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Middle School

Finding Your Way, Guided by Growth

Beyond the rigors of academics, your Middle School student will find themselves navigating a period of intense emotional, physiological, and social transition.

Woodward teachers, coaches, and counselors understand the unique needs of adolescents during this period and prioritize a holistic approach to learning. We also emphasize finding common ground and understanding while seeking to learn about each other’s differences. This stable and supportive environment enables your child to achieve optimal academic performance while giving them the tools they need to step into the bodies and minds of young adults.

Respecting ourselves, each other, our school and our world is the Woodward Way.

students helping each other with classwork

Academics

At Woodward your Middle School student will be able to mix and match the level of challenge for their courses to help them flourish in areas where they have strong aptitude and to get support in areas where they need more reinforcement. We take the time to get to know your child and calibrate their curriculum level so they can grow to their fullest potential. If your child is particularly strong in sciences, we want to make sure they are placed at a more intensive level with our honors preparatory track. But perhaps they need extra reinforcement in English? We can support them there, too, with our college preparatory or enriched preparatory tracks, designed to keep them aligned with their peers while building their self-confidence in the subject. It’s a balancing act to get it right, but at Woodward, we’ll meet your child where they are and give them the tools they need to succeed in school and in life.

Explore our interactive curriculum guide.

 

middle school students dressed in their house colors

Find Your House, Find Your Home

To help foster a sense of support and belonging, your Middle School student will join one of one of six constellation-inspired “houses.” As in Harry Potter, your child will have the opportunity to earn points for their house by demonstrating academic excellence, character, school spirit, and outstanding performance. In addition to encouraging healthy competition, the houses also inspire students to come together and look out for each other.

 

STEAM

Your child will enjoy a broad range of STEAM opportunities in the Middle School. All 7th graders take a dedicated STEAM course for a term in which they apply design thinking to solve real-world challenges. Students draw upon knowledge gleaned from their math, science, and art courses to create functional prototypes in various media that they then test and evaluate. STEAM is naturally integrated into science and math courses, and those who take 3D art use computer-aided design (CAD) to create and 3D print art pieces. Both 7th and 8th graders can take yearlong robotics courses, and 8th graders can specialize in computer science with App and Game Design and Computer Applications courses. STEAM cocurriculars include Environmental Club, Math Team, Robotics Club, Robotics Team, and Tech Ninjas.

student looking through a microscope

 

middle school student in dance class

Cocurriculars

From Debate to Foreign Film Club to Robotics Team, there are a range of options for your Middle School student to indulge their passions. Whether your student is interested in the environment, religion, a world language, government, art, film, or more, Woodward has something that will cater to your child’s interests (or help them discover new ones!). Through these cocurricular experiences, our students deepen their understanding and learn to collaborate with peers who have different philosophies, talents, and interests.

Explore our full range of cocurricular opportunities.

Maymester

As an Middle School student, you will participate in Maymester during the last week of the school year and choose from a variety of unique courses that provide real-world learning opportunities. Designed as a short-term enrichment program, Maymester is anchored in the philosophy of experiential education to prepare you for life beyond the gates of Woodward. You can choose from cross-disciplinary courses—from Zoology, to Sports Marketing, to Ancient Civilizations and Cultures, and much more—where you’ll be exposed to different ideas, cultures, community, and relationships through a memorable hands-on learning experience.

Learn more about Middle School Maymester.

“I think Woodward is the best school for me because of how diverse it is. The fact that I can be around so many different people means a lot to me. I love learning about people's experiences. I also love the numerous opportunities that Woodward provides. Everyone has the chance to find something they love.
The people I want to be around are here." Middle School student

group of students smiling with a thumbs up

Respecting Ourselves & Others

Middle School can be a turbulent time for many students, when feelings and attitudes about themselves and those around them begin to crystalize. It is a critical moment to help your child find a path toward community, compassion, and learning how to treat themselves and others with respect and compassion. Woodward’s racial, ethnic, religious, and geographic diversity in terms of its student body and faculty, along with a curriculum and culture based on principles of shared experience and learning from one another, will help ensure that your Middle School student will know who they are and how they fit into the world around them.

teacher helping student in art class

Arts

The Middle School arts program is diverse and emphasizes recognizing and developing your student’s artistic abilities. Your student may choose from performing arts options in symphonic, marching, or jazz bands, small ensembles, and private instruction. Choir, offered as an elective throughout the year, develops your student’s sight-reading skills while exposing them to music from around the world. If your child is a dancer, our program offers a range of instruction in ballet, modern, and jazz techniques. And our national standard drama program will expose your student to acting, directing, and dramatic literature.

