09 Feb A Word From Dr. Satterly—February 9, 2023
Dear WA Community,
Some days, especially when I am clear-headed—typically, that is a euphemism for having had my morning coffee—I drive onto campus and reflect on those who have gone before. The Westminster Academy we all enjoy today hasn’t always looked like this one. Frankly, it hasn’t always been on the corner of 56th and Federal—we started in 1971 in rented facilities, including some over at the Pompano Beach horse track. At one point, the front of the school was on 22nd Avenue, and there was no west campus or swimming pool. Over the years, there have been at least seven expansions, four previous headmasters, a legion of dedicated faculty and staff, and more than 4,000 graduates.
We need not go all the way back to 1971 to see God’s good favor and providence. Just a few short years ago, I can still remember a leaky roof, low enrollment, challenging finances, aging classrooms, and limited professional development opportunities. With a history spanning over five decades, our beloved school has experienced lean and hard times as well as times of great blessing. All have been a testimony to God’s faithfulness. He has raised up a cadre of faculty and staff, board members, and families that have held firm, and they carried forward the banner first raised in 1971.
In recent years, God has added to that cadre and built a team to maintain and advance our mission. By God’s grace, we are all beginning to see the fruit of that labor. We celebrate being named the #1 Christian High School in Broward County four years in a row by Niche. There has been significant capital investment back into the campus with more to come and significant investment in our school’s most valuable asset—its faculty. Last year we launched a multi-year compensation program to attract and retain the very best Christian educators. Our school enjoys a much stronger financial position and has pivoted toward enhancing both our academic and spiritual formation programs. We understand the significance of culture and are working to shape a school where students are known and loved. We want Westminster Academy to feature a big school program with a small school community. Most of all, we want God to be glorified.
As we thank God for His favor and recognize these accomplishments, perhaps two milestones highlight progress and offer encouragement for the future. The first was Westminster Academy being admitted to CESA (Council of Educational Standards and Accountability). Currently, CESA member schools number about 50 across the county, with only three in Florida, and we are the only one in South Florida. This is a highly selective group and represents the recognition of our peers. The second is enrollment. Actually, the more telling statistic is our re-enrollment rate. That metric is an indicator of overall organizational performance and health. Our challenge goal set five years ago was 92%, and we have noted incremental progress toward that goal. I am pleased to report that after a one-month re-enrollment season, we currently stand at nearly 95%! This news was received by our leadership team singing the Doxology!
For those of us who are part of the current Westminster Academy community, I think it is important to remember our legacy. We need to be reminded that in 1971 a band of pioneers dreamt and prayed about each of us. They hoped and longed for something they would not have, even for their own children. They had a vision. They sacrificially gave of their time, talent, and treasure. They started a school dedicated to serious academics and an unwavering commitment to faith formation. We are their prodigy. We are evidence of God’s faithfulness and provision. Their dedication gives fuel for our future, and that future is bright with promise.
To God be the Glory!
Dr. Joel Satterly
Headmaster