College Preparation

WYHS believes that preparing for college begins the first day a student enters high school. WYHS takes multiple steps to ensure that its students will be college-ready.

A challenging College Preparatory Curriculum is the most important element of a student's high school portfolio. WYHS focuses on the courses which colleges feel are essential preparation for higher learning, offering them in a variety of levels so all students can be appropriately challenged. This includes offering multiple Advanced Placement courses in all four major subject areas, on which our students have had a high rate of success.

English- WYHS' excellent English language and literature curriculum is focused on preparing students with the sophisticated reading and writing necessary to succeed in Advanced Placement and college English courses, as well as other subjects involving analysis and writing.

History- Our History curriculum covers a wide array of subjects. It begins with the study Ancient Civilization in 9th grade followed by Modern European History in 10th, American History in 11th, and both classic and modern Jewish History in 12th. Many students opt to take AP European and/or AP US History, which are offered in 10th and 11th grade respectively. Emphasis is again on critical thinking and writing skills as well as strong factual knowledge.

Math- WYHS students take four years of college preparatory math. Students begin with Geometry in 9th grade, moving on to Algebra I or II, depending on their middle school background. Algebra II is followed by Pre-Calculus or Trigonometry, with advanced students moving on to Calculus (including AP Calculus AB and BC) or AP Statistics. Both basic skills and mathematical reasoning are components of the math department curriculum.

Science- Students at WYHS take Biology in 9th grade and Chemistry in 10th grade, followed by an array of choices in 11th and 12th, including Physics, Environmental Science, and Psychology. We offer AP courses in Biology, Chemistry and Physics on a rotating basis, depending on student interest, along with AP Psychology. Both hands-on and virtual labs supplement the students' mastery of the subject matter.

College Guidance begins in 9th grade at WYHS.

Preparation for the SAT and ACT college entrance exams starts even before a student begins at WYHS. Applicants take the SSAT, a SAT-like exam designed for private high school aspirants. All freshmen, sophomores and juniors take the PSAT exam in the fall. In addition, all Sophomores take the PLAN exam. When the school receives the students' scores, English and Math teachers meet to compare the student's scores with their class grades and participation, then give their students advice about additional preparation. Sophomores review the PLAN Science questions as well, while all juniors attend a workshop on how to succeed on the ACT Science section. In terms of guidance, freshmen meet with freshmen advisors, all sophomores and juniors meet with the Director of College Preparatory Studies, and all juniors and seniors meet with the Director of College Guidance. In this way, all are well prepared for their college applications senior year.