# Westminster Christian School (Florida)

Westminster Christian School is a private PK3–12 Calvinist school in Palmetto Bay, Florida. WCS is governed by a board of directors—13 people (mostly current parents, although some have been former faculty) elected by parents of current enrollees. It is operated by a Head of School who is hired by the Board.
Though the school is Calvinist by charter, its students come from a wide variety of denominations, including Presbyterian, Southern Baptist, Catholic, and Orthodox Christian. The parents of students are required to be active members at their local church (as evidenced by a letter from their pastor), and most of the students consider themselves to be Christians.
It is located on 31 acres in the Village of Palmetto Bay, near the Charles Deering Estate.
Westminster Christian School added a new Student Activities Center in 2009, a new Middle School/High School Science Building in 2011, a new Elementary School Building in 2013, and the TIDE Center, a classroom building focused on technology, innovation, design and engineering in 2017. Also, in 2017, Westminster completed the Gutierrez Family Field, which provides additional practice and competition space for the school's growing and accomplished athletic program. In 2019, the WorldWonder Nature Center was added for students in kindergarten through fifth grade convene to study, celebrate, discuss, and piece together the lessons gained in their journeys through WorldWonder. The expansive learning studio boasts glass walls to the south, which allows students to overlook majestic oaks and grounds brimming with areas to be discovered. Preschool students interact with the WorldWonder curriculum at The Discovery Barn, another feature of Westminster Elementary School's curriculum. The Lighthouse finished construction in the fall of 2020, ahead of schedule and contains roughly 650 seats. It was designed to be a performing arts center.

## History

Around the start of the 20th century Jules Vroon, a two-year-old boy from a conservative Calvinistic family, emigrated from Dinteloord, the Netherlands to the United States to grow up in Michigan's Christian schools where all subjects were taught from a Christian perspective. During the Depression, Vroon, then a husband and father, moved his company to Florida. When he found no Christian schools like those he knew as a boy, he shared his vision to bring Christian education to south Florida with friends at Shenandoah Presbyterian Church. Westminster Christian School opened in 1961 with four teachers and twelve students.
The school was formerly located in the census-designated place of Cutler until the incorporation of Palmetto Bay on September 10, 2002.

## Athletics

WCS competes in the Florida High School Athletic Association. WCS' mascot name is the "Warriors." The athletic booster club is called the "Chiefs." The school colors are Green and White. Former WCS women's softball coach Scott Doan is one of the winningest coaches in the history of Miami-Dade County.
WCS may be most famous for its baseball program and fine arts – especially in choir and string orchestra. WCS is the home to the 1992 and 1996 USA Today National Champion baseball teams, and won several FHSAA state championships under the direction of former coach Rich Hofman. The 1996 team adorned the cover of one of the first Team Cheerios boxes, and notable baseball alumni include World Series winners Alex Rodriguez and Doug Mientkiewicz. The orchestra has taken first place in several national competitions, as well as superior ratings in district and state competitions. It was invited to play at Carnegie Hall in 2002 and 2006, and has also toured Europe.

## Notable alumni

* J. P. Arencibia, former MLB catcher (Toronto Blue Jays)
* J. D. Arteaga, head coach of the Miami Hurricanes baseball team
* Bill Henderson, 1st round pick 1987 MLB June Amateur Draft, former MiLB catcher (Detroit Tigers)
* Jayden Higgins, college football wide receiver (Eastern Kentucky Colonels, Iowa State Cyclones)
* Oscar Isaac, actor
* Mickey Lopez, former MLB infielder (Seattle Mariners)
* Víctor Mederos, MLB pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels
* Doug Mientkiewicz, former MLB player (Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers)
* Dan Perkins, former MLB pitcher (Minnesota Twins)
* Derek Phillips, stage, screen, and television actor
* Alex Rodriguez, former MLB infielder (Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees)
* MJ Melendez, MLB catcher and outfielder for the Kansas City Royals