Westminster School (Connecticut)
{{Short description|Private boarding school in Simsbury, Connecticut, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox school
| name = Westminster School
| image = Westminster School's Seal.png
| image_size = 165px
| motto = Virtute et Numine
| motto_translation = Grit and Grace
| address = 995 Hopmeadow St
| city = Simsbury
| state = Connecticut
| zipcode = 06070
| country = United States
| ceeb = 070680
| established = {{start date and age|1888|p=1}}
| founder = William Lee Cushing
| head of school = Elaine B. White
| type = Private, Boarding, Day
| faculty = 95
| enrollment = 400
| ratio = 5:1
| campus_size = 210 acres
| colors = Black and gold
{{color box|#000000|border=silver}}{{color box|#ffcc00|border=silver}}
| athletic_conference = Founders League
| mascot = Martlet
| endowment = $100,500,000
| tuition = $62,475 Boarding, $47,225 Day
| homepage = {{URL|https://westminster-school.org}}
}}
The Westminster School is a private, coeducational college-preparatory, boarding and day school located in Simsbury, Connecticut, United States, accepting around 20% of applicants. The total student population is approximately 400, and includes pupils from 25 US states and 30 countries.{{Cite web|url=https://www.privateschoolreview.com/westminster-school-profile/06070|title=Westminster School Profile (2018-19) {{!}} Simsbury, CT|website=Private School Review|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-20}} It is also a member of the Founders League, an athletic league comprising ten college preparatory boarding schools in Connecticut and one in New York.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefoundersleague.org/|title=Founders League|website=www.thefoundersleague.org|language=en|access-date=2018-10-16}}
History
File:Westminster's Gund House at sunset.jpg
Westminster School was founded in 1888 as a boys' school by William Lee Cushing, a graduate of Yale University.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boardingschools.com/school-profile/westminster-school|title=Westminster School - The Association of Boarding Schools - TABS|website=www.boardingschools.com|access-date=2018-11-20}} Girls were first admitted to the school in 1971. Like many boarding schools, Westminster faced difficult times in the 1970s as it competed for a shrinking pool of boarding students. When Donald Werner retired in 1993, after serving as Headmaster for 21 years, he was succeeded by Graham Cole.
Significant building projects undertaken include:
- Edge House. Designed by Westminster alumnus Graham Gund and built in 1996, Edge House houses 33 students and three faculty families.{{Cite news
| title = Simsbury Prep School Gets Gift Of $27 Million
| url = https://www.courant.com/1996/09/21/simsbury-prep-school-gets-gift-of-27-million/
| format = Web article
| publisher = The Hartford Courant
| date = September 21, 1996
}}
- Kohn Squash Pavilion. Completed in the Spring of 2000, The Squash Pavilion contains eight squash courts around a stepped viewing area with natural light from skylights above. The team rooms, locker rooms, and other support spaces are located on a second floor mezzanine overlooking the viewing area and squash courts below.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gundpartnership.com/The-Athletic-and-Wellness-Complex-at-Westminster-School|title=The Athletic and Wellness Complex at Westminster School|website=www.gundpartnership.com|access-date=2018-11-20}}
- Sherwin Health & Athletic Center. Completed in 2003, the Sherwin Health & Athletic Center, the Hibbard Aquatic Center and the Health & Counseling Center is a multipurpose building. The Aquatic Center contains an eight lane competition pool with support facilities and a viewing area on the mezzanine floor.[http://www.gundpartnership.com/The-Athletic-and-Wellness-Complex-at-Westminster-School "Sherwin Health & Academic Center"] Gund Partnership, Hibbard Aquatic Center, Sherwin Health & Athletic Center and Kohn Squash Pavilion
- Armour Academic Center. This 85,000-square-foot Center houses the Humanities, Math and Science departments, library, and administration. Building features include a centrally located atrium, two-story library, classrooms and laboratories, 120-seat lecture hall, planetarium, faculty and administrative offices, and a variety of lounge spaces.[http://www.gundpartnership.com/Armour-Academic-Center-Westminster-School "Armour Academic Center"] Gund Partnership, Armour Academic Center, Westminster School{{Cite news|url=https://patch.com/connecticut/simsbury/westminster-school-concludes-125th-anniversary-celebration-with-dedication-of-two-new-residence-halls|title=Westminster School Concludes 125th Anniversary Celebration with Dedication of Two New Residence Halls|date=2013-09-28|work=Simsbury, CT Patch|access-date=2018-11-20|language=en-US}}
With Cole's retirement in 2010, Westminster appointed William V.N. Philip as its eighth Headmaster. Philip ascended to the top job after a 26-year career at Westminster as a teacher, coach, dormitory parent, college counselor, and Associate and Assistant Headmaster.{{Cite news|url=http://www.townvibe.com/Town-Vibe-Special-Issue/September-October-2011/Tales-of-the-Headmasters-Philip/|title=Tales of the Headmasters Philip|access-date=2018-11-20|language=en}} Philip stepped down at the end of the 2020–21 academic year.
