General Information

Westwood Charter Elementary has a variety of child-centered facilities including:

• 27 classrooms, each with a ratio of one computer to every student, a printer, and a teaching screen.
• Well-maintained playground for grades 1-5.
• Separate TK/kindergarten play yard.
• Cafeteria with indoor eating area.
• Covered outdoor eating area.
• Auditorium with stage.
• Library — fully staffed by a library aide and parent volunteers.
• 12 landscaped outdoor classrooms and garden education areas.

Average Class Size

• There is an average of 21-24 children per class in TK, Kindergarten and grades 1, 2 and 3.
• There is an average of 28-30 children per class in grades 4 and 5.

Class Structure

• The teachers, specialists and volunteers provide individualized, small group and whole group instruction.
• “Team-teaching” enriches instruction.
• For some subjects, students are clustered based on their individual needs and interests. All learning clusters are flexible.
• Parent/teacher conferences are held a minimum of two times each year and upon request.

Assessment and Testing

Each spring children in grades 3 - 5 are given the California State or district required standardized tests. Testing lasts for two weeks.  Results are used in school-wide and classroom instructional program planning and evaluation to align our curriculum and teaching standards with state and national standards.

 

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)

Qualified students are eligible for participation in the GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) program.  Students are recognized as candidates by advanced performance on standardized tests, or are referred for psychological testing by teacher recommendation. The school has a GATE coordinator who facilitates the student identification process and staff development.  At Westwood Charter Elementary, students identified as GATE are clustered in peer groups in each classroom and provided differentiated curriculum.  Click HERE for more information.

 

Ongoing Programs

•     Art Program
•     P.A.W.S.
•     Council
•     Service Learning
•     Dance Program
•     Emergency Preparedness Program
•     Ecology and Recycling Program
•     G.A.T.E. (Gifted and Talented Education)
•     Monthly Assemblies
•     Science Slam
•     Music Program
•     Orchestra
•     Garden Program
•     Physical Education Program
•     School Beautification
•     Service Learning
•     Social Ethics & Values Program
•     Specialized Grade Level Meetings
•     Student Council
•     Technology Program

Enrollment

Westwood Charter School has approximately 650 students.  The majority of our children are from the local neighborhood. Click for more information.

 

Attendance

TK and Kindergarten

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8:05am – 2:40pm

Tuesday and Thursday: 8:05am – 1:40pm

 

Grades 1-5

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8:05am – 2:45pm

Tuesday and Thursday: 8:05am – 1:45pm

 

Minimum Day Schedule – All Grades (TK-5)

8:05am – 12:45pm

 

Childcare – S.T.A.R. Program

STAR is a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to offering extended educational, recreational and enrichment programs, to supporting and enhancing school curriculum, and to expanding the cultural base of young people through innovative, quality programs offered by exceptional instructors. Click here for more information.