The Winston School Profile: 2012-13

Click here to download printable version (pdf)

The Winston School is a coeducational, college preparatory, independent day school located in Del Mar, CA. The Winston School today enrolls 100 students in grades 4-12. The student-faculty ratio is 8 to 1 and the average class size is 8. 30% of Winston’s students are girls.

History
The Winston School was founded in 1988 by a group of visionary pediatricians, led by Dr. John Richards and parents in the San Diego, California area who realized that the needs of many bright children who learned differently were not being met in traditional settings.

Philosophy
The Winston School allows students to lead successful and happy lives by lifting spirits, challenging minds and cultivating creativity.

Accreditation and Certification
The Winston School is accredited by the Western Association of Colleges and Schools and is certified by the State of California Department of Education.

Governance
The Winston School is an independent, non-sectarian school governed by a Board of Trustees. There are currently ten trustees whose current president is Mark D. Kimball.

Curriculum
As a college preparatory school the curriculum has been developed to reflect that central purpose of the mission. Honors courses are offered in English. Advanced Placement courses are offered whenever individual students demonstrate preparation for study at the college level in a given discipline. Spanish is offered to fulfill foreign language requirements

Technology and Support Services
Each student has access to iPads and software to support academic requirements in the classroom. If contractually agreed, Winston offers counseling, speech and language and occupational therapy on site. Tutorial classes are offered to help students focus on completing work.

Visual and Performing Arts Program
Winston emphasizes the development of creativity by offering electives in Art, Music, Drama and Digital Media. Regular assemblies bring professional performers to inspire student efforts and local artists display work in Winston’s public spaces.

Athletic Program
The Winston School offers co-educational varsity softball and basketball and competes with other area schools during the regular school day. PE is available as an elective and credit is accepted for appropriately supervised outside programs.

Activity Program
All students participate in an activity program whose offerings have included photography, dog-walking, intramural sports, chess, cooking, gingerbread construction, musical composition, gardening, American Sign Language, mural painting and fashion design.

WorkAbility Program
Students who qualify may participate in the WorkAbility Program which affords a first paid work experience and provides students with other training helpful in the working world.

Graduation and College Matriculation
98% of Winston students have passed the CAHSEE since its inception. 95% of Winston School graduates are acepted to two or four-year colleges. Among the colleges they have recently attended are: California College of the Arts, Cal Poly Pomona, Catholic University of America, Lewis & Clark College, Linfield College, Point Loma Nazarene University, Roanoke College, San Diego State University, University of Arizona, University of San Diego, Whittier College

Graduation Requirements
Students must earn a minimum of 44 semester credits in grades nine through twelve to graduate; Thirty of these credits must be in academic courses. The minimum requirements in each discipline are:

  • English – 4 years
  • Science – 3 years (2 lab sciences)
  • History – 4 years
  • Mathematics – 3 years (Including Algebra I and Geometry)
  • Fine Arts – 1 year
  • Physical Education – 2 years
  • Foreign Language – 1 year (or 1 year Fine Arts; 1 sem. Practical Arts)

College Entrance Requirements
College entrance requirements vary; it should be understood that meeting the high school graduation requirements described above does not guarantee entrance to specific colleges. The school staff guides students and families to select a pattern of classes appropriate for likely post-secondary plans.

Grading Scale and Policy on Class Rank

Grade Range Quality Points
A 93-100 4.0
A- 90-92 3.7
B+ 87-89 3.3
B 83-86 3.0
B- 80-82 2.7
C+ 77-79 2.3
C 73-76 2.0
C- 70-72 1.7
F 69 OR BELOW N/C

The Winston School does not report class rank. Because the senior class size is small, the school believes that class rank is not a meaningful predictor of a student’s college performance.

Average Test Scores Class of 2012
Students applying to four-year colleges

  • SAT CR: 600
  • SAT MATH: 573
  • SAT WR: 516

Representative College Acceptances • Classes of 2004 – 2012

California College of the Arts Landmark College
California Maritime Academy Lewis & Clark College
California Polytechnic University, Pomona Linfield College
California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo Marymount College, Palos Verdes
California State University, Bakersfield Menlo College
California State University, Channel Islands Miramar College
California State University, Chico Point Loma Nazarene University
California State University, Dominguez Hills Portland State University
California State University, Fullerton Randolph College
California State University, Long Beach Roanoke College
California State University, Monterey Bay Rochester Institute of Technology
California State University, Northridge Rocky Mountain College
California State University, Sacramento Seattle University
California State University, San Bernardino Southern Oregon University
California State University, San Marcos Southwestern College
California State University, Stanislaus University of Arizona
Humboldt State University University of California, San Diego
San Diego State University University of Nebraska
San Francisco State University University of Redlands
San Jose State University University of San Diego
Sonoma State University University of San Francisco
Catholic University of America University of South Dakota
Concordia University- Minnesota & Oregon Whittier College

The Winston School of San Diego is a registered 501(c)(3)