Westport Heights Elementary School

My daughter has started Kinder and is doing great at the school. She is happy, motivated, making friends and liking her teachers and the STAR program. I especially like how easy it is to get information electronically. There are some great parents and great organization.
—Submitted by a parent

This school does more than offer a great education. This school builds community and nurtures a sense of pride in the students. The parents and volunteers are wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in kindergarten. I have been really impressed with the school all around. The teachers are nice and the programs are good. Mrs. Long is very dedicated to the students and the PTA has some hard workers on the team. Next year, I will have two children enrolled...I look forward to getting more involved. The schools need help now more than ever.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful Pre-k program with outstanding teachers!
—Submitted by a parent

Great test scores! That's because of the outstanding teachers and administration! Keep up the outstanding job not only academically but the social lessons you provide the children to establish their success in life!
—Submitted by a parent

I am new to the area. My son is in the third grade. So far, it's been great!
—Submitted by a parent

I think Westport Heights is a good school and has an excellent make-up of teachers, staff and parents. I love the diversity of the school and its rich nature to welcome the importance of making the students aware of the different cultures. I think everyone is making a great effort in helping to make the school even better. My 5-year old son loves this school and has made a lot of new friends and I am very pleased with his academic progress.
—Submitted by a parent

In hindsight, the comments about 'little change' and negative test scores seem a bit silly now. The school's API jumped more than 20 points last year -- without 'cherry-picking' families, as some Westchester schools have been known to do. That's hard to top. Westport takes children from a much more diverse set of backgrounds, and provides a quality education. Moreover, as the parent of a child with asthma, having a nurse on site four times more often than last year is important to me. Westport is a very good school, and continues to make strides toward being an excellent one.
—Submitted by a parent

The principle feels the need to control issues that really have no effect on acedemic performance, and may inhibit acedemic performance. The teachers seem to do there best in the time provided, but do not seem to put in the extra time that it takes to make a classroom an extraordinary one.
—Submitted by a parent

Westport Heights has a new and dedicated Principal, Karen Long. With her leadership and the enthusiastic parent involvement the wonderful teachers here have a winning combination for my children. I have a Kindergartener and a Pre-K child and we couldn't be happier. At 4 & 5 years old, they're both reading and exceling in math! And, my Kindergartener blows everyone away with his knowledge of art masters and techniques. We look forward to the next 6 years at this wonderful school with all our new friends.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a few complaints about this school, and it's leadership. I am currently looking for another school to place my child, where the Principal is as interested in education as I am.
—Submitted by a parent

Westport is great! We are definitly a culturally diverse school- at one point we counted children from 73 countries! The teachers are dedicated and wonderful. Our principal Freida Smith has been such a great supporter. She is there for the students, teachers, parents, and community. We have done so much, and with parental support, we can acheive even more! Come join us!
—Submitted by Cathy Ohnstad, a parent

We have an excellant new Principal. Her name is Freida Smith. Although she's only been there for the last 6 months, it's as though she's been there for years. She really cares about the children, the teachers and the parents. We have the children's safety patrol. Orchestra. Star afterschool program. Class level meetings to compare what works and what doesn't, to improve student learning. We're a Title 1 school, so receive extra funding to help increase student's academic development. We have a Wonder of Reading Library with tutoring. It is very well rounded culturally . . having many different nationalities. I have been a parent at the school for over 11 years, and have total faith in its abilities to help all children to succeed.
—Submitted by Ilene Ashcraft, a parent

From what I was able to see Westport can be a wonderful neighborhood school. It's a gem in the making. Bathrooms for littles ones were clean, it has a emaculate library with the most caring librarian I have ever met. School still needs a little work and questions about an unfavored faculty member needs to be addressed. Has the Star program. Security seems high for they only have two gate from which student may enter and exit.
—Submitted by a parent

Our family is going on 3 years in this school and each year it gets better. We have increasing parent involvement as Room Parents, PTA Board, Booster Club, School Site Council Members, and numerous volunteers. We have a new principal that was selected by a panel of our teachers and parents. We have many events through out the year that are inclusive of parent/family participation. We have an after school day care program on site called STAR which in itself brings allot of enrichment classes and activities to our children. We have a Booster Club sponsored P.E. program. Over all the teachers and staff are wonderfull and great to work with. I encourage anyone to come visit and enroll their child/ren and be a part of our family.
—Submitted by Meyer Family, a parent

My son and daughter both attended Westport this past school year (2004-2005). My son is going on to middle school and my daughter is now in the first grade. She had a time with her teacher. But the principal, Mrs. Smith, along with the vice principal, Mrs. Kees was excellent in helping to keeping her on task. They attneded on a permit and I am working really hard to keep my daughter there. She was in a kindergarten/first grade split class and learned many things in spite of the challenges her teacher faced with her. I am proud to have my children go there and am looking forward to her continuing.
—Submitted by davene Questel, a parent

I think Westport Heights is a great neighborhood school. My children joined the Westport family in 1st grade and we've had a wonderful experience. The teachers are very caring and nurturing. I really love their new library and Wonder of Reading program. I participated in this program and was able to help improve a 3rd grader's reading level, as well as use the techniques to help my daughter.
—Submitted by a parent

Good quality of academic programs and extracurricular activities.
—Submitted by a parent

STAR Education will be opening a new after-school enrichment program on the campus of Westport Heights Elementary School in Westchester, CA. The program will begin in fall 2004 and will offer one-of-a-kind programming, including classes in the performing arts and filmmaking as well as academic support. The school's visionary new principal is eager to work with STAR Education to transform Westport Heights Elementary by raising test scores, providing award winning after-school programming, and building a strong sense of community. STAR Education is the pioneer in enrichment education, and continues to be the leading program in raising test scores. In addition to programs on campuses throughout Los Angeles, STAR Education s programs on the campuses of Cowan, Kentwood, and Loyola Village Elementary Schools have established STAR as a dedicated member of the Westchester community. STAR is thrilled about the new partnership with Westport Heights.
—Submitted by Dana Bean, a staff

Westport Heights has provided my daughter with a emotionally nurturing and yet academically challenging Kindergarten experience. Her teacher, who is always positive, has been able to balance the rigors of teaching to California's standards and creating a positive learning environment for each student. I am so grateful for such a positive educational experience! Bravo!
—Submitted by a parent