West Side Elementary School

West Side is an excellent place for kids. They really reach the "whole child"--academically, socially, emotionally. My son is an "advanced" student and he has learned well, had many artistic and creative experiences, and learned to think critically and evaluate his own learning. The teachers are caring, supportive, and innovative; the small school atmosphere is amazing; the rural setting is ideal and lovely. True, test scores aren't given the highest priority, but to be honest, that's okay with me. I prefer my son learn to THINK and make good choices, to grow literate in many areas, and to develop a strong sense of himself as a learner--all of which he's gotten at West Side.
--Submitted by a parent

Wow. The unique and wonderful hands-on experiences my son has had here have been outstanding. He came to West Side in third grade after struggling at another school (one with high test scores, too) and his teacher turned his educational life around. He is engaged in his school work, looks forward to impressing his teacher, looks at the world with new eyes (science eyes, he calls them). The teachers at West Side value their relationships with the kids, and it shows. They care if the kids learn, they give them new ways to see learning and make their own discoveries. The principal has been great and very supportive, too. Everyone seems to be on the kids' side and the quality of this school is excellent. I would recommend it to anyone.
--Submitted by a parent

West Side isn't a bad school. However, it isn't a great school either. Sure, the people are nice, and the school is relatively small as public schools go, but the curriculum is nothing but average. If your child excels, there won't be a challenge for your youngster here...not one "advanced" program to be found at this school (the principal, Ms B. confirmed this during our last meeting.) Nonetheless, when visiting, look and listen carefully. The staff is certainly not beyond exaggerating the upside of their school. Skepticism is your ally here. Our family is going in a different direction. "Average" doesn't fit what we require...
--Submitted by a parent

Everyone who commented before is correct. The school is loving and the teaching staff is creative. The problem is that the quality of instruction is non-existent. My child scored in the advanced range on the STAR test the year before last along with a lot of his/her other classmates. Last year not a single child to my knowlege scored in this range. Our school went backwards in the test scores and all my teacher and the principal had for us were excuses for the lack of quality instruction. I will say that the school is a nice feeling school though and the rules and applied consistently. Unfortunately, I thought I was sending my child to school to learn and the school is more concerned with making sure everyone is nice. The principal cares more about kids with special needs than students whose needs aren't being met. This school is a disappointment.
--Submitted by a parent

West Side has an exceptionally creative, loving, and professional faculty and administration.
--Submitted by a parent

We are a very smal school, 155 students, the administration and staff are very in 'tune' with the students. Rules are applied equally, and with care. Our curriculim includes subjects beyond the basics. We strive for well rounded students.
--Submitted by Pamela Gilmore, a parent

The overall environment is good and I like the idea of it being a relatively small school having one class per grade. Students need to 'fit in the box' here. There is not a whole lot of differences to be made. There is help for those falling behind but not augmentation for the bright students. This school focuses on basic education skills. There is very little outside of the basics of reading and math.
--Submitted by a parent