Meanwhile, Woodward offers a broad and challenging visual arts program housed in a fully-equipped arts center that rivals college-level facilities. Your student will learn steps of conceptual development as well as various art production methods while gaining an understanding of the historical context of art, methods of presentation and critique, and professions in the arts.

 

middle school student running

 

Two students posing with a basketball

P.E. & Athletics

Your student will be imbued with the fundamental skills and knowledge to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. P.E. classes comprise a balanced curriculum of individual and team sports and fitness development, including basic cardiovascular training, strength training, fitness testing, and agility activities. Your student also has the option to participate in field sports, net/target sports, invasion sports, aquatics, and gymnastics/tumbling.

Woodward takes a holistic approach in its athletics programs, working to develop your student-athlete on and off the field. They will have an opportunity to challenge themselves through sport and to build upon characteristics of leadership and citizenship, while cultivating teamwork, self-discipline, and responsibility. And while they are building those lifelong skills, your student will be practicing and playing in state-of-the-art facilities under the guidance of coaching staff invested in helping your child achieve their highest level of performance while ensuring their overall well-being.

Learn more about Athletics

Middle school student on another student back

 

Transition Learning Support Program

Everyone learns differently. The Transition program is designed to accommodate your child’s mild to moderate learning challenges via more specialized instruction in smaller classes, a faculty composed of specialized experts, and proven pedagogical approaches for every academic area. Your student will tackle the same demanding college-preparatory curriculum as their peers in the mainstream track, but will do so while cultivating the tools and strategies needed to convert different learning preferences into confidence, social and emotional stability, and tremendous academic success. 

Learn more about our renowned Transition Learning Program.

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FAQs

Our Stories

Hear from our students about finding their Woodward Way.

"When I grow up I would like to be a police officer because I'm very brave and I want to save the day and help other people."

Woodward North 

Dinara

Woodward North 

Woodward North third grader Dinara says one of the things she most appreciates about her school is how welcoming it has been. Born in the United Kingdom, Dinara had only been at the school for a few months, but said it already feels like home. “I love my teachers. They have given me such a warm welcome into Woodward North, especially because I came from a whole other country.”

She said it probably has something to do with the school’s guiding ethos as she understands it. “To me the Woodward Way means everyone is respectful to each other, no matter what.”

Dinara’s favorite spots on the Woodward North campus are the school’s Multiplex (“It's very big and has lots of room for me to run around in!”) and the big stage in the school’s Art Center: “When I perform there I feel like a real performer.”

Her favorite subjects? “I like math because it gets me really thinking. I also like P.E. because I really like playing sports,” she said.

Outside of class Dinara enjoys art club, dance (ballet and jazz), and orchestra, where she plays the violin. She admitted that while she loves the violin, “it can be hard putting your fingers on the strings and knowing all the notes.”

Down the road, Dinara said she plans to put her care for others into action. “When I grow up I would like to be a police officer because I'm very brave and I want to save the day and help other people.”

Characterizing her new school as diverse, respectful, and kind, she summed up her feelings thusly: “I think Woodward is the best school for me because all the teachers are very nice and the children are very good friends to me. It's just a very nice school in general!”

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"At Woodward, each one of my teachers has made me feel that I matter and that what I can achieve has no bounds."

Middle School

Calvin

Middle School 

Seventh grader Calvin wasn’t feeling challenged at his previous school. During a summer program, he met a Woodward alumnus who told him all about his experience at the Academy.  

