Westbrook Intermediate School

I am a current 8th grader in WAVE, and I can safely say that WAVE is the place for GT students to be. There is a lot more homework than you or your child might be used to, but its all about time management. Homework from WAVE is designed to help thinking outside the box and reinforce higher-level thinking skills. Minicourses range from music to electronics, and they are super fun. Our electives are amazing, with our orchestra and band claiming the Best in Texas title once. Our homework helps prepare us for high school, our electives are amazing, and minicourses are a unique way to pursue the hobby that you are interested in. IF YOU ARE GT, YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY GO TO WAVE! YOU WON'T REGRET THE DECISION! I can't think of a better school to go to that would fit my needs because I am surrounded by people who think on the same level as me.

I am the parent of a student who attended the WAVE program. I can say that the program was the very best program that my daughter experienced in her 12 years in CCISD. It prepared her for college, long before she crossed the threshold of high school and, she is now successfully achieving at the University level. It was not a lot of extra work for her and though we supported her, she did her own work. She was able to participate in all of her extra-curriculars including band, dance, volleyball, cheerleading and tennis. She was an all-around kid and remains an all-around adult. When students who are the right fit for the program go to WAVE, the experience will be phenomenal. I applaud parents who do not feel it is a good fit for finding the right place for their children. A high percentage of CCISD's National Merit Scholars and Valedictorians have come from the WAVE program. It is not for every GT students and, it has been particularly molded for students who are GT across the board but, are particularly strong in reading/ELA. WAVE is a shining star and is/will continue to be a feather in the cap of Clear Creek ISD.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the best school that I have ever gone to! I have made so many friends and, WAVE really meets my academic standards.

I was excited for my kids to join WAVE after the orientation only to be disappointed in the program. After a year and a half, I have removed my kids. I do not find this program to be gifted. It is definitely advanced, but mostly, it is just a ton of extra work. My kids were loaded down with so much homework that they were exhausted everyday. Gifted doesn't mean tons of extra work. It should focus on outside of the box thinking. There are several gifted people in my family and my older sister has taught gifted and I am unimpressed with the WAVE program. My kids became depressed and stressed out and dreaded school and they were never like that before. After just a few days in the Omega program at our zoned school, my kids are perking back up and enjoying life. You can tell that a weight has been lifted off their shoulders.
—Submitted by a parent

I am the parent of a WAVE student at Westbrook Elementary. I have to say the I'm not sure the WAVE program is anything more than a bunch of talk without the substance to back it up. I was a very high-performing student throughout all years of my schooling with teachers that were apparently more efficient at teaching information without the rediculous amount of redundant busy-work. In the WAVE program repetetive busy-work repeatedly assigned after the students already have a grasp of the information masqurades as "creative teaching". My son still gets straight A's but hates school now being in the WAVE program. He used to love school. The amount of homework given is unneccesary and leaves kids with little time for extracurricular activiteies or tme to jut be kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a former WAVE student, and I'd just like to say that even though the work load was pretty heavy, it teaches you time managment. As long as your kid makes and effort and t ries to keep up, they'll do just fine. Honestly, 'PDA' constitutes of holding hands and maybe a peck. If you think that's too much, wait until high school. WAVE teaches you lots of important skills that make high school so much easier. And our athletics are actually pretty decent, thank you very much. High school is a piece of cake for me. Oh, and our arts programs ROCK. Plus, we beat Science Magnet every year at the science fair. That's how epic we are.

As a parent, this is one of the most stressful school programs I've ever experienced. It impacts the entire family. Most 6th graders can not manage the workload without significant help from the parents. Every child I've known that has been in this program has broken down in tears throughout the year (both in school and at home) because of the stress. Expect a minimum of 2 to 4 hours of homework every day, including weekends and holidays. I also recommend that any 6th grader cut out all after school activities
—Submitted by a parent

I am a returning 7th grader in the WAVE program. I remember in 5th grade, thinking about if I should to go to WAVE or not. I chose WAVE, hoping I wouldn't regret leaving my old friends. When I came to WAVE, I found that all the students super welcoming and nice! I was so happy that I made so many friends!! My teachers are overall, cooperative, fun and nice. They are always willing to help students. :) I remember the last week of 6th grade, I was literally crying because I didn't want to leave Westbrook for the summer. As far as the education goes, I think it is great. We mostly don't do alot of "Pencil and Paper" assignments, usually interactive and fun activities and assignments. Do expect homework, though, but remember that it is more about Quality of the work than Quantity. Try hard not to procrastinate and use your planner. In reply to the one star review posted on June 9, 2011 -- I'm taking Athletics and we're working very hard. The coaches are encouraging and helpful. Mini-Courses are extra classes are to enhance each GT students passions and hobbies. Every single WAVE student is gifted in some area or field. Mini-Courses help them expand their interests and knowledge.

I have been a student at Westbrook since 6th grade. I am now in the summer, going to be an 8th grader. My sister went to this school, ranting about the amazing educational standards and the athletics at the school. I have NO IDEA where she got those. The coaches there are absolutely awful. We lost terribly to almost every team last year in Football. The education there is terrible, too. I would get 100's on every single test. Every single one! I would never go to this school by choice ever again. I am actually asking my parents to move me into a different school district. Even though I am in WAVE, I still hate it. The Mini-courses are a HUGE waste of time! Magic classes. Really and truly, you can take a MAGIC class. I swear...

