Prep Division

Windward’s division structure reflects our knowledge of students as learners and as young people. Beginning with an orientation before school starts, the Prep Division sets the course of 9th grade with older students and adults who anticipate and answer questions about Upper School life at Windward. The Prep Division sees 9th and 10th Grade students as ready to grow socially, emotionally and academically in ways that honor their age and development. Our goal is for every student is to say, “I matter, I am accepted, I will be appropriately challenged and supported—personally and intellectually.”

As 10th Graders, Prep students have more freedom and independence and we prepare them to contribute to the world beyond Windward. Just as 9th graders partner directly with Windward’s Service Learning program, 10th graders are eligible to partner directly with the Windward Network. In these Prep years, students begin to discover the interests and develop the habits that we see come to fruition in their engagement as learners and community members in the Collegiate Division.

Prep Division students step into leadership roles within the Upper School as Prefects, participants in Student Life, clubs, athletics, arts, spirit groups and more. As they transition from Middle School, they are joined by a cohort of new students who bring even greater diversity of interest and background. As students take on new academic, social, and extracurricular challenges in 9th grade, we intentionally maintain some of the policies and practices of Middle School. We help them identify strengths, areas for growth, and ways they can contribute to the class. We increase their focus on service.