“I had the opportunity to participate in a summer program at Vanderbilt University where I stumbled into Woodward alum Alan Wright ’21,” Calvin said. “He told me that there were many rigorous course selections and great teachers to help me grow at Woodward. Alan said that it was the education he received at Woodward that prepared him for Vanderbilt. Once I got to Woodward, I soon realized that all the things Alan told me about Woodward were true. I have enjoyed Woodward so far, and I’ve never looked back.”

Calvin said his teachers value his opinion and care about him. “I also feel that my teachers push me to be great. I have learned to trust them, and I realize that whatever they are telling me to do is going to benefit me. At Woodward, each one of my teachers has made me feel that I matter and that what I can achieve has no bounds.”

He’s especially inspired by his math teacher, Ugarhon Serrette. “Even though math is one of the hardest subjects, Mr. Serrette is always so calm and relaxed. Whenever things get hard,  he always encourages us to persevere and assures us that we will eventually grasp the concept, which fosters confidence in our math skills.”

In his first year at Woodward, Calvin joined the Middle School’s debate and baseball teams. ”When I am not doing school activities, I play travel baseball, trade cryptocurrency, read, hang out with my friends, and spend time with my family,” he said. 

Calvin described a typical school day for him:

“When I wake up, I get my thoughts together and pray with my brother. Because I live a little distance away from the school, my mom insists that I am downstairs by 7:45. So, I eat breakfast in the car, while one of my parents drives me to school. 

When I get to school, I socialize with my friends in the quad, go to my locker, drop off my bags, grab my books for first period, and get prepared to focus on school. After my first two classes, I go to community time, to my third class, and then study hall where I work on any homework assignments right before lunch. Then comes one of the best parts of the day–lunch and time to socialize. After I finish eating, I play basketball on the courts with my friends, and then we go inside for another two other classes before the school day officially ends. After school, I usually attend tutorials to get help with any unanswered homework questions. 

When tutorial ends, I go to Middle School baseball practice or my travel baseball practice. When I get  home, I do all of my homework, study for any upcoming assessments, do all of my personal hygiene, and complete my evening exercise routine. Finally, I lay out my clothes for the next day, and I go to sleep.”

Calvin said going to Woodward has been life-changing. “I think Woodward is the best school for me because I fit in socially and  feel academically challenged. The teachers really take care of me and care about my growth.”

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"Woodward gives me guardrails and guidance to figure out who I want to be as a person, and find out where I will succeed best in the world..."

Middle School

Reese

Middle School 

In her first year at Woodward, Reese discovered a place where she could follow her own unique path, with guidance from caring teachers, surrounded by a diverse community of new friends.

She came to Woodward from a smaller Montessori school, seeking a wider range of opportunities to grow. “This was my first year at Woodward, and it was amazing! When I toured here, I saw all the opportunities that were available for students and knew that Woodward would be a great fit. It took a lot of work to learn study habits and how to succeed with a different form of curriculum. I am happy to say that I ended last semester with a 4.0, and I am so excited for my Upper School journey.”

Reese said she loves her Middle School teachers. “They are always there for me no matter what; I appreciate their patience with us as students and always believing in me.” Her English teacher, Mrs. [Lauren] VanCamp, was especially inspirational. “She taught me how to be a stronger writer and a stronger person. Every day she would welcome me with a smile on her face and always made sure our class was engaged and focused. She was always there when I needed help with classwork, or if I needed someone to talk to. The lessons she taught me are ones that I will value forever.”

Alongside her academic path, Reese joined the cheerleading squad in eighth grade and will be on the varsity cheerleading team in Upper School. She felt welcomed and found it easy to make new friends in her first WA year. “I love the diversity among the students and teachers and how everyone works together to create a safe space for all students,” she said.

“Woodward gives me guardrails and guidance to figure out who I want to be as a person, and find out where I will succeed best in the world,” Reese added. “It means a lot to me that I have a safe and nurturing environment that allows me to grow into the person I want to be!”

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"My dream is to major in nuclear engineering and work in the energy field finding new ways to produce energy."

Upper School 

Steven

Upper School 

Woodward sophomore Steven has attended Woodward since Pre-K. He recalls countless moments on campus like waypoints in his life: The time in 4th grade when he first held a string bass, which he still plays to this day. Stepping onto the parade field for soccer tryouts in 7th grade, fulfilling his dream to make the team. And one of his very first interactions with the Upper School was his first day of cross country. “I have loved every run after that,” he said.

