Westminster Summer School: June 12 - July 21, 2023
If you are seeking academic enrichment or an opportunity to get a head start on the next school year, Westminster offers a variety of year-long and semester courses in a blended learning environment via Westminster Connect, and fully-online via Westminster Online. Both options allow for more flexibility during the summer all the while completing the academic requirements of a summer school course.
Westminster Summer School is non-traditional and does not require daily attendance. In most cases, students are guided by teachers and are able to work at their own pace. Teachers are available via email for all questions and concerns.
How to Register
Grade 8 -11 Students: Register for Westminster Connect courses HERE.
Grade 7 Students: Register for Spanish 1*, Geometry Honors*, Personal Fitness and Health courses HERE. *must meet requirements
Seniors Only There is a criteria for taking these courses in the summer and approval will be made after the student's transcript has been reviewed.
BIBLE AS LITERATURE
Faculty: Mr. Dubocq
A course designed to help equip students on how to read and understand the books of Bible according to literary genre with an emphasis on using proper “hermeneutic” principles (i.e. observation, interpretation, application).
LIFE OF CHRIST
Faculty: Mr. Reed
A personal exploration of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ intended to help students discover who Jesus is, as God who became man, in order to provide the way for people to be reconciled back to God.
Students will develop fundamental skills and creative approaches in photographic imagery, composition, and techniques with an emphasis on photography as communication and art. Students will work on computers and Photo Shop software. Students must provide their own digital single lens reflex (SLR) camera.
In this course, students experiment with a variety of photographic techniques and make connections with historical and contemporary photographers to develop a focused body of work. This course may include but is not limited to researching the history of photography, making connections to contemporary and community photographers, critiquing with varied techniques, and experimenting with a variety of photo‐editing software and platforms. Students will work with smartphones, DSLR Cameras, Surfaces and various editing apps and software.
The purpose of this course is to provide opportunities for students to gain experience and develop skills in digital video production, through single camera techniques and digital-video editing technology. The student will also exhibit the ability to apply production skills in the planning, directing, and recording of their Summer Adventure.
This course provides an introduction and opportunities for leadership in the areas of service-learning and civic responsibility. Academic, personal, and career skills needed for effective service-learning project implementation will be taught and applied through structured service projects that meet real school and/or community needs. Students will actively participate in meaningful service-learning experiences of at least 30 hours' duration.
This course enhances the student's ability to make spiritually sound and wise health decisions for themselves, their families, and communities. Course content includes nutrition, physical activity, diseases, disorders, safety, first aid, community and environmental health, family life, human growth and development, personal hygiene, health systems and careers.
This summer enrichment course is designed to give students an experience with movie music and how the fields of Music Technology and Sound Engineering are used to create the perfect film score/movie music. The course may require attendance of local performances which lead to key discussions and reflections on the course’s topics. This summer's main focus will be on the music of John Williams: Jurassic Park, E.T., Star Wars, etc. The curriculum is designed to leave students with a knowledge of how Music Technology and Sound Engineering play vital roles in the production of movie music.
This course is designed to give students the opportunity to learn fitness concepts and conditioning techniques used for optimal physical fitness. Students will benefit from comprehensive cardiorespiratory endurance activities. Students will learn basic fundamentals of strength training, aerobic training, and overall fitness training and conditioning. Students will be empowered to make wise choices, meet challenges, and develop positive behavior in fitness, wellness, and movement activities for a lifetime.
Philosophy Honors course consists of the following content area strands: American History, World History, Geography, Humanities, Civics and Government. The primary content emphasis for this course pertains to the study of the definition and historical application of philosophy. Content should include, but is not limited to, the study of classical and modern philosophies, the fundamental principles of philosophical thought, such as semantics, logic, inductive and deductive reasoning, and major figures of social, political and religious philosophies.
Through the study of psychology, students acquire an understanding of and an appreciation for human behavior, behavior interaction and the progressive development of individuals. The content examined in this first introductory course includes major theories and orientations of psychology, psychological methodology, memory and cognition, human growth and development, personality, abnormal behavior, psychological therapies, stress/coping strategies, and mental health.
