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Real learning involves energy. Bright, dynamic, full of excitement.

That’s where middle schoolers begin at Westtown, with a preteen’s natural energy and that universal sense of uncertainty about what lies ahead. At Westtown, they learn to focus that energy on an incisive question, a new look at themselves, a sport they’ve never tried, an art form they’ve not yet explored. How can an academic community simultaneously whet young teenagers’ appetite for knowledge, spur their progress toward independent thinking, and ensure that each fresh young spirit continues to shine with enthusiasm and renewable energy?

Working within our highly respected, 200-year-old heritage of Quaker education, Westtown School has found a way.

News

  • Blessings of a B Minus

    Join parents and MS Principal, Nancy van Arkel, for a discussion of selected chapters from Wendy Mogul's new book, Blessings of a B Minus, Wednesday mornings from 8:15 - 9:00 in the MS Lobby.

    February 15: The Blessings of a Bad Attitude: Living Graciously with the Chronically Rude

    February 22: The Blessings of a B minus: The Real Lessons of Homework, Chores, and Jobs

    March 21: The Blessings of a Lost Sweater: Managing your Teen's Materialism, Entitlement, and carelessness

    March 28: The Blessings of Problems to Solve: Letting Your Teen Learn from Bad Judgment and Stressful Situations

  • 6th Graders Featured on Lisa Yee's Blog this week!

    This summer, students in T. Lisa's Literature Studies classes read Lisa Yee's Millicent Min, Girl Genius and Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time, and created Fakebook pages based on the characters. T. Lisa emailed Lisa Yee about the project, and she has featured the class and their projects on her blog this week. Check out her blog, Terrific Teachers and Fabulous "FakeBook" Pages, at lisayee.livejournal.com!

  • All the World's a Stage!

    It's Shakespeare Festival time in Middle School, and it only happens once every three years! The plays - A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night and The Taming of the Shrew - are cast and rehearsing. Teachers are planning workshops for the week of February 27 - everything from calligraphy and trebuchets to cooking Renaissance treats and sewing jester costumes and Elizabethan bodices.

    Parents! Get involved by volunteering to help with workshops, with Elizabethan Sweets and Savories, with set building and with rehearsals. For more information and to volunteer, click here.

  • SPARK!

    Our MS orientation began with SPARK! - Spirit, Participation, Academic Excellence, Respect, and Kindness. Middle School students explored these themes while gathering into Brown & White teams, creating cheers, learning how to manage homework, connecting with advisors, discovering what is compostable and what is recyclable, making effective use of technology, and so much more!

  • CyberSmart!

    Students in 7th grade Decisions are using the CyberSmart! curriculum to explore digital citizenship. Topics will include digital life, privacy, connected culture, self-expression and identity, and respecting creative work. To learn more, visit Common Sense Media.