Like any student, Steven has his favorite subjects. But he’s quick to point out that the Woodward approach to learning ensures that he’s always engaged, regardless of the subject. “Every teacher I have had at Woodward Academy has taught me in a way that makes me interested in the material and want to be the best I can be,” he said. “Every day I come to school, I know that my teachers will greet me with a smile on their faces and will teach me something new and interesting.”

Steven cites his cross country coach, Nicholas Widener, and his history teacher, Kevin Henderson, as the two faculty members who most inspire him personally and academically. “Coach Widener’s dedication to running and to the cross country team is very admirable. He is always ready to help us get a little better each day and keep us on track. Mr. Henderson inspired me with his positive mood every class. He always greeted us with a smile and made every lesson very interesting, making his class a highlight of the day.”

When he’s not in class or running cross country, Steven participates in Honor Guard, soccer, French club, chess club, Honor Council, Catholic Club, and serves as a peer leader. It all makes for a full calendar, which Steven says has imparted a lesson of its own: “Some of the most important lessons I have learned at Woodward are about how to use my time wisely. Participating in sports and clubs is fun but takes up a lot of time throughout the day, and I still need to get my homework done.”

“Another important lesson I have learned is to be kind to everyone,” Steven continued. “If you are nice to everyone, it could make their day a little bit better, and it creates a very happy community.” Along those same lines, Steven says his friends at Woodward have broadened his horizons in innumerable ways, ranging from new study techniques to learning about different holidays they celebrate. “I also have learned how to disagree but still be friends at the end of the day,” he said.

Steven’s college plans involve attending a technology and engineering school. “My dream is to major in nuclear engineering and work in the energy field finding new ways to produce energy,” he said.

Casting his mind back from Pre-K to this moment, Steven said Woodward has helped him become the best version of himself. “Over time I have really come out of my shell and become a part of the community. I used to be very shy when I was younger, but through all the community meetings and discussions in classes throughout the years, I have become more confident.”

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Primary school students wearing fun hat

"There are really good teachers, a lot of fun activities, and a lot of fun things to do on the playground."

Primary School

Lil

Primary School 

Here are a few of Lil’s favorite things:

“My dogs, my parents, and my grandparents, and I love my roller skates, and I love reading.” 

She also loves going to school at Woodward Academy. “There are really good teachers, a lot of fun activities, and a lot of fun things to do on the playground.” 

Lil’s Mom, Stephanie, said her daughter leaves school happy each day. “She is supported in a way that she has self-esteem, and is granted the space to blossom into the incredible kid she is,” Stephanie said. “Her energetic desire for learning is matched by her inspiring, child-centered teachers.”

As Lil moves ahead to the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools on her Woodward journey, her Mom looks forward to observing the continued fostering of Lil’s curiosity. “She received important building blocks for learning at the Primary School that she will take with her in her lifelong learning journey.” 

Lil’s Mom also anticipates a journey filled with a sense of community. “There is a sense at Woodward that all are welcome. The Parent Community is comprised of folks from all over the city, coming together in a place that gives our kids exactly what they need.”

As for Lil, she's already looking ahead to what she might want to be when she grows up. "Maybe a chef. A dancer. An actor. An artist. I could do all of those but maybe not at the same time." To other students looking into attending Woodward, she would say, "You will love it here."

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"You learn more actively. The teachers don't just teach; they do it in a fun way."

Woodward North 

Max

Woodward North 

Woodward North fifth grader Max is a kid who tells it like it is. When asked how he feels about his teachers, he’s diplomatic: “They're really nice. They're strict—in a good way. They're great!”

Thoughtful and active, Max says his favorite times of the day are recess—where he enjoys football on the large athletic field, four square, and hanging out with his friends—and STEAM. “We're working on a project on our computers and that's pretty fun.”

Max espouses a uniquely philosophical perspective on the Woodward Way: “To me the Woodward Way means that everything has a purpose and everything has emotions and you should respect that.” He says he feels like he gets that respect from his teachers and friends at Woodward, and tries to give it in kind.

