"Westminster School seeks curious and engaged students who want to grow and learn in a challenging and supportive environment. Students who are motivated to become their best selves both in and out of the classroom, taking advantage of the myriad of opportunities Westminster has to offer."
“At Westminster, we aspire to an extraordinarily ambitious commitment to secondary education, a commitment to nurture the participation of our diverse school community across our entire program — from academics, to studios and labs, gyms, fields and rink, and service to our Hartford community partners. Westminster students are inspired by opportunities to make a difference in all their endeavors.”
"Through gritty trial and error, Westminster students grow into independent learners who are curious, critical thinkers. With the support of faculty, students gain the skills to understand the world around them and enrich their communities at school and beyond."
"The visual and performing arts program at Westminster weaves the community together and nurtures the spirit of the Westminster campus. The arts at Westminster inspire students of all levels of experience from the very beginner to the advanced artist to practice the freedom of creative self-expression. Professional teachers guide students to work through the creative process from inception to the presentation, building a lifelong respect and appreciation for the arts."
Kerry Kendall Head of Visual and Performing Arts Department
"Athletic success at Westminster is measured not only by wins and losses, but through the bonds created between teammates and coaches, individual and team improvement, and personal growth. When students learn how to be competitors and how to cooperate with one another, they are better prepared to be citizens of the global world."
“Driven by a desire to serve young people and conscious of the opportunities for private schools to support a public purpose, Westminster School’s mission statement concludes with the call ‘to commit to a life of service beyond self.’ Westminster’s Hartford Partnership programs aim to deliver on that mission while making a direct impact on people and programs in Hartford.”
Patrick Owens Executive Director, Horizons at Westminster & Hartford Partnerships
“Involvement will be the key to your success at Westminster School. Get involved with the arts, try a sport you've never played, start your own club, run for student council. You will get out of this experience exactly what you put into it. Do these things early in your life — keep seeking more opportunities for growth.”
“Support for Westminster School provides a way to remember the past, shape the present and steward the future of the school.”
Newell Grant ’99
Director of Advancement
Shannon O’Shaughnessy
Director of Advancement Operations
Details
Appointment of Associate Head of School
Westminster School Headmaster Bill Philip announced that Dean of Faculty Mark de Kanter ’91, P’19, ’22 will become associate head of school at Westminster beginning July 1, 2020. This will follow the departure of Nancy Spencer P’13, ’15, the current associate head of school, who will become head of Shorecrest Preparatory School on that date after a 15-year tenure at Westminster.
Mark was a day student from Granby in Westminster’s Class of 1991. After graduating from Williams College with a double major in biology and English, he joined the faculty at Westminster in 1997. During his tenure, he has earned an M.A.L.S. at Wesleyan University, served as a dorm head, a department head, director of the Westminster Teaching Initiative, director of academic technology, Ecoteam leader and head coach of three varsity sports. He has taught AP Biology for close to two decades as well as a changing mix of other core courses within the science curriculum, and he has also taught electives in the English and history departments. His commitment and contributions to the school have been recognized with numerous faculty prizes, including holding the Walter E. Edge Jr. ’35 Master Chair, the Swayze Award and the O’Brien Award. Currently, as the dean of faculty, a position he assumed July 1, 2018, he supports faculty colleagues as an ardent advocate for professional development.
Outside of Westminster, Mark has contributed to the larger independent school community by serving on three NEASC Visiting Committees and on the CAIS Commission on School Growth and Collaboration. He is the president of the New England Prep School Track Association, a group that oversees all running sports for independent schools in New England. Mark and his spouse, Kathleen Devaney, a history teacher and executive director of Horizons at Westminster, live in McOrmond House with their son, Emmett ’19 and their daughter, Samantha ’22.
“I am absolutely delighted that Mark will serve as associate head of school in the years ahead,” said Headmaster Philip. “Please join me in congratulating him on this appointment.”
“I have been extremely fortunate to be associated with Westminster in many different capacities, from student to faculty to parent,” said Mark. “In each role, I have had mentors, friends and colleagues who have both challenged and supported me and other community members to be the best versions of ourselves. In this new role, I look forward to working with current and future Martlets, faculty and staff colleagues, and the greater school community to foster Westminster’s continued excellence in all of its endeavors.”
Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students In keeping with our support for a diverse community, Westminster abides by all applicable federal and state laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national and ethnic origin, ancestry and/or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Westminster admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School.