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Copy of 5-7-24West00156 (2)
Learning
Academic Vision
Westover and Educational Excellence
A Message from the Head of SchoolWestover’s legacy of academic excellence has been built generation by generation. Each cohort of students and faculty has expanded upon the achievements of those who came before them, envisioning a world bigger and bolder than the one before them.
As I stepped into my role as Head of School at Westover, one of my first priorities was to articulate a shared academic vision—one that honors Westover’s rich traditions while boldly charting a course for the future. I began this process by meeting individually with each teacher, listening deeply to their insights, experiences, and aspirations. I then convened a core group of educators to reflect on the best of Westover and imagine the essential elements of a vision to inspire generations to come.
At Westover, the academic vision serves as a compass, guiding what we value, how we teach, and the kind of thinkers we seek to develop. It points us toward our true north, articulating the school’s aspirations for teaching and learning. It defines what students should know and value, while shaping the culture and priorities of the institution. More than curriculum alone, it reflects how the Westover community engages with knowledge, inquiry, and growth.
Polly Oppmann Fredlund P’25
Westover Head of School
Pedagogical Approach at Westover
At Westover, we are committed to academic engagement, belonging, and student well-being. In partnership with Challenge Success, we implement research-based, equity-centered strategies that elevate student voice and foster a community where every learner can thrive.
Challenge Success is a research-based organization affiliated with Stanford University's Graduate School of Education that partners with schools to create meaningful change, impact pedagogy and school culture, and drive sustainable, lasting transformation.
Academic Vision
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Associate Head of School Catherine Stines
Through Westover’s core academic curriculum, flagship programs like Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), Raisin Center for Global Justice and Financial Independence Readiness and Empowerment (F.I.R.E), academic initiatives like the Westover Institute and Oxford Tutorial, and educational partnerships with Challenge Success, this vision comes to life. Students develop the mindset, resilience, and skills to engage with the world’s most pressing challenges and to imagine new possibilities.
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Be Boldly You
Westover School admits students of any race, color, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin, or disability to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. As a gender-diverse girls school, Westover welcomes applicants and students who are assigned female at birth and/or identify as girls. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational policies, admissions and financial aid policies, and athletic or other school-administered programs.