West Junior High School

This school is really a very nice learning experiance for the students. They get the right amount of freedom and learn well. The principle is not involved in the school at all, but claims to be. She shows up at the band concerts and gets thanked and credit for what she doesnt do. A tip: put your students in honor classes. They believe that it is less work for regular, but the regular curriculem is very shallow, and very easy. Overall a very great school. I am a former student, and I had a great time at this school. The lunch ladies there are extreamly nice, and the only reason I'm giving it four stars instead of five is because of the principle.

This is one of the best junior high schools in the nation. People from every socio-economic level attend here, teachers provide relevant just-in-time instruction using 21st Century Learning Skills embedded.
--Submitted by a teacher

The quality of the teachers at west varies quite a bit depending on the subject being taught. But certain subjects, such as the Music programs, sciences, and history/government have excellent teachers. The number of extracurricular activities is relatively high and there is a good variety of programs and 'clubs' available. The principal does not always do a great job however. W rarely see her walking throughout the school as you would see at other schools, and she has some bias towards certain students. She does not seem very active within the school. Another area that west can lack in is safety. The number of fights, drug arrests, and thefts, has risen quite substaintally between this year and last. I personally do not feel very safe at this school due to the number of very pushy students. Some lunch ladies also seem a bit racist.
--Submitted by a student

West is extreamly caring about it's students' learning experience, and it strives for excellency. This is one of the best schools I have attended. Fighting in this school is very rare, in fact, I only know of two so far in the duration of this school year. The adults quickly resolved these conflicts. The teachers are all kind and courteous, and see each student as an individual, not some child in a class. I greatly enjoy my time at West.
--Submitted by a student

The school isnt really up to the demands to teaching. with as little as 2 smart boards and JUST installed projectors, there is a ton of space for improvment, including air-condition...
--Submitted by a student

i think that west is a very good school i believe that the teachers teach the kids and dont try to be their friend.
--Submitted by a student

Our oldest was in this school when previous principal was there and we found our overall experience above average. Our two younger children unfortunately have had to see the total decline of this school and the caliber of its teachers under its current 'leadership.' If we had a fourth child, we'd move before allowing him or her to attend West JH. We found a principal makes plenty of difference.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a former student of West Junior High. I believe that West provides an excellent array of classes that prepare student well for high school. The foreign language classes provide students with the needed introduction to foreign language that prepares them for the next level of that language and gives them the needed skill to be successful at the new level. Regular Eighth Grade English Classes are not always adequate in preparing students for the next level. I question whether I was adequately prepared for five paragraph essays, narrative essays or in class essays which are common in the ninth. However, the ninth grade Regular and Honors English classes prepare students extremely well for the demands of high school English. Both Regular and Honors history classes provide excellent preparation for the demands of high school history classes. Eight Grade Science classes provide an environment for the scientist in every student to grow while at the same time teaching the students the basics that makes it possible for them to continue to be successful in the science disciplines. These feelings do not always hold true for ninth grade science. The Honors Class is always ready for the demands of AP and Honors level science classes in high school; however, this is not always the case for the student in the regular level class. Their preparedness greatly depends on the teacher. The math department at West holds the most needed for improvement. You will find some of the worst teachers in the district in this department; there are some of the best math teachers that a student could hope to have. My best advice is to ask round and change teachers if it comes to that. Do not per-judge the school based on the principal.
--Submitted by a former student