Elaine B. White was appointed the ninth Head of School in 2021.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-08|title=New Head of School Announced|url=https://www.westminster-school.org/news-detail?pk=1247848|access-date=2021-07-21|website=Westminster School|language=en}} Prior to her arrival at Westminster, Elaine was Associate Head of School at The Governor's Academy.
Faculty and staff
=Headmasters=
- 1988-1920: William Lee Cushing{{Cite news|url=https://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-xpm-2012-09-11-hc-simsbury-westminster-anniversary-20120910-story.html|title=Simsbury's Westminster School Celebrates 125 Years|last=FEDERICO|first=HILLARY|work=Courant Community|access-date=2018-11-20|language=en-US}}
- 1920-1922: Lemuel Gardner Pette
- 1922-1936: Raymond McOrmond
- 1936-1956: Arthur Milliken
- 1956-1970: Francis KeyesFrancis Keyes, a Headmaster at Westminster School, Dies. New York Times, Dec 13, 1981; p.54.
- 1970-1993: Donald H. Werner
- 1993-2010: W. Graham Cole Jr.{{cite web|last1=Buck|first1=Rinker|title=The Westminster School Names New Headmaster|url=https://www.courant.com/2009/11/07/the-westminster-school-names-new-headmaster/|website=The Hartford Courant|publisher=Hartford Courant|access-date=16 March 2015}}
- 2010–2021: William V.N. Philip{{cite web|title=A Biography of Board Member William V.N. Philip|url=http://schoolsinpartnership.org/BillPhillipbio|website=National Network of Schools in Partnership|publisher=National Network of Schools in Partnership|access-date=16 March 2015}}
- 2021–Present: Elaine B. White
Student activities
{{more citations needed|date=August 2022}}
=Athletics=
| class="wikitable" | ||||
| Sport | Season | Boys/Girls | Competitive | Practice and Game Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cross Country | Fall | B/G | Yes | Campus trails |
| Field Hockey | Fall | G | Yes | Hovey Field (lighted turf) and Sawyer Field |
| Soccer | Fall | B/G | Yes | Harrison, Michelini, Wilbraham and Tate Fields |
| Water Polo | Fall | B | Yes | Hibbard Aquatic Center |
| Basketball | Winter | B/G | Yes | Pettee and New Gymnasiums |
| Ice Hockey | Winter | B/G | Yes | Jackson Hockey Rink |
| Squash | Winter | B/G | Yes | Kohn Squash Pavilion |
| Swimming and Diving | Winter | B/G | Yes | Hibbard Aquatic Center |
| Baseball | Spring | B | Yes | Osborn Baseball Field |
| Golf | Spring | B/G | Yes | Hopmeadow Country Club and Simsbury Farms Golf Course |
| Lacrosse | Spring | B/G | Yes | Hovey Field (lighted turf), Harrison and Wilbraham Fields |
| Softball | Spring | G | Yes | Softball Field and Observatory Field |
| Tennis | Spring | B/G | Yes | Briggs, Gow and Haynes Tennis Courts |
| Track and Field | Spring | B/G | Yes | Brooks Family Track |
=Theater=
Each year the theater program stages three productions in the Werner Centennial Theater: one dramatic production spanning the varied genre of Western theater, a musical production, and the student-directed performances, which offer advanced students the opportunity to direct. Each of these productions offers many opportunities for student involvement and leadership, both on stage and backstage.{{Cite news|url=https://patch.com/connecticut/simsbury/westminster-school-dramat-association-present-urinetown-musical|title=Westminster School Drama Association to Present "Urinetown: The Musical"|date=2017-01-23|work=Simsbury, CT Patch|access-date=2018-11-20|language=en-US}}
Situated at the northeastern corner of the campus's central quadrangle, Centennial Center was upgraded in 1988 into a 30,000 square-foot building including a two-story lobby, a 400-seat, multi-use Shakespearean-style theater, music and dance studios and rehearsal room, dressing rooms, a scene shop/laboratory and other production support spaces. Particular to the “courtyard” theater form, all 400 seats are within 40 feet of the front of the stage, and there is built-in flexibility for both audience size and style of production.{{cite web|title=Centennial Performing Arts Center, Westminster School|url=http://www.gundpartnership.com/Centennial-Performing-Arts-Center-Westminster-School|website=Gund Partnership|access-date=16 March 2015}}
Notable alumni
{{alumni|date=August 2022}}
- William Acquavella, art dealer, head of Acquavella Galleries{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/10/arts/self-effacing-william-acquavella-who-struck-art-s-biggest-deal.html|title=Self-Effacing William Acquavella, Who Struck Art's Biggest Deal|date=10 May 1990|website=The New York Times|access-date=3 October 2017}}