“Loyalty comes with a kind of price,” he says, musing on what he’s learned about friendship. “If your friend goes somewhere and you're really great friends, and you've been friends for a long time, you may want to follow them. And if they're like way out there and you want to be there for them, you have to decide if you want to go out there too, and what that means.”

Max says maybe his favorite place at school is homeroom with Ms. Park, “because it's peaceful and my homeroom teacher is pretty cool.”

Outside of school Max enjoys playing lacrosse, and says someday he’d like to play professionally. If that doesn’t pan out, he says he plans to be a videogame designer.

Asked why he thinks Woodward North is the best school for him, Max says he appreciates how Woodward North goes through sixth grade and prepares kids for the transition to Middle School on the Main Campus. “And you can learn more actively,” he says. “The teachers don't just teach; they do it in a fun way.”

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"Woodward has shaped me into the person I am today, through the amazing teachers and staff guiding me through every aspect of my life even beyond academic work."

Upper School

Iyla

Upper School 

If anyone knows her way around Woodward Academy, it’s Iyla. Having started at Woodward North for Pre-K, then joining Main Campus in 7th grade, the Upper Schooler views Woodward as her second home: “I have been here for 13 years and do not regret one bit.”

“The Woodward Way is all about respect for me–respecting myself, each other, our school, and our world,” she says.

Among the most important skills Iyla says she has learned at Woodward is time management. “It helps me to balance my life between school, friends, and free time. I can now confidently manage my time to maximize opportunities.”

But academics are not just about getting from point A to point B as efficiently as possible, and Iyla says her love for Woodward is as much about the support provided by her teachers. “All of my teachers care about me and make me feel comfortable. Every teacher wants me to grow to my fullest potential.”

She says she is especially fond of her English teacher, Ms. Trumble. “She inspires me because she always has a great, positive outlook and never fails to make everyone in class smile. I admire her perspective on life.”

Outside of school Iyla enjoys competitive dancing. A member of the National Honors Society as well as the Spanish National Honors Society, she also serves as a peer leader and an admissions ambassador.

Iyla says she plans to study exercise science in college and hopes to become a physical therapist.

“Woodward has shaped me into the person I am today, through the amazing teachers and staff guiding me through every aspect of my life even beyond academic work,“ Iyla says.

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"His teachers have been incredible at helping build his maturity, confidence, and leadership skills."

Primary School

Khalil

Primary School 

Khalil loves kindergarten at the Primary School, where he enjoys cocurriculars like music, art, and P.E., especially playing basketball. He is happy that his cousin and his sister also attend Woodward and that he’s made a lot of friends in class (especially his best friend, Arya).

“I’m basically the brother,” he said. “She’s 7, and I’m 6. She’s in second grade. I’ve been here for a lot of years. This is not my first year.” 

As products of public schools, his parents said they approached the idea of sending their children to private school with careful consideration. “The benefits of an independent school were clear to us: smaller classrooms, additional resources, longer faculty/staff tenure, and enhanced academic rigor,” said his mom, Zahra.

She and her husband wanted their kids to be part of a diverse community. “Woodward Academy struck the right balance. We appreciated the idea of a school with not just racial but also socioeconomic diversity; one that puts significant emphasis on developing the whole child with an environment that promotes social emotional learning, leadership, and empathy. All of this resonated with us in a strong way.”

“We don’t want our kids to just be academically and professionally successful. We want them to also live happy, meaningful lives with a sense of purpose and contribution to society,” she added. “This is why we felt like Woodward was the right addition to our village.”

His mom said Khalil has grown and thrived in his first two years at Woodward. “We see it, our friends and family see it, but most importantly he sees it in himself. His teachers have been incredible at helping build his maturity, confidence, and leadership skills. As those soft skills got stronger, the hard skill improvement came so much easier. His vocabulary, fine motor skills, and spelling all went from slightly below grade level to well above grade level in just the first year.”

Along with Khalil’s sister Khaliya, his cousin, Sophia, attends the Academy. For the family, the feeling of community at Woodward is important. “It is truly the best of Atlanta. We have made lifelong friends who now feel more like family.”

