Westgate Charter School

My child has attended Westgate for two years now. We have been very pleased. There is so much love and acceptance here. I feel like my child loves school, and is also learning so much. We are not dealing with the homeworks battles that so many families I know deal with - yet my child is learning just as much. The principal and teachers have so much heart, and truly care about the students.
--Submitted by a parent

Before I start - check out the staggering drop in CSAP scores from 2010 and 2011. We left Westgate because our kids were allowed to flit their days away. There was no homework and sparse teacher communication. Some good teachers, but a few teachers (one woman in particular) were extremely unprofessional, and the Principal, though I believe her heart to be in the right place, seems unable to govern at least some of her staff. In addition, I was told that one of my kids would "find his way" regardless of the lack of structure. Maybe a good fit for some -for whatever reason - who can't function in a real world setting - but not a good fit for us and many others who've also left the school. One of my children is twice exceptional and the lack of structure at this school affected him to the point that even his behavior at home worsened. School not recommended.
--Submitted by a parent

We love Westgate! Our kids will soon be completing their first year at Westgate. Prior to this, they were in the neighborhood school, which has an excellent reputation, but we felt as if there was a certain mold your child had to fit in order to truly excel (especially socially). Differences in personalities, learning styles, etc. seemed to be viewed as more of a problem than a celebration of unique, individual traits. That's what we love most about Westgate. We feel as if each and every teacher and administrator truly knows both of our children and not just by name. Our kids have made friends and regularly share what they are learning in class with us, because they are excited about it. I do agree that Westagate may not be for everyone....for us it has been fantastic.
--Submitted by a parent

Westgate vs Stargate (Picasso vs Renoir): my child has attended both. This is all about who your child is & in many cases what you wish your child was. Parents who choose Westgate based solely on the words: highly gifted, but who want their child to have structure, discipline and to be more like the societal ideal, would do best with Stargate. Westgate is creative chaos; kids are allowed to move about & fly their freak flags. This doesn't mean your child can behave any way they wish so if your child has a serious behavior issue, Westgate will not be the cure. My child will shut down if pushed to succeed or if overloaded with homework and blossoms when given room to breathe. If your child likes a more quiet and structured environment with grades and deans lists and following social norms, then Stargate is a better fit. If you prefer one on one communication with teachers and the principal, Westgate is not a good fit for you. In order to be a happy parent at Westgate, you must check their website and your email every day. Westgate doesn't offer foreign language but is more in tune with the arts. My child feels free and secure at Westgate and loves to go to school every day.
--Submitted by a parent

We are currently applying to Westgate and Stargate and I hear very divided opinions about Westgate...the common complaint seems to be that the school has great ideas but struggles to live up to their promises... If any parents are reading this, PLEASE share your experiences!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I have 3 kids at Westgate and can say without hesitation that if you offer something positive to the community, they are happy to have your time and support. They are upfront about their no homework and no report card approach. It's important that you are honest with yourself about whether or not you need report cards and other "evidence" of achievement or if you're happy when your 6/7 year-old can tell you every step of the rock and lunar cycles.. I will agree that communication between administration and parents leaves something to be desired, that math achievement is lacking, and they need to engage parents in forming extra curricular activities. But they care about their kids as people, not headcounts or test scores. If academics and rigid structure are your only priorities, this may not be the school for you. If shaping your TAG child into a critical thinker capable of making choices for themselves, learning how to be a responsible community citizen, and being a kid, there is no better environment than Westgate.
--Submitted by a parent

I hate this school, it is terrible and my child suffered. Fowl language isn't accepted on this site, but I can tell you I would be cursing like a sailor about this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I find it interesting that the previous review are so divergent. I think there's good reason for that. I 'm firmly in the "love it" category. Westgate specializes in gifted learners whose needs diverge from traditional educational models. This is a perfect description of my son, who was such a poor fit for our neighborhood school, that he became clinically depressed halfway through the 1st Grade. He is in his 3rd year at Westgate and is absolutely blossoming. This shows on his objective test results AND in the fact that he is much more able to meet behavioral expectation, when he was going to other direction at his other school. The school has come a very long way in the last couple of years and gets better every year. Westgate may not be a great fit for every kid, but for a child who would otherwise be at risk, it s almost a miracle.
--Submitted by a parent

Without a doubt, a wonderful school for our family. Contrary to the prolific reviewer below, my children have a strong curriculum, disciplinary matters are taken seriously, and the kids are also treated with respect. Don't let one poor review fool you; this school is incredible, and I wish we had found it sooner. As for parent participation, I am in the classroom and the library twice a week, and the school not only welcomes this, but actively encourages parents to see how the school is run. Clearly not every school meets the needs of every family, but I suspect the issues described below come from a child either not being honest or simply not being clear with their parent about their actual misbehavior. I have seen discipline in action at Westgate, and it has been immediate, respectful, clear to the student, and very transparent to the parents. The comments about communication between the administration and the community, however, are valid. It's better, but there are still some communication lags that I hope clear up soon.
--Submitted by a parent

I have two children who just completed their first year at Westgate and we LOVE it! One of my kiddos loves school in general and doing 'work'. Westgate was great for him because it allowed him to excel as fast as he wanted and not become bored, but instead remain challenged. My other child is an alternative learner (would whither up if loaded up with worksheets all day long) and he too flourished at Westgate. His teacher made a real effort to connect with him (and did) and find ways for him to learn the material in non-traditional ways. It was great for both!
--Submitted by a parent