The Westwood School

My daughter is finishing her senior year at Westwood having attended since age 3. We have watched the school grow primarily because of the financial support of the school's committed parental community whose suppot has been earned by Westwood's dedicated, skilled administrative staff and teachers. With adoption of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years and Diploma Programmes, Westwood graduates apply for college with a decisive academic edge and the potential to earn up to one year of college credit based upon the body of work completed in years 11and 12. Integration of the IB curriculum has benefitted every student at Westwood from preschool thru grade 12. Although academics are important, the Westwood commitment to development of the whole child is what really sets students apart. I have served as a parent volunteer for countless field trips and on extended trips to Washington DC, Houston, etc. every single time that I have accompanied the students, complete strangers have stopped me to compliment the students on their courtesy and respect. We entered at age 3, expected to go to public at 1st grade and again at 4th, but instead will be one of first 10 graduates.
--Submitted by a parent

School administration has gone all out over the past couple of years to provide a great athletic program for its students. A parent volunteer has handled the preschool and elementary grades most noteably getting Westwood students involved with Marathon Kids. The school emphasizes lifetime fitness. By Middle School and High School students can participate in volleyball, flag football, soccer, swim and track and field. But again, most importantly, students participate in ALP - Adventure Leadership Programs. Students attend overnight trips that include scuba diving, mountain biking, surfing, canoeing and rock climbing. These are the types of activities that build student confidence, respect for the outdoor environment and encourage lifelong fitness. My children have only had wonderful athletic experiences at Westwood!
--Submitted by a parent

I LOVE Westwood. Not only are the students excelling academically (the 6 Seniors have been offered over $955,000 in academic scholarships), students are also taught responsibility. My 9-year-old reminded me that we had to get to the library because his books were due in TWO DAYS! Students set personal boundaries and know what to do when someone crosses that boundary. They practice problem-solving and other social graces. I am an employee. After working here for one year and seeing what a wonderful place this is, I had to enroll my four children. My oldest graduated last year with Westwood's first graduating class and is now attending college overseas. Westwood has the best students, the best staff, and the best parents. It's the people that make the community.
--Submitted by a teacher

My son has been at Westwood since preschool. For us, it was the perfect fit. As he has progressed through middle school, I'm constantly amazed by what he is learning. They do a Shakespeare production every year that is truly incredible. My high school exposure to Shakespeare was reading something and answering questions on a quiz. Most of it went completely over my head. He actually UNDERSTANDS the material, which just blows me away.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has been at Westwood for a few years now and we still have the same experience as when we toured the school - this place is home for us. I am amazed at the work my child brings home, and how proud he is of himself!
--Submitted by a parent

A very second-rate school with a practically non-existent sports and arts program. Key teachers and administration do not have college degrees. The high school is draining much needed resources from the middle and elementary levels. The other reviews are from teachers, admin and the handful of mothers who literally rule the school and ostracize community members. I would characterize the school as dysfunctional, and sadly mean-spirited. Individuality is not encouraged and it is quite the opposite of what we were trying to achieve from a montessori education for our children. Many other schools are much better academically and for fostering your child's creativity and positive self-worth.
--Submitted by a parent

I was blown away by the education offered by Westwood. Our son went there for three years before we had to move to the west coast. We haven't found anything anywhere CLOSE to what we got at Westwood. Great sense of community and the IB program is a huge plus!
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended Westwood from 1st. through 8th. grade. He was there when the school was pretty small. The director, Pam Butler, was and has always been the soul of the school and a true Montessorian. She was always approachable and ready to listen to any student , parent. or teacher. He recently graduated from an accredited college in California and he is doing extremely well At Westwood he learned how to identify and to develop his gifts. His critical skills are superior. He has always been comfortable with who he is, not like most kids who are followers of trends, etc. Friends still comment, on what a great human being he is, compassionate, smart, charismatic. He still opens doors for other people, etc. He is 25 years old with a successful job. Westwood prepared him academically, but most importantly for LIFE. Many schools focus on the academic part but lack any kind of social or community preparation. Even though, he went from a small school to a large school, he adapted fast. He was one of the only students who didn't use a calculator for his math admissions test. The admissions director was so impressed with his results that they gave him a scholarship. Thank you Westwood!
--Submitted by a parent

As a long-time staff member of the school, I have had the chance through the years to observe many of the current high school and upper school students as they have grown from perschoolers. It has been amazing to see the school deliver on their philosophy of Character, Community and Academic Excellence. I have had the opportunity to go on three middle school class trips to Washington and Boston as well as numerous field trips with the upper elementary students. On every occasion, our students have stood out from the crowd as courteous, responsible and caring individuals. Observers have commented many times that they rarely see such respectful, curious and well-behaved students. Not only do the rigorous academic programs prepare students for their future education, the policies and procedures of the school show the students how to relate socially and how to become contributing members of the community. The Westwood School believes in educating the whole child.
--Submitted by a teacher

I have two kids in Westwood School. One is in 7th grade, and the other one in beginners classroom. My little one has three excellent teachers, they are professionals, dedicated, and loving. In addition, two of the three teachers are fully bilingual, plus he is learning a third language in the school, Mandarin. We have notice a lot of progress, he is more matured, organized,... My older child has been in the school for the last six years, we have seen the progress year after year, and at the beginning of this year he received an invitation from Duke University to participate in the "7th GradeTalent Search Program." All this could happened thanks to the IB program implementared by the school, and of course for his excellent teachers through out the years. Besides the academic program he has been exposure to the theater and drama program, to the social environment at school, and to the opportunity of serving in the community vital to the social growth.
--Submitted by a parent