This course prepares students to take the SAT. Studies include test‐taking methods and strategies, vocabulary, grammar, the writing process, and the types of math skills assessed on the exam. Several practice exams help students identify their weaknesses and areas needing improvement.
Most of us love movies. Though we often think of them as "just entertainment," movies are one of the greatest influences in our lives in determining what we believe and how we live. Whether we are aware of it or not, movies shape us and form us and often prove to be more persuasive than parents, than friends and even than our religious traditions in the development of our worldviews.
This is a class about movies. We are going to watch movies. And then we are going to critique these movies. Not to decide if we think they are good movies or not, but as tools to help us learn to watch movies critically. The goal is not to get us to quit watching movies but to get us to view them with a greater awareness of what the messages of the movie might be and how those messages might persuade us.
This is an important class. We cannot get away from movies (nor should we). But we cannot watch them as if they are "neutral" either. Every movie has an agenda. Every movie has points it wants to communicate to its audience. Our responsibility is to learn to watch with an awareness of the power of movies.
Please note this course will not serve as a Bible credit. This course is considered a Social Studies elective.
Faculty: Mr. Escobar
This course presents a comparative study of the historical origins, central teachings, and devotional practices of the major World Religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism.
Students must complete Algebra 1 with an A or better in grade 9, or a B- or better in grade 8, in order to be eligible to take this course. Approval will be made after the student's transcript has been reviewed.
Faculty: Mr. Davis
The course will cover the following topics: reasoning and proofs, parallel and perpendicular lines, congruent triangles, quadrilaterals, right triangles, trigonometry and circles. The course structure will consist mainly of work done independently in MathXL, on an online learning environment. Students will work through each unit at their own pace while answering practice questions and completing quizzes to prepare for each unit test. All work is done in MathXL.
This course presents the history of Florida from its earliest inhabitants to the present, emphasizing the period since 1821 when the United States acquired Florida from Spain.
Student must earn a final grade of B or better in English. Approval will be made after the student's transcript has been reviewed.
Faculty: Mrs. Aguero
Spanish 1 introduces students to the target language and its culture. The student will develop communicative skills in all 3 modes of communication and cross-cultural understanding. Emphasis is placed on proficient communication in the language. An introduction to reading and writing is also included as well as culture, connections, comparisons, and communities.
There is a criteria for taking this course in the summer and approval will be made after the student's transcript has been reviewed.
Faculty: Mrs. Dieleman
Spanish 2 reinforces the fundamental skills acquired by the students in Spanish 1. The course develops increased listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills as well as cultural awareness. Specific content to be covered is a continuation of listening and oral skills acquired in Spanish 1. Reading and writing receive more emphasis, while oral communication remains the primary objective. The cultural survey of the target language-speaking people is continued.
The course is centered on five field trips throughout south Florida. There are two purposes in the field trips. One is to cover some of the major environmental issues. The second is to develop good experimental skills. We will collect data from each of the areas. Water samples will be taken on every trip. Tests will be made on each of these areas and the area’s water quality will be compared. Additional fees will apply per field trip.
Important Dates
March 29 - Registration Opens May 12 - Registration Deadline May 13-26 - 50% Refund for Dropped Courses After May 26 - No Refund for Dropped Course(s)
Please click HERE to register for Westminster Online summer courses.
Westminster Online courses are asynchronous and self-paced, taught by certified instructors from around the country. Administrative approval is required for courses meant to substitute graduation requirements. Students seeking online courses for credit forgiveness should consult the administration for possible virtual options. Students are responsible to meet all deadlines and guidelines set by Westminster Online instructors, including exam protocols. Grades in these courses will be applied to Westminster student transcripts.
Computer programming is the latest, and some would say the greatest, effort of humanity to reflect and respond to the order programmed into every corner of Creation. In Foundations of Programming , you will have the opportunity to consider the role of Jesus Christ, the Master Programmer, in original Creation as you seek to play your role in a world that requires more and more programs on a regular basis. Do you want to learn the skills required to be competitive in today’s high-tech workforce? Foundations of Programming will teach you the fundamentals of programming using the computer language Python. The course provides you with the concepts, techniques, and processes associated with computer programming and software development. You will also explore the many programming career opportunities available in this high-demand field.
