WPS Residential Program Option
Residential Boarding Program Details
Our school’s mission, and the responsibility of everyone of our dedicated staff, is to help students reach their fullest potential not only as students but as compassionate, responsible, and successful young men and women.
Philosophy of our Residential Program
Our opportunity to build from the ground up has enabled us to design our program around the more caring ethos of modern childcare. We have the luxury of not being bound by the more traditional aspects of residential education. Our program is founded on the values of a strong family home rather than depending largely on the benefits of peer support. Central to our theme is the facilitation of meaningful relationships between students and staff, along with facilities constructed to reflect the warmth of home. We also commit ourselves to working closely with the parents of students in our care. The unique and intimate relationship between parent and child is an essential and invaluable insight and resource when selecting strategies for development of the child here at school.
Selection of Residential Students
An essential part of achieving the goals of the School’s Residential Program is the selection of great students. Not every child is a real candidate for resident status. For the sake of both the residents themselves and the larger school community, the students selected must exhibit the values and attributes of the honor code and spirit of the school. The ideal resident is a 9th through 12th grade student who values his/her school and is excited by the opportunity to be a resident. Students must be willing to involve themselves extensively in the life of the school. They must be cooperative with staff and fellow students and open to welcoming the adults who work with them in their effort to help shape and mold them. Communication is very important. The school reserves the right to terminate the residential status of any student who fails to maintain the high standards expected.
Accommodations and Other Facilities
Students in our residential program live in spacious houses in the surrounding villages. Students share comfortable bedrooms, typically two or three to a room and eight to twelve students per house. The houses are warmly furnished and internet equipped for individual computer access for every resident. The houses have a family room, recreation room, meeting/study room, and a snack/light meal kitchen and breakfast nook for the residents to share. Televisions, entertainment systems and telephones in the recreation room make the living experience fun and comfortable. Security and smoke detection systems, as well as firefighting and first aid equipment, are installed throughout.
Each house has a live-in Housemaster who supervises the residents and is available to assist them with homework and student life.
Residential students, of course, have the entire WPS campus at their disposal – including a swimming pool, gym, weight and exercise room, running track, soccer field, tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, basketball courts, library, computer lab, art studio, music studio and much, much more. It’s like living in a country club with the very best educational resources available.
Supervision
As with school generally, we are committed to the consistent, caring, and comprehensive supervision of the students who have been entrusted to us. Not only for safety reasons but also the accomplishment of the educational and formative mission of the school requires us to always be available for our students, not just to prevent problems but to support, encourage, and assist. Each house has a resident Housemaster or Housemistress. They are highly trusted members of the WPS community selected not only for their integrity and experience but also for their dedication and ability to connect with students in a way that brings out the best in personal accomplishment and responsibility. Housemasters supervise residents in the house as well as providing advice, guidance, and schoolwork assistance.
Backing up the Housemasters are a variety of faculty members and tutors who are assigned to the residential program to provide tutoring, coaching, and other support services to students as well as backup and relief for Housemasters. These staff members report to the Director of Residential Life.
The residential staff works closely with the school faculty to help students schedule and complete homework assignments in a timely manner. This ensures that our students develop the study and time management skills that they will need in college and beyond.
Residential Life
The life of a resident student is a fun mixture of growth, learning, recreation, exploration, and development. As a school that has always taken very seriously its commitment to the whole child, we provide a comprehensive program for residents. On school days, resident students rise, and after a nutritious breakfast are transported to campus to begin their school day like all WPS students. Residences are open and staffed from the time school ends through the next morning. After school, students participate in the full range of activities and facilities available to all of our students, or they can return to their residence for a snack, homework help, or just a rest. The residents’ weekday evening schedule will vary depending on their commitments to school programs and activities such as sports games, concerts and of course, homework and downtime. Dinner time is generally together but can accommodate individual schedules when necessary. There are mandatory time periods dedicated to homework, and a pre-determined lights-out allowing for a good night’s sleep before the next morning’s first period.
Weekends and days off or half days have a varied program that incorporates fun, rest, catch-up, household chores and homework. Planned fun special events and excursions are organized depending on student interests (see below). Students can attend worship services designated by parents on the appropriate days and times.
Meals
Students will enjoy well balanced meals provided to them both in the residences and on campus. Students will have a variety of entrees to choose from, accompanied by fruits, vegetables, dairy and nutritious snacks. Students will generally take house meals together to foster companionship and house spirit.
Weekends and Away Visits
Students enjoy a variety of programmed activities on the weekend. Local attractions include world famous themed parks such as Walt Disney World, Sea World, Busch Gardens, Universal Studios, several water-parks, and more. These along with near-by tourist attractions like the Kennedy Space Center, Daytona International Speedway, local beaches, and Gator Land provide year round entertainment options for students to enjoy. Residents may also be invited to join the friends/families of local students for weekends or special trips.
Overnight Visitors
With the prior permission of the school, residents may have WPS students in good standing as daytime guests or, occasionally, as overnight guests.
Laundry
Residences are equipped with laundry facilities available to students at certain times. In addition, bi-weekly dry cleaning and wash-dry-fold pick ups are available from a local cleaner (at cost).
Personal Needs
Personal needs to residents outside of school, such as dental, doctor, or other professional appointments, airport pick-ups or drop-offs, etc. will be arranged by the school and transportation/escorts provided. The school, within the parameters set by the parents, will schedule these types of events. Costs for such professionals will be the responsibility of the parents.
An ill student will be cared for either in the residence or supervised facility, depending on the student’s needs. The school will arrange for doctor’s visits for ill students with the parents’ designated physician, and the parents will be notified immediately. Students will, of course, at all times be accompanied by a responsible adult.
For further information or to discuss application for participation in our Residential Program please contact:
Meritas Residential Programs Common Application
http://www.meritas.net/uploaded/documents/Meritas_Common_Application.pdf
http://www.meritas.net/uploaded/documents/Tuition_Schedule_-_Boarding.pdf
Windermere Preparatory School
6189 Winter Garden Vineland Road
Windermere, Florida 34786
407-905-7737 or FAX 407-905-7710
