West Elementary School

I am very pleased with the teachers my children have had. The are very fast at answering questions/concerns. The principal is on his second year leading the school and does an okay job--still needs to refine his ability to communicate effectively with staff/teachers/parents and not create conflicts, saying one thing to one group and then turning around and saying the complete opposite to the other group. The PTA is typical, you have a few that do all the work basically. The grade card system is being revised and needs some changes to make it better. Just adequate job for special needs kids--both ends of the spectrum (gifted and special needs/ESOL). Class sizes are 20-25 kids, sure to rise as budget issues affect staffing. They do have paras that help out in the classes. Great reading program, new gym, curriculum is good overall.
—Submitted by a parent

Our school is K-3 and has around 400 students yet it has a very small school feel to it. There isn't a teacher there that I wouldn't be thrilled to have teaching my child. Each teacher happily participates in the school events on their time off. Our principal has the kids best interest in mind in all that he does and is very thoughtfull about no kids feeling left out. For example our fundraiser event gives our rewards to kids for selling items. The more you sell the more prizes you get. In the past these have been handed in an assembly, but many kids didn't get anything and he couldn't stand to see them in tears. So he changed it where the prizes were discretely handed out at the end of the school day into backpack as the kids left for home. That way those he didn't get one wouldn't even be aware of it. We have so many parents who are willing to volunteer their time at the school and at our events. We couldn't do as much for the kids as we do without them.
—Submitted by a parent

They've been great! My son just started Kindergarten this year and he's soooooo excited. :)
—Submitted by a parent