Click to download the complete Westwood Charter Family Handbook (2.23MB).
School Westwood Charter School has a variety of child-centered facilities including:
- 31 classrooms, each with a ratio of one computer to every six students, a printer, and a teaching screen.
- Well-maintained playground for grades 1-5.
- Separate kindergarten play yard.
- Cafeteria with indoor eating area.
- Covered outdoor eating area.
- Auditorium with stage.
- Library - fully staffed by a librarian and parent volunteers.
- 12 landscaped outdoor classrooms and garden education areas.
Average Class Size
- There is an average of 21-23 children per class in Kindergarten and grades 1, 2 and 3.
- There is an average of 33-35 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.
Assesment and Testing
Each spring children in grades 2 - 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. At Westwood Charter, students identified as gifted are clustered in peer groups in each classroom.
Ongoing Programs
- Art Program
- Council
- Drama/Dance Program
- Earthquake Preparedness Program
- Ecology and Recycling Program
- G.A.T.E. (Gifted and Talented Education)
- Great Books Program
- Monthly Awards Assembly
- Multicultural Fair
- Music Program
- Orchestra
- Physical Education Program
- School Beautification
- Service Learning
- Social Ethics & Values Program
- Specialized Grade Level Meetings
- Student Council
- Technology Program
- W.A.T.C.H. Tutoring Program (Westwood Adults Teaching Children How)
Enrollment
Students entering school in September must be at least five years old on or before December 2nd of the same year. Westwood Charter School has approximately 800 students. The majority of our children are from the local neighborhood. Click for more information.
Attendance
Kindergarten
Early Group:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:05 a.m. -.1:40 p.m.
Late Group:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:05 a.m. - 2:40 p.m.
Tuesdays and Minimum days:
8:05am - 12:20pm
Grades 1-5:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday:
8:05 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Tuesdays and Minimum days:
8:05 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
On Tuesdays, teachers meet after early dismissal for professional development and planning.
Childcare – S.T.A.R. Program