There are many courses that teach students time management, goal-setting, and other leadership techniques. Leadership Skills Development is different. Because leadership is more than a position of power, various biblical and theological ideas are integrated throughout the course. Students don't just get advice on how to achieve influence and make a difference. This course teaches students to become servant leaders who see that other people’s needs are met. Rather than acquiring power and hoarding it, servant leaders share power with others. They focus on the growth and well-being of others and help others to develop and perform at their best. In short, students learn to lead from a biblical worldview. Whether students are struggling or already at the top of their game, Leadership Skills Development will give them new power to be a different kind of leader and make a real difference in their world.
Note: This course does not stand for one of the four required high school units toward Westminster graduation requirements.
Through creative writing, we can come to understand ourselves and our world a little bit better. With relevant examples from both biblical and modern literature, this course provides students with a solid grounding in the writing process, from finding inspiration and building a basic story to using complicated literary techniques and creating strange hybrid forms of poetic prose and prose poetry. It also explores biblical values that come to bear in the writing process, such as the importance of serving God with one’s craft; maintaining humility while developing one’s voice; and utilizing theme as a means of promoting the gospel. By the end of this course, students will learn how to discover their creative thoughts and turn those ideas into fully realized pieces of creative writing that glorify their Creator.
Fingerprints. Blood spatter. DNA analysis. The world of law enforcement is increasingly making use of scientific method to both better understand crimes and catch those responsible for them. Forensics 1 seeks to guide students into an understanding of God’s desire for both justice and mercy as they investigate the order and design in creation that enables crime scene investigation (CSI). The course introduces the most important skills and techniques used by forensic scientists during an investigation. Starting with how clues and data are recorded and preserved, the student will follow evidence trails until the CSI goes to trial, examining how various elements of the crime scene are analyzed and processed in court. Justice must be served!
Examine the evidence! Although the crime scene represents the first step in solving a crime, the crime laboratory plays a critical role in the analysis of evidence. Forensic Science 2 focuses on the analysis of evidence and testing that takes place within this setting. Students will examine some of the basic scientific principles and knowledge that guide forensic laboratory processes, such as those testing DNA, toxicology, and material analysis. Techniques such as microscopy, chromatography, odontology, entomology, mineralogy, and spectroscopy will be examined. And along the way, students will continue to discover divine design and order in creation, as well as how evidence can uncover both evil intentions and godly pursuits.
Are you a gamer? Do you enjoy playing video games or coding? Does the idea of creating and designing your own virtual world excite you? If so, this is the course for you! With Game Design, students will tap into their creative and technical skills as they learn about the many aspects involved with game design. Students will learn about video game software and hardware, various gaming platforms, necessary technical skills, troubleshooting and internet safety techniques, and even the history of gaming. Along the way, they will also explore what the Bible teaches about gaming, examine game ideas for ethics and worldview, assess the morality of video game violence and addiction, and otherwise begin to think of game design and video games from a distinctly Christian perspective. And to top it all off, students will even have the opportunity to create their very own plan for a 2D video game!
Mobile App Programming will teach foundational computer science methodology, concepts, and programming. While students are taught to use the latest mobile development software and technologies, they will consider how mobile computing can be used for good and the expansion of God’s kingdom. From the first lesson, students will practice what they are learning to develop and produce functional Android applications that they can share with classmates, family, and friends. Lessons are a mix of dynamic activity, video guidance, lecture, and tutorials. The lessons are designed to engage both the novice and expert student in the field of mobile application development.
Societies, governments, and individuals enjoy a very complex relationship with each other, often with no shortage of problems. Building on the foundation of God’s Word and an understanding of human sinfulness, students will focus on the causes of and responses to these problems. Focusing on one area of concern at a time (e.g., poverty, health care, the environmental crisis), students will discover not only how these social problems affect them personally and the world around them, but how they can make a local and global difference for the kingdom of God.
Societies, governments, and individuals enjoy a very complex relationship with each other, often with no shortage of problems. In Social Problems 2, students continue to examine timely social issues affecting individuals and societies around the globe. These include individualism; consumption and consumerism; homelessness; obesity and health; science and technology; problematic groups such as extremists, cults, and gangs; drug and alcohol abuse; and globalization. Focusing on one of these issues at a time, students learn about the overall structure of the problem, how each one impacts their lives and communities, and possible solutions for the problem at both individual and structural levels. Biblical teaching is also integrated to encourage students to think of and treat these issues from the perspective of a distinctly Christian worldview.
