ACADEMICS

State Accountability

Overall School Rating for West Elementary:
  • B (89)
Distinction Designations:
  • Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading
  • Academic Achievement in Mathematics
  • Top 25 Percent: Comparative Academic Growth
  • Postsecondary Readiness

TEA School Report Card:

House Bill 3:

PROGRAMS

  • Gifted and Talented
  • Pre-Kindergarten (PreK 4, PreK 3)

West Elementary

MISSION

We, the faculty of West Elementary, are committed to working with students, parents, and community to meet the needs of our students.

WE ARE DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING LEARNERS WHO ARE:

  • Enthusiastic about learning
  • Responsible, productive members of the community who are able to work with a spirit of cooperation
  • Independent life-long learners
  • Problem-solvers
  • Respectful of self and others

AT WEST ELEMENTARY, WE BELIEVE….

  • All children can learn
  • Children have a right to a safe, positive, nurturing learning environment
  • Real-life, problem-solving, hands-on experiences constitute the core of quality learning
  • The uniqueness of the individual must be respected
  • Optimum learning is dependent upon communication and a sense of partnership among students, parents, community, and school.

VISION

West Elementary will be a place where parents, teachers, community members, and students will work together to create a positive, safe, and secure environment that will foster a community of life-long learners. Students will be encouraged to take responsibility for their actions and their actions and their learning. Teachers will use hands-on, real-life problem-solving experiences in the classroom to encourage critical thinking and to develop productive citizens. The uniqueness of each individual will be recognized and valued in order to help each child maximize his potential.

OUR LEGACY

Childhood sweethearts, Barbara and Sam West married in 1956 after college graduation. Sam joined AISD in 1971 as an Assistant Principal and teacher at Hill Elementary. He served as principal at Hill Elementary from 1972 – 1994, where he earned multiple commendations for academic excellence. Barbara worked as a school secretary from 1968 – 1994 at Roark, Thornton, and Morton, all Arlington elementary schools. Barbara West died July 4, 2009. Sam West died April 7, 2012.

HISTORY

West Elementary opened its doors to students for the first time on August 13, 1997, with 330 students and a staff of 45 teachers, faculty, and staff under the direction of Mrs. George, Principal, and Ms. Kennedy, Assistant Principal. In the spring of 1998, the school was named a Texas Exemplary School as a result of high test scores. Through its history, West has maintained the expectation of academic excellence. In the spring of 2010, the AISD Board of Trustees formed a committee to change the boundaries for West Elementary because the school had grown to almost 1,000 students. In the fall of 2010, West opened its doors to 620 students and fewer temporary buildings.

Just as on the first day the door of West elementary opened, the staff continues to strive to provide a caring, quality learning environment in which the uniqueness of each child is valued and developed.

MEMORIAL GARDEN

The West staff has honored the passing of those who have had a special bond with West during its history. A tree has been planted and a memorial marker placed in remembrance of these individuals:

PENNY GALLOWAY – Penny was the first Special Education teacher at West. She was known for her creativity and love for all children. Her tree has grown tall and full as it stands on the northeast corner of the building. She died of cancer in the summer of 2000.

ANDREW WELLS – A special tree for ANDREW WELLS grows on the east side of the building. Andrew was a 3rd-grade student who died of congenital heart failure in 2002.

SAMMUEL WEST – “Sammy,” grandson of Sam and Barbara West attended West Elementary, Barnett Junior High, and Bowie High School. He died of complications of leukemia in the winter of 2007. His tree is planted east of the marquee.

BARBARA WEST – “Lady Barbara,” as she was affectionately known, passed away on July 4, 2009. Lady Barbara’s tree is planted to the west of the marquee.