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Westford 2020-2021 Profile 30 Patten Road Main: (978) 692-5570 Westford MA 01886 Fax: (978) 692-5576 wa.westfordk12.us/pages/index CEEB # 222335

Administration Counseling Department

James P. Antonelli, Principal Wendy Pechacek, Coordinator Betsy Murphy, Leah Birnkrant Susan Lynch Daniel P. Twomey, Dean Robert P. Ware, Dean Brian Doherty Tracy McLaughlin Karen Halloran Patti Lonergan, LMHC Community Heidi Hider Micaela Violette, LICSW Jill Karatkewicz Lynda Vernalia, Admin. Asst. Westford is a suburban community of 24,194 residents ​ ​ located 35 miles northwest of , . Email: [email protected]

Grade Point Average Westford Academy Facts ​ NUMERICAL AP HONORS PREP ● Public High School - founded in 1792 ​ ​ ​ ● Total Enrollment (9-12): 1645 98-100 5.0 4.5 4.0 ● Class of 2020: 441 93-97 4.7 4.2 3.7 ● Total Faculty: 130 90-92 4.5 4.0 3.5 ● Teaching Faculty with Advanced Degrees: 95% 87-89 4.3 3.8 3.3 ● to Faculty Ratio: 12.5:1 83-86 4.0 3.5 3.0 ● Average Class Size: 23 80-82 3.7 3.2 2.7 77-79 3.4 2.9 2.4 73-76 3.0 2.5 2.0 70-72 2.7 2.2 1.7 Graduation Requirements 65-69 2.0 1.5 1.0 0-64 0.0 0.0 0.0 English 20 credits Math 20 credits GPA is determined for using the weighted scale 15 credits listed below. GPA is based on cumulative semester grades Social Studies 15 credits (10 U.S.) and includes all college preparatory, honors, and Advanced PE/Wellness 10 credits Placement courses. Health 2.5 credits Computer Literacy 2.5 credits Electives 20 credits *Westford Academy does not calculate class rank. World Language 10 credits/same language Marking System Visual/Performing Arts 2.5 credits A+ = 98-100 B+ = 87-89 C+ = 77-79 D = 65-69 ​ ​ ​ ​ A = 93-97 B = 83-86 C = 73-76 F = 0-64 ​ ​ ​ Total 117.5 credits A- = 90-92 B- = 80-82 C- =70-72 ​ ​ ​ ​ Students must also earn a passing score in all MCAS Graduation/ Competency Determination requirements. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the second semester of the 2019-2020 school year was based on a credit/no credit grading system to ensure equity for all students. Westford ● Students are limited to two science courses each year. Academy utilized a remote learning system that required ● All science courses have a laboratory component. students to engage in weekly learning and assignments for ● Only credits earned at Westford Academy or through each of their courses. Students who met or exceeded these requirements were given credit for successful completion of Dual Enrollment are calculated into GPA, up to 35 ​ credits per year. the course. The second semester of this academic year is not calculated into a student’s cumulative grade point average. Westford Academy is beginning the 2020-2021 school year in a hybrid model. Mission Statement Westford Academy, in collaboration with home and community, provides a safe environment where high expectations advance academic excellence. We are committed to promoting integrity and critical thinking, while fostering acceptance and life-long learning in an ever-changing global . Post Secondary Plans 2020

Class of 2017 2018 2019 2020 4 yr. college 92% 91% 91% 93% 2 yr. college 6% 7% 6% 3% Employment 1% 1% 1% 2% Military/Other 1% 1% 2% 2%

Mean SAT Scores Mean ACT Scores Class of 2018 2019 2020 Class of 2018 2019 2020 # Tested 338 402 392 # Tested 217 200 143 EBRW 640 627 631 Composite 27.7 27.0 28.1 Math 660 648 649

National Merit Results Class of 2017 2018 2019 2020 Commended Students 40 47 49 39 Semifinalists 12 10 10 12