Students will acquire knowledge necessary to understand what the body is doing and how it can cope with many different situations. Students will study body systems in order to understand how their structure, location, and function allow for interaction with other parts of the body. They will also consider how the body can be used in their worship of God, promoting spiritual growth and serving as an analogy for spiritual truths. This version of Anatomy and Physiology is fully compatible with mobile devices. Students can access all course materials, interactives, and assessments from their tablet or smartphone.
In this course you will learn the basic Chinese language. After one semester, you will be able to engage in conversation in Chinese including greeting people, introducing yourself to others, and exchanging basic information with others. You will be able to count from 1 to 1,000 and make simple sentences in both spoken and written Chinese. You will also learn 160 "magical" Chinese characters and use them on a variety of topics. As you walk through the units with us step by step, you will get to know not only the language itself, but also the culture where the language takes place and keeps developing. At the very beginning, we will start by introducing you to a general knowledge of Pinyin, Mandarin Chinese, Chinese dialects, and Chinese characters.
Chinese 2 enables students to further develop the communicative skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing of Mandarin Chinese at a more advanced level. Students are immersed in Chinese culture as virtual exchange students in China. Virtual excursions from one Chinese city to another expand their vocabulary helping them learn to interact with others and use appropriate terms to communicate in various everyday situations.
In Chinese 3, the students will continue to expand their abilities in various aspects of Chinese Mandarin learning. They will continue to build up their knowledge in vocabulary, sentence patterns, and grammar points in communicative contexts. They will also enhance their Chinese Mandarin listening and speaking skills such as pronunciations and intonations. The students will learn more in-depth Chinese reading and writing strategies and skills. Their Chinese reading abilities and efficiency will be greatly improved and they will be able to write in Chinese in various formats such as journal, letter, invitation, and essay. The students’ knowledge and skills in writing simplified Chinese characters will also be enriched and fortified. In this course, the students will learn more about the essential Chinese culture knowledge including the origins, histories, anecdotes, and etiquettes for various cultural settings, events, or occasions.
The course introduces the fundamentals of German grammar, vocabulary, and conversation. It also coordinates the study of language with culture through the use of video, audio, and mass-media production. Students who complete the course successfully will begin to develop a functional competency in the four primary language areas (speaking, reading, listening, and writing), while also establishing a solid grammatical base and a firm understanding of German culture. As with each of the semesters, guided translation exercises, based on various passages and versions of the German Bible, are included at the end of each module, helping students to solidify their understanding, develop translation skills, and explore the context and meaning of select biblical passages.
In this course, students build on the grammar and language skills that they acquired during their German 1 course. While reviewing basic grammar skills (e.g., present and past tenses), students learn and study stem-changing verb conjugation and explore cultural themes regarding current events, famous German people, music, and famous festivals. In the second semester of German 2, students increase their proficiency in communication by forming more complex German sentences in a variety of tenses and using all four cases (nominative, accusative, dative, and genitive). The variety of topics also increases, from exploring different careers to discussing relationships. Cultural themes are intertwined throughout this course, related to going shopping, going to the zoo, and traveling throughout the German speaking world. As with each of the previous semesters, guided translation exercises, based on various passages and versions of the German Bible, are included at the end of each module, helping students to solidify their understanding, develop translation skills, and explore the context and meaning of select biblical passages.
With more than seven billion people in the world today, there is more need than ever to research and tell the stories of the global community from God’s perspective. Researching and writing these stories will be your assignment as a new reporter for God’s News Network. In this course, all the stories are big stories. Human rights, the environment, global security, and international economic systems are all part of your beat. The stories also have real human interest because they deal with peoples' customs, cultures, and how they interact with each other and the truths of God’s word. Your job will be to research the facts and present them with clarity and context. Your job will also involve identifying real global problems and then, suggesting well-developed solutions. This is a course that makes you think. The stories are current and compelling. They need to be told, and the right person to tell them is you!