- Lake Bell '97, actress
- Eric Boguniecki, NHL hockey player
- Ethan Brooks '91, NFL football player
- Joy Bryant '92, actress
- William S. Beinecke, ‘32, Namesake of Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library{{Cite book|title=Westminster School Fall Magazine 2018|last=Philip|first=B.|publisher=Westminster School Press|year=2018|pages=Class Notes}}{{Cite news|url=https://capecodchronicle.com/en/5316/obituaries/2918/William-%E2%80%9CBill%E2%80%9D-Sperry-Beinecke.htm|title=William "Bill" Sperry Beinecke|work=Cape Cod Chronicle|access-date=2018-11-17|language=en-en}}{{Cite web|url=http://prospect-hill.org/directors-and-staff/|title=Directors and Staff {{!}}|website=prospect-hill.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-17}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.oldnewyorkstories.com/post/11666701577/william-beinecke-96|title=WILLIAM BEINECKE- 96|last=Vidani|first=Peter|website=Old New York Stories|language=en|access-date=2018-11-17}}
- Tommy Cross '08, Boston Bruins 2nd round draft pick and currently with the Columbus Blue Jackets
- David Doubilet '65, National Geographic photographer
- Jack Du Brul, writer
- Patrick Ellis, radio personality{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Harrison |title=Patrick Ellis, popular D.C. gospel broadcaster, dies at 77 of coronavirus complications |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/patrick-ellis-popular-dc-gospel-broadcaster-dies-at-77-of-coronavirus-complications/2020/07/17/ccb31332-c830-11ea-b037-f9711f89ee46_story.html |access-date=23 July 2020 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=17 July 2020 |language=en}}
- Andrew Firestone '94, The Bachelor TV series{{Cite news|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1994-06-16-9406160628-story.html|title=81 GRADUATE FROM WESTMINSTER SCHOOL|last=Courant|first=Hartford|work=courant.com|access-date=2018-11-22|language=en-US}}
- Peter Fonda, actor
- Bryan Nash Gill, '80, artist{{Cite web|url=https://cornwalllibrary.org/chronosly/bryan-nash-gilll|title=Bryan Nash Gill – The Cornwall Library|website=cornwalllibrary.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-22}}
- Graham Gund '59, architect{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/02/05/style/ann-swain-landreth-executive-wed.html|title=ANN SWAIN LANDRETH, EXECUTIVE, WED|work=The New York Times |date=5 February 1984 |access-date=2018-11-22|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1996-09-21-9609210211-story.html|title=SIMSBURY PREP SCHOOL GETS GIFT OF $27 MILLION|last=Writers|first=RACHEL GOTTLIEB and VAN ALDEN FERGUSON; Courant Staff|work=courant.com|access-date=2018-11-22|language=en-US}}
- Bertil Hille
- John William Kilbreth, 1894, U.S. Army brigadier general{{cite book|last1=Davis|first1=Henry Blaine Jr.|title=Generals in Khaki|date=1998|publisher=Pentland Press, Inc.|location=Raleigh, NC|isbn=1571970886|pages=214–215}}
- Alec Musser, actor
- Ben Smith '06, NHL Hockey player{{cite web|last1=Fitts|first1=John|title=Avon's Ben Smith Brings Hockey's Famed Stanley Cup to Westminster School|url=http://patch.com/connecticut/avon/avons-ben-smith-brings-hockeys-famed-stanley-cup-to-westminster-school|website=Avon Patch|date=16 July 2013|publisher=Patch|access-date=16 March 2015}}
- John V. Tunney '52, former United States Senator and Representative from the state of California{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/12/26/archives/john-tunney-kennedys-friend-in-muskies-corner.html|title=John Tunney, Kennedy's Friend In Muskie's Corner|last=Leslie|first=Jacques|work=The New York Times |date=26 December 1971 |access-date=2018-11-22|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pressdemocrat/obituary.aspx?n=gene-lauder-tunney&pid=131301929|title=Gene Tunney Obituary - CA | Press Democrat|website=Legacy.com }}
- Wellesley Wild '90, writer and executive producer of Family Guy
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.westminster-school.org/}}
{{coord|41.8869|-72.7968|display=title}}
{{Founders League}}
{{New England Preparatory School Athletic Council|state=collapsed}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Preparatory schools in Connecticut
Category:Private high schools in Connecticut
Category:Boarding schools in Connecticut
Category:Educational institutions established in 1888
Category:Buildings and structures in Simsbury, Connecticut