Advanced Placement Program

AP Courses Offered: 2020 AP Distribution of Scores Advanced Placement courses are offered in: Studio Art History Test Scores Number of Scores % Total Exams Biology European History 5 436 46 Chemistry English Literature 4 310 33 Physics C – Mechanics 3 162 17 Environmental Science Spanish Language 2 38 4 German Language 1 5 1 Calculus Statistics Theory Computer Science A Class of 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total AP Students 530 437 439 475 Advanced placement courses are typically AP 143 188 195 197 offered during the junior and senior year and Number of Exams 702 878 887 951 students maximize their educational %Total of AP Students 97.7 96.3 97.3 96.6 opportunities within the confines of the with Scores of 3 or above master schedule and graduation requirements. For students taking Advanced Placement courses in the 2020-2021 school year, the AP examination in May is optional.

Albany College of P/H George Washington University of Central Florida Amer Acad Dramatic Arts (NY) Georgetown University Purdue University University of Chicago American University Georgia Queen's University University of Cincinnati Gonzaga University Quinnipiac University University of Connecticut Gordon College Quinsigamond University of Delaware Arizona University Grand Canyon University Regis College University of Exeter Assumption University Hamilton College Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute University of Florida Auburn University Rhode Island College University of Hartford Hartwick College U. of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) Ball State University Harvey Mudd College Rochester Institute of Technology University of Iowa Bates College High Point University Roger Williams University University of Kansas Hobart William Smith University of Kentucky Hofstra University University of Louisville Imperial College Anselm College University of Maine Biola University Indiana University (Bloomington) Saint Joseph's University University Maine (Farmington) Ithaca College Saint Louis University University of Maryland John Cabot University Saint Michael's College U. of Massachusetts (Amherst) Johns Hopkins University Saint Peter's University U. of Massachusetts (Boston) Bridgewater State University Johnson & Wales University Salem State University U. of Massachusetts (Dartmouth) Brigham Young University Juniata College U. of Massachusetts (Lowell) Keene State College San Diego State University University of Miami Lafayette College University of Michigan Butler University Savannah College of Art and Design U. of Minnesota (Twin Cities) Cal Institute of Technology Lehigh University Siena College University of Mississippi Cal State Polytechnic University University of New England Carnegie Mellon University Liberty University Simon Fraser University University of New Hampshire Case Western Reserve U. LIM College University of New Haven Catholic University of America Loyola University Maryland Smith College U. of North Carolina (Asheville) Champlain College Manhattan College Southern Connecticut State University U. of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) Chapman University Marist College Southern New Hampshire University U North Carolina (Wilmington) Marymount Manhattan College Clarkson University Mass College of Art and Design St. Bonaventure University University of Pittsburgh Clemson University Mass College of P/H Sciences St. Norbert College University of Rhode Island Colby College Massachusetts Maritime Academy Stetson University University of Richmond Colby-Sawyer College McGill University Stonehill College University of Rochester Colgate University Stony Brook University University of South Carolina College of Charleston University of Southern California College of the Holy Cross Miami University () SUNY at Albany University of St. Andrews Colorado State U (Fort Collins) Michigan State University SUNY at Binghamton University of Toronto Concordia University (Montreal) Middlebury College SUNY at New Paltz University of Utah Middlesex Community College SUNY College of Technology at University of Vermont Cornell University SUNY University at Buffalo University of Victoria Montana State University Swarthmore College Daemen College Morrisville State College Syracuse University U. of Wisconsin (Madison) Dartmouth College Temple University University of Wyoming Davidson College Mount Saint Mary's College Texas A & M University Vanderbilt University Muhlenberg College Texas Christian University DePaul University Nazareth College The Villanova University Dickinson College New England College The University of Virginia Polytechnic Institute Drexel University New England Inst. of Technology The University of Tampa Wake Forest University Duke University New Jersey Institute of Technology The University of Texas at Austin Washington University (St Louis) Duquesne University University Trinity College Wentworth Inst. Technology Elon University North Carolina State University Trinity College Dublin Wesleyan University West Virginia University Emmanuel College Northern Essex Community College Western New England U. Northern Vermont University Union College Westfield State University Northwestern University Unity College Wheaton College Fitchburg State University University College Dublin Whitman College Florida Atlantic University Nova Southeastern University University of Arkansas Widener University Florida Gulf Coast University Oberlin College University of California (Berkeley) William and Mary Fordham University Ohio Wesleyan University University of California (Davis) Worcester Polytechnic Inst. Framingham State University University of California (Irvine) Worcester State University Franciscan U. (Steubenville) Pennsylvania State University University of California (Los Angeles) Xavier University Franklin Pierce University University of California (San Diego) Yale University Furman University Plymouth State University University of California (Santa Barbara) York College Pennsylvania George Mason University Pratt Institute University of California (Santa Cruz)

