several times each year during school traditions and concerts. No Academic Credit | Fulfills Performing Arts Experience

CHAMBER MUSIC ENSEMBLE

Chamber Choir is for the advanced vocal student. Chamber Music Ensemble is an opportunity for instrumentalists to practice and perform music together. While the core of our Chamber Music Ensemble is string instruments, we incorporate wind instruments when wind players enroll. Chamber Choir is selected by audition and performs several times each year during school traditions and concerts. Full Year | 0.5 Credit | Fulfills Performing Arts Experience

Private music lessons give students the opportunity to receive individual instruction in musical instruments and in voice. Each student has one lesson weekly, a class recital at the end of the fall semester, and a public recital at the end of the year. The fall Music Theory arts elective is recommended for all students enrolled in private music lessons. No Academic Credit | Fulfills Performing Arts Experience

Performing Arts Distinction Requirements

Distinction in the Performing Arts

Students who have a serious interest in the Performing Arts, (this includes theatre, dance, music, technical theater, and costuming) may choose to pursue a Distinction in the Performing Arts with a Performance Emphasis in their area of interest. At the end of their Junior year, a student who has successfully completed the minimum Department requirements designated below may earn a “Distinction in the Performing Arts” in their performance area. This Distinction will appear on their transcript under the heading “Honors and Awards.” The final decision to award a Distinction in the Performing Arts is made by the Department faculty based on the consistency and quality of a student’s work. Juniors, and seniors who continue in the program, will receive recognition at the Orchard Awards Ceremony at the end of the year.

New 9th, 10th or 11th grade students may be permitted to apply their prior experience toward a Performance Emphasis at the Department’s discretion.

DISTINCTION REQUIREMENTS

Dance Emphasis

A student must successfully complete at least two years and be currently enrolled in the Dance Ensemble.

Theatre Emphasis

A student must participate in 2 shows per year, successfully completing a role in Drama, Technical Theatre, or Costuming.

Music Emphasis

A student must successfully complete at least two years and be currently enrolled in a Music Ensemble.

RASIN CENTER FOR Global Justice

The Rasin Center, founded in 2013 with the support of Joy Peterkin Rasin ’54, ensures that the Westover community engages with the world beyond its walls through a focus on experiential and service learning, DEIJB, environmental sustainability, global programs, and student leadership. Through curriculum and professional development, long-term sustainability initiatives, trips, and service-learning opportunities, the Rasin Center seeks to build connections for and spark action in all those connected to Westover as we strive to cultivate a world centered on global justice.

IDENTITY TO IMPACT

Identity to Impact is a foundational course designed to help freshmen explore who they are and how they can contribute meaningfully to their communities. Through guided self-reflection, dialogue, and experiential learning, students examine their identities, values, and lived experiences. The course introduces core concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice, encouraging students to think critically about systems, power, and belonging. Students will develop the skills to engage respectfully across differences and build inclusive communities. By connecting personal identity to collective responsibility, the course empowers students to move from self-awareness to informed action. Identity to Impact equips students with the mindset and tools needed to create positive change on campus and beyond. Fall and Spring Semesters | 0.5 Credit | 9th grade students only

RESEARCH & ACTION: UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS FROM NEW ORLEANS TO CT

Research & Action is an inquiry-based, experiential course for students ready to dive deep into a pressing, real-world issue they care about. Using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a guiding framework, students will investigate challenges and solutions connected to sustainability, equity, and community well-being. Through a focused case study on New Orleans, students will explore how history, environment, policy, and culture intersect in one city’s ongoing work around resilience and justice. Students will conduct original research, connect their findings to real-world contexts, and design a project aimed at creating tangible impact. Working with community partners and local stakeholders when possible, students will develop and implement a social action plan and present their work publicly at the end of the course. This course is designed for students with interest or experience in social or environmental justice who are ready to undertake self-directed, project-based work. This course dovetails with a new, application-based Rasin Center Experiential Learning Travel Program to The Bayou and New Orleans region (Spring Break 2027). These offerings can be standalone, but are designed to be complementary. Spring Semester | 0.5 Credit

Rasin Center Distinction Requirements

Rasin Center Distinction

The purpose of the Rasin Center Distinction is to give recognition to those students passionate about and involved in issues related to global citizenship.

The Rasin Center Distinction comprises three distinction levels and three impact categories and is designed to provide students with the ability to develop global perspectives, a passion to serve, life changing experiences and leadership development throughout their time at Westover.

Distinction Levels:

Note: Students must ensure that they earn points from each section in order to qualify for any distinction

Spark Distinction: Must complete a minimum of 6 points

Ember Distinction: Must complete a minimum of 13 points

Flame Distinction: Must complete a minimum of 16 points + Firestarter Project & Symposium

Presentation

Impact Categories:

Inside the walls of Westover: 1 Point Each

Student Leadership: 2 Points Each

Outside the walls of Westover: 3 Points Each

Students working toward their Flame Distinction (the highest level of achievement), must complete a Firestarter project and present their work during the Signature Program Symposium.

Students may begin working towards a distinction at any point in their Westover experience. Distinctions are awarded to students based on a points system, with the Flame Distinction being presented at the Orchard Ceremony.

Students interested in pursuing a Rasin Center distinction should meet with a member of the Rasin Center team to obtain additional information and guidance.

Westover Institute

COURSE OVERVIEW

The Westover Institute will meet on Saturday mornings from 9am-12pm, providing four sessions of four-week courses. There will be two sessions in the fall semester and two sessions in the spring semester. Courses will be pass/fail, and students will be required to take one course in the Westover Institute annually and may sign-up for as many as four courses

Each Westover Institute course has a title and a big question that frames the course curriculum. Courses will cover a range of topics and are each tagged by the content areas, including; social justice, law, belonging, feminism, service learning, sustainability, leadership, restorative justice, technology, well-being, creativity, and more. Courses can be taught by a Westover faculty or staff member, students, or outside facilitator.

COURSE MODEL

The core courses for the Westover Institute will stem from signature programs, and there will be additional programming offered based on faculty, staff, and student interests. The signature program courses will include the Rasin Center for Global Justice, the WISE program, and FIRE.

KEY DETAILS

Students will be required to take one course in the Westover Institute annually, and may sign-up for as many as four courses.

Students select their Westover Institutes at the beginning of each school year. There will be no homework expectations between Institute meetings, but instructors may suggest optional enrichment activities for students who find themselves particularly passionate about the content of the course.