As a Cambridge International Center, Westwood Middle School supplements the middle school Sunshine State Standards with the Cambridge Checkpoint Curriculum.  The Checkpoint Curriculum encompasses a variety of international learning standards for children 11-14 in preparation for Cambridge International Examinations at the high school level. It is designed to cover core content necessary for study towards an advanced high school diploma such as the Advanced Subsidiary Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma.

Cambridge coursework at Westwood is available in reading, math, and science in grades 6-8. The program is designed to provide the rigor desired by the most highly motivated and achieving middle school students. 

The Cambridge course sequence is as follows:

Sixth Grade
Adv. Reading
PreAlgebra
Adv. Earth Science

Seventh Grade
Adv. Reading
Algebra
Adv. Life Science

Eighth Grade
Creative Writing
Algebra 1 Honors
Adv. Physical Science

Cambridge students are required to participate in all three Cambridge level classes.  Students who are gifted are served in Advanced Language Arts and Advanced Social Studies.  Students also take an exploratory class which may include band, Spanish, art, physical education, or technology.

Important Information

Application Process: Applications are currently available on the Internet and in the front office.  THE APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED. PLEASE SUBMIT AN APPLICATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. SEATS WILL BE FILLED ON A FIRST COME - FIRST SERVED BASIS. The following information must be included in the application:

• Application form
• Copy of most current report card
• Copy of most recent FCAT scores, including Criterion-Referenced Test scores (Levels 1-5), and Norm-Referenced Test scores (Stanine 1-9) OR other applicable standardized test scores (CAT, ITBS, etc.)
• Stamped, self-addressed envelope

Minimum Requirements: 

• 3.25 cumulative GPA on most recent report card
• Stanine score of 7, 8, or 9 in math and reading on most recent FCAT Norm-Referenced Test (NRT)
• Level 4 or 5 on FCAT Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT)
• Satisfactory conduct and attendance.

Timeline:

         February 4, 2008            Open House 6:00 in the Westwood Cafeteria
         February 15, 2008          Applications postmarked by this date
         March 7, 2008                Acceptance letters to parents by this date
         March 21, 2008              Commitment letters to school by this date

Shadowing Opportunities:  Interested applicants are invited to shadow a current Cambridge sixth grader for one day between January 22, 2008 and March 7, 2008.  Please complete the enclosed shadowing application with preferred date and submit to Lisa Peterson no later than February 29, 2008.

Contact Information:  Please refer to our website for more information.  You may also contact Lisa Peterson, Assistant Principal for Curriculum, at (352) 955-6718 or petersls@gm.sbac.edu.

**NOTE: Cambridge at Westwood is not a district magnet program. It is designed for students assigned to Westwood either by their address, school choice approval, or zoning exception. Please contact the zoning office at 955-7700 for more information.**