SCHOOL TO CAREERS PROGRAM

Self-Assessment and Career Exploration Students are introduced to the career decision-making process during their freshman ​ year. They learn to assess their values, skills and interests and apply that information to course selection and opportunities in the world of work. They also develop an online portfolio of their career exploration activities during their four years at Westford Academy.

Career Exploration Breakfast The goal of this event is to help students connect academic schoolwork to career readiness and ​ awareness beyond Westford Academy. Each sophomore and junior sits with two different community speakers in an informal, round table format. This active question and answer experience helps our students gain an understanding of careers and potential college majors. It may also lead to a junior job shadow site and/or a senior capstone site. All juniors and ​ sophomores attend this event.

Job Shadow This is a one-day visit to a workplace designed to give students the chance to observe someone at work in a specific ​ career field. Students shadow an adult "role model" who is employed in a field of interest and can help the student with their educational and career decisions. Topics of discussion may include workplace norms and customs, and guidance in the career and job search process. It is an important connecting activity that can lead to internship or work opportunities. All ​ ​ juniors participate in a May Job Shadow day. The Junior Job Shadow was cancelled in May 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Senior Capstone Experience

Seniors participate in the 4th quarter Senior Capstone Experience in one of the following ways:

Internships Unpaid work experience for students that is structured to help demonstrate practical applications for academic ​ learning. These experiences help students focus on career goals, motivate them in school, and may even lead to future employment.

Community Service Students volunteer their time in hospitals, nursing homes, or other community agencies. Previous sites ​ include volunteering at the Cameron Senior Center, Lowell Humane Society or Habitat for Humanity. At least half of the student's weekly community service hours must be spent in direct contact with the organization for which they volunteer.

Research Paper or Project (only for students enrolled in at least two AP courses) is in-depth research on an approved topic of ​ choice. With the help of a faculty advisor and site in the community, the student plans and carries out an in-depth study of a particular topic, such as scientific research or developing a computer program.

In 2019, 100% of our seniors participated in the Senior Capstone experience. In 2020, the Capstone program was on hiatus due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

Curriculum Information Although Westford Academy offers four levels of courses in English, mathematics, science, social studies and world languages, students are not tracked. Most departments offer a variety of courses that are heterogeneously grouped. Elective courses provide opportunities to participate in many areas of performing and . Studio arts, symphonic band, theatre arts, and moviemaking are among the programs available to students.

Students are expected to enroll in a minimum of 32.5 credits each academic year. The schedule is based on a seven-day rotation with six classes meeting each day. Students earn 5 credits for successful completion of each full year course and 2.5 credits for each half-year course. Any questions regarding a student’s transcript should be directed to the Counseling Department or by consulting the Program of Studies at: https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/2020-2021-program-studies

Co-Curricular Activity Over 70 clubs, activities and organizations are available including Orchestra, Chorus, Theater Arts, Marching Band, Peer Counseling, Cirrus, D.E.C.A., GSA, HOSA, Amnesty International, National Honor Society, Student Council, Project Purple, and SADD. Interscholastic athletic activities include football, soccer, , track, cross country, , , ice hockey, , , , , , , , , alpine skiing, and . Intramural activities are also offered to interested students.

Students are expected to participate in community service activities throughout all four years.

An active student exchange program brings students from different countries to spend a year or a semester at Westford Academy. Opportunities to travel to England, Germany, France, Spain, and Canada under the tutelage of Westford Academy staff are frequent summer, spring or winter break adventures for interested students.