Westlake Academy

All I have to say are good things about the school. I feel my daughter is now getting a better education in terms of strong and solid curriculum. I feel she's going to be prepared to compete with Other students in college and will be better prepared. I love that it's small and students have this ambiance of small community and fellowship. I specially enjoy the topics they are discussing in world history. I feel that the school is really preparing them to be international citizens. An this is the least I expect for my child. I am bilingual and my daughter is trilingual . There's do much more you expect from your kids and it's our duty to offer them the very best. This is why Im proud to say that she's a student at Westlake academy !
--Submitted by a parent

Westlake's second graduating class (May 2011) of 32 seniors received over $4.5 million in scholarships. The Academy is rated EXEMPLARY again this year. The teachers are invested in their careers. Parents are invested--they helped contribute over $500,000 this year. What's not to love??
--Submitted by a parent

Confused re: low performance comments. The school repeatedly attains exemplary status, regardless of the fact that the focus is not on teaching to the TAKS. Recently, last year's first senior class returned for a visit and reported that they have had an easy transition to college life and academics, despite the fact that many of them are enrolled in challenging &/or honors college programs. That alone has sold me on our decision to send our child to WA. He has been there 2 yrs, & the level of work to which he has been exposed (in primary) has been much more complex and cognitively challenging than that of his same grade peers in the local "exemplary" public elementary. I don't disagree that some amount of parental involvement is required for success in this setting, but, then again, why have children if you're not willing or able to spend time them, helping with schoolwork or otherwise??
--Submitted by a parent

Our son attended school here for one year, and after a disappointing year, we decided to leave. MANY other students and families have also recently left the school. Although we believe firmly in the school's mission statement and are impressed with the IB program, their execution of the program is abysmal. The school is run by a Board and Town CEO with absolutely no background in education, changes are made seemingly at a whim, turnover of teachers and administrative staff is high, and a small group of wealthy parents enjoys a disproportionate amount of influence over decision-makers. Our son actually did well at Westlake, but the lack of structure, proper supervision, and truly rigorous academic instruction led us back to our local public school in Carroll ISD.
--Submitted by a parent

Best learning enviornment and most involved parents I have ever seen.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended a private K-12 school in the Northeast, so when we learned that we were moving to TX, we had high expectations for his new school. Westlake Academy has not disappointed! We sought WA out specifically for the IB curriculum offered K-12 (our old school was IB for 11th and 12th only). WA is a place where students learn to understand, respect and appreciate their own and other world cultures, where they are taught to take responsibility for their own learning, and where critical thinking and interdisciplinary work is the norm. I've loved the creativity and depth of my son's projects and assignments (and he's really enjoyed them, too!). Yes, the curriculum is rigorous. But how refreshing to heighten expectations about student potential and achievement, see these kids meet every challenge...then show you how high the bar really can go? That's why our son is at WA.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school! Great faculty and wonderful students. The curriculum is challenging because it is not taken straight from a textbook. Students are pushed to use their own minds rather than memorizing from boring textbooks. Heavy focus on critical thinking and community/world responsibility.
--Submitted by a parent

If you can even get in this school, you'll see that children who lack self-motivation will probably have difficulty here. This school is really effective for more advanced learners who are self-motivated, but children whose parents cannot be as involved in their lives tend to struggle in such a demanding academic atmosphere that requires personal responsibility. We were forced to remove our children because typical area public schools will cater more to students who need more external motivation. I wouldn't recommend this school for 'average' students or parents who do not have time to work with their children at home. This type of school was too much of a committment for my family because my job requires me to spend much time out of town and my children are not as self motivated as most of WA students.
--Submitted by a parent

We have been at Westlake Academy from the very beginning and have never second guessed our initial decision to enroll our children in the IB program. We have watched them gain confidence and knowledge that is not offered by any other private or public school in our area. While the school has undergone expected growth and changes it has never failed to give our children everything that has been promised. I have no doubt that they have become lifelong learners, with a respect and understanding of diversity that many of us may never grasp. Thank you to the original school Founders, the ongoing support of positive parents, the students of Westlake Academy, who along with phenomenal teachers make this school so very special and a true honor to be a part of.
--Submitted by a parent

Where did they get this Head of School? He is the most disrespectful and rude person in the world! He treats teachers, parents and sometimes students as if they were making him a favor by paying attention to them. An open and safe communication style is necessary. It is a such a great school that it is a shame that he is creating such a stressful environment.
--Submitted by a parent