I am a student at Westbrook taking the WAVE program right now and it is awesome! All the teachers are so nice and they offer something called mini-courses. It's where you get to learn extra information and it's just really fun! The Principal always encourages us to do our best on the announcements. I'm in band and the teachers are the best. Even if you've never played any instrument they will teach you from the beginning. I'm enjoying Westbrook so much!!!!! Timberwolves!

I read the review from the student about Westbrook's PDA problem. In my opinion, the students at Westbrook have gone beyond PDA. It amazes me that the principal has not held an assembly to instate a zero tolerance policy on the school grounds. As for the WAVE, I don't really consider piling on homework, and de-emphasizing outside activities because of all the homework, to constitute a stellar education. Many of the kids I know in this program have broken down crying multiple times during the year because of the pressure. I also don't understand all the rave reviews...because I've yet to speak to a parent who thinks the education at the WAVE is outstanding...although it is probably rates high when compared with other Texas schools.
—Submitted by a parent

i was a student at westbrook in 6th grade 2007 an it was the best i loved it there but then the boundries changed an i had to go to clear lake i liked westbrook soo much better i felt like i got a way better education there so im asking please change the boundries back by 2010 please because i want to come back before i go to high school an alot of westbrook students that are also at clear lake now want to come back to so please change the boundries back
—Submitted by a student

I'm a student at Westbrook in the WAVE program, and it is fantastic. The homework load is a bit heavy but not unbearable and definately not boring. Our academic standards are pretty high. Our band is really awesome as well - we won 3rd in state at UIL this year playing a 4 4 5 program. Many of our sports teams are undefeated. Overall, this school is great. Oh, and WAVE does NOT have 2 less hours of school than RAZ. We go to school from 8 to 3pm and RAZ goes from 9 to 4pm. There really aren't any problems between the gifted and regular students, though we do tend to keep to ourselves since most of our classes aren't mixed.
—Submitted by a student

This school is, in my belief, the best public middle school a good student can attend in the area. The teachers, WAVE and Westbrook, are gracious and accommodating towards the students and parents. The students here have many varied talents and passions; with this, it is easy to fit in and make friends. An excellent library, cafeteria, and classrooms are just some of the benefits that this new building boasts. The athletics in this school are just about tops in the district, too if not tops, well, pretty darn close. There are a lot of great coaches that help students reach their true potential. Of the WAVE program, which I have attended from 6th to 8th grade, I can give nothing but praise. No other school in CCISD better addresses the needs of gifted/talented students. Finally, I assert: there is no favoritism towards either WAVE or Westbrook students. Go Timberwolves!
—Submitted by a student

hello im a current timberwolve at westbrook intermediate and this is my second year. i have been attending since the 6th grade. Im not at all apart of the WAVE program but i do have friend who are, they get no special treatmeant. so dont worry. I have loved it here so far. there is a problem with PDA at westbrook. But dont worry all our finest prienceables are all over that case. My classes inclued Pre Ap science, Pre Ap social studies, regular lanugage, and regular math. all the teachers are awusome so dont worry. Friends are easy to make there and we do have high school credits for our super school.
—Submitted by a student

I'm in the 7th grade at Westbrook now, and it's been one of the best experiences of my life. The WAVE program is definitely worthwhile. The classes aren't necessarily more challenging than regular classes, but they take a more creative approach to it and I really enjoy it. Mini-courses are great as well; they have them on all sorts of topics - I've taken mini-courses about Harry Potter, ham radio, the 2008 presidential election, Trivial Pursuits, and more. There are also mini-courses on anything from guitars to the Beatles. There's still an academic element to the mini-courses, so it's not a total waste of time. I disagree with the parent who said that teachers are only concerned about WAVE kids. I'm in WAVE, and my best friend isn't. Neither of us gets 'special treatment' just for that.
—Submitted by a student

I am a fellow WAVE student, and i have to say, it is a great experience. Our Orchestra is probably best in the district, our band is Ah-mazing, and our athletic teams are outstanding. The WAVE program is great and it really fosters growth for the Gifted and Talented Students. The school does have some funding issues though, which then spawns the fundraisers annually. The teachers are absolutely amazing, specifically the elective teachers for Orchestra (especially!) and band. The faculty is very friendly to us and we get to know them all as a friend we can talk to, not a boring teacher. -And for the parent user below me, We have minicourse for 1 and a half hours, but we get to school 1 hour early and have only 2 study halls a week. So we are basically doing extra work, and taking an extra class. (LA is combined)
—Submitted by a student

Westbrook is a life changing school. In the WAVE Program, the teachers, for the most part, genuinely care about you. The classes aren't usually lecture type but a conversation where both the student and teacher learn from each other on a daily basis. There is quite a bit of homework, but the work includes depth and creativity rather than plain busy work. The students here learn the lessons for life and go off to become the leaders of the world. I am truly thankful for this program and all that it has done for me. I started out really shy, but after WAVE, I've been able to come out of my shell and influence others with my ideas. This is an absolutely amazing school that provides Gifted students with the opportunity to find their passions and pursue them.
—Submitted by a student

westbrook rocks your socks. It's number 1 for science fair, even though seabrook is a school based around science fair. We have the highest scores in acidemics, and not only that our sports teams dominate every school. First in district at football and currently undefeated in basketball
—Submitted by a parent

Westbrook by itself isn't necessarily an excellent school, but the WAVE program is definitely something worth getting into. The mini-courses allow the students to explore the outside world. There are mini-courses about everything--from sewing to stained glass to books to CSI to scuba diving! And the teachers don't just stand there and lecture the students. They are constantly giving projects and activities to allow the students to use their creativity. I had an incredible experience at WAVE!
—Submitted by a student