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"She has been fortunate to have teachers who are invested in her success and whose classes she enjoys."

Lower School

Camryn

Lower School 

Sixth grader Camryn’s favorite place is the library at the Lower School, which makes sense given her self-professed affinity for reading. She also loves art and basketball and hanging out with her friends at school.

Camryn started attending Woodward in kindergarten, after her family moved to Atlanta. Her mom, Althea, said after a visit to the Primary School, they knew immediately that it was the right school for their daughters. (Camryn's younger sister, Camille, also attends Woodward.)

“It was important to us to find a school where our children would not only excel but also flourish,” she said. “We wanted a school that had a holistic approach to education; embodying the balance between academics, the arts, and personal development. After touring the Primary School, we felt a strong sense of community and believed the Academy aligned with our goals and values as a family.”  

Althea said they had been looking for a school that acknowledges and celebrates that each child is an individual. “Our girls have very different personalities, and we wanted a school that did not try to fit them into a particular mold; rather one that would honor who they are, who they are becoming, and encourage them to be the best person they can be. We have had some incredible administrators and teachers over the years who have really partnered with us, as parents, to support our kids in being successful students and happy young people.”     

The family looks forward to the school years ahead in Middle and Upper School. “Woodward provides a safe place for our girls to explore not only academics, but also the arts and other extracurricular activities. We believe they will graduate from Woodward as well-rounded, global citizens prepared to be positive forces in this world.”  

The Bradleys also value the diversity of the Woodward community. “Woodward brings together a collection of families, administrators, and faculty from all over the world, from various socioeconomic backgrounds and belief systems, with the same ultimate objective—the education of our children. The culture of acceptance, respect, and understanding that the community embodies enriches the overall experience, not only for the children but for the whole family as well.”   

Camryn has flourished at Woodward. “She has had a positive experience,” her mom said. “She has been fortunate to have teachers who are invested in her success and whose classes she enjoys.”

Along with basketball intramurals, Camryn has explored yoga and animation in Lower School, and she looks forward each year to attending Woodward Academy Summer Camps. “My friends always go to WA summer camps too,” she said.

What would Camryn say to kids her age who are considering attending the Academy? “Woodward is a great place where you can make new friends,” she said. 

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"Connor really loves coding and has his sights set on computer science or engineering as a career, but that is not his only passion."

Lower School

Connor

Lower School 

Connor really loves coding and has his sights set on computer science or engineering as a career, but that is not his only passion. He is a well-rounded student with a wide range of interests he’s exploring at Woodward Academy.

“Around the pandemic, I was stuck in the house with nothing to do,” Connor said. “My Dad was on virtual meetings, so he got me this book on coding ideas and tutorials. I spent the entire pandemic coding and I’ve been passionate about it ever since.”

Connor entered Woodward Academy in fourth grade. In the Lower School, he has had opportunities to practice coding by participating in First Lego League. He looks forward to participating in robotics in Middle and Upper School as well. “I probably want to be a software engineer or computer scientist, something along those lines,” he said.

Connor also plays violin in the Lower School Orchestra, and he is into tennis and archery. He says he can explore everything that interests him at the Academy. “Woodward is a great school with amazing opportunities. At my old school, they really were limited. This school has given me time to do what I’m passionate about.”

When he was asked to provide three words that describe Woodward, Connor took a few minutes to think about it. “Vibrant,” he said. “I’d also say ‘free’ and ‘open.’ You’re able to let your passions guide you.” Connor asked to add one more word, because of the great friends he’s made at Woodward:  “community.” 

“It’s going great for me,” he said. “I’ve made lots of friends. Boone, David, and Carter are friends I can rely on.”

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Meet Our Team

Jessica Parsons

Titles: Principal

Shannon Jackson

Titles: Asst. Principal & Teacher, English

Meredith Draper

Titles: School Counselor

Naima Williams

Titles: School Counselor

Explore Further

Your child’s education is a unique journey of growth, enlightenment, and exploration as they find their way into the world. At Woodward, we provide the compass for that journey.