In this course, as students take their first steps on a lifelong journey of discovery; they find out for themselves how their faith confronts history and provides a pathway back to our proper relationship to God. Students improve their command of the English language by studying Latin. Students also gain a better understanding of today's laws and culture by getting into the Roman mind and are challenged to relate that understanding to their relationship to God. Latin 1 is the most comprehensive way to begin. The purpose of this course is to give students a foundation in Latin grammar and vocabulary. This course also acquaints students with classical mythology and with the everyday life of the typical Roman and points out how that worldview contrasts with the Christian worldview. The course sets the students' feet on a journey as big as their imaginations, with a passport to some of the world’s most exciting places. On that journey, as they grow in knowledge, they will deepen their Christian faith.
In Latin 2, the plots and the characters that populated ancient Rome come alive as they are compared and contrasted with the themes of the Pater Noster. In this course, students build on their knowledge of Latin grammar and vocabulary. In the process, they sense the beauty of the language and the passion of those who spoke it. A clear, expressive, and flexible language in which students can communicate supports Roman engineering, art, commerce, and system of law. As the students explore the pursuit for power, riches, and national identity found in the Roman Classics, parallels and contrasts are drawn between the themes of the Lord's Prayer—surrendering to God's sovereignty as opposed to pursuing personal power; humility rather than greatness; surrender as a form of victory; and many others. This course gives students a solid grounding in the structure of the language. It also gives them a clear lens for looking into the heart and majesty of the Roman spirit.
In Latin 3, students visit the library of great authors. The library card gives them access to the timeless words of the greatest Roman poets, storytellers, and orators. Students' skills with the Latin language give them direct access to the beauty and power of these great authors' thoughts. This will enable students to compare the imagery of the Bible with that of the Roman authors while realizing how studying an ancient language can illuminate many biblical truths. Students will read some of the best Latin prose and poetry ever written or spoken from Caesar, Cicero, Catullus, and others while exploring the responsibility God gives humans to alter circumstances and affect history. The purpose of this course is to strengthen students' Latin vocabulary as well as their appreciation for well-crafted writing. Students go directly to the source and recognize why Latin and those who spoke it are still relevant today. The course has been carefully aligned to National Standards for Classical Language Learning as set forth by ACTFL (the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages). Please be sure to review the full course syllabus to be sure your student has covered all prerequisite material to be successful. If you have any questions about your student’s readiness to take this course, please enroll your student in the Latin 3 Pre-Test. This will provide you with accurate placement information so you can request the appropriate level of course for your student’s success.
In the marine science course, students will explore the watery depths of our own planet to see evidence of God’s design and understand just how vital the ocean is to our existence. Throughout the course, students will meet marine animals and see how they interact with each other and their environment. They will tour the ever-changing seafloor and view its trenches, volcanoes, and ridges. They will discover the power and design found in the waves, currents, tides, and the other physical interactions between the ocean and the land. Finally, students will study the impacts of chemical processes on our blue planet and how they affect the water, the atmosphere, and even our climate. With a focus on our responsibility to care for God’s creation, this course will show students that the ocean connects us all, across distance and even time. Hang on—it's going to be an amazing journey.
Dive into the rich diversity of Hispanic culture across the globe by exploring the tastes, sights, and sounds of this dynamic language that reflects triumph, struggle, celebration, and so much more. During this cultural journey, you’ll improve conversational, vocabulary, and writing skills through authentic tasks. Short of obtaining a passport, there is no better way to discover new lands, peoples, or experiences. Take your Spanish language abilities to the next level! The course has been carefully aligned to national standards as set forth by ACTFL (the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages).
In this course, students will study the ideas and beliefs promoted in our culture today. They will explore how they are applied to many different areas of life. Students will first study the core beliefs of six worldviews. Then, they will apply those worldviews to ten disciplines that are basic to the decisions made throughout life. Not only is the Christian worldview studied extensively, but it is also held up as the standard by which to judge all other worldviews and disciplines. The students will be equipped to understand the people and ideas of their times. They will be able to engage and defend the Christian worldview in the public sphere.
Westminster Christian School, located in Palmetto Bay, Florida, is a private, college-preparatory school for children from preschool through twelfth grade.