Westbrook Intermediate School

Posted: April 2, 2026

The band program feels unwelcoming unless you’re part of a select group of students. It seems like certain students are favored when it comes to choosing parts, which doesn’t give everyone a fair opportunity to play what they’re interested in. In particular, some decisions made by Jane and drumline instructors come across as inconsistent and discouraging.

Posted: April 2, 2026

Posted: April 2, 2026

Posted: April 2, 2026

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Posted: July 7, 2023

I want to explain that the school's high ratings and reported low student: teacher ratio is due to the WAVE program which pulls top performing kids in from across the district. The WAVE kids have their own meal times and classes, and does not reflect the rest of the school. Most 8th grade classes have 30 kids in them, not 18, and they reflect a drastically different demographic and standardized test performance profile. The school is not a "9" school outside of WAVE. The test scores of the advanced kids and their smaller class sizes make the school look better than it is.

I used to teach at this school. I was not there long. I thought I was going to be teaching for an academically rigorous 9 school with class sizes of 18, as Great Schools suggested. I was appalled by the disruptive behaviors of many of the kids in my overcrowded classrooms, with most designated "at risk" for dropping out. The academic expectations for these other kids was very low and the kids were well aware of that. The AP told me that I was unable to send kids out of my class to her for an office referral without first doing detention duty with them myself first. There was no curriculum given to me except for the TEKS (which are standards for a curriculum, not itself a curriculum) and I was not allowed to assign "readings" because the district had adopted a Workshop model (which was intended for lower elementary grades, not 14-year-olds). There would be meetings for ELA teachers with people wondering how to get kids to comprehend literary allusions, because "they seem to be not getting that" on the standardized test--well, how about having them read literature instead of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or graphic novel? Now that's a novel idea! It wasn't just he unruly kids, the large teaching load (I had about 180), and the lack of administrative support (Who has the teacher doing detention duty alone in an empty school building with the child she gives detention to?), but the "Workshop model." I could not believe on-grade level 8th grade ELA does not have students reading or studying English literature. If your kid is not in the WAVE program, he will be in large classes without a textbook and no emphasis on academics with other kids constantly acting up and disrupting the class. There will be no literature and no homework. If you like that, then this school is for you.

Posted: December 30, 2022

Great school & amazing opportunities for students, WAVE program is amazing

Posted: December 30, 2022

Posted: July 3, 2021

I'm a current eight grader in the WAVE program, and I LOVE attending westbrook. I was, quite frankly, surprised to find that there are so many reviews complaining about homework in the WAVE program. Yes, there is a lot of work, but by using good time management, students can get most of it done in school. Sadly, a lot of middle schoolers struggle with procrastination (myself included), so some students have more homework than others. It all comes down to knowing your child. If they have trouble with time management and organization, the wave program may not be for them. All of my teachers are amazing, kind, and understanding. Mini-courses (wave only) allow students to study things they enjoy while taking regular courses. Westbrook has very good robotics teams, so if that's something your child is into, definitely consider the school. The campus is wonderful, and the food is good. Overall, Westbrook is an amazing school with a great GT program and good electives.

Posted: July 3, 2021

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Posted: August 17, 2018

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Posted: August 17, 2018

Horrifically awful approach with children strigling with mental illness

Posted: June 3, 2018

This school is a disorganized nightmare. Busy work just for the sake of it. They can't schedule events in an orderly manner. The office staff is rude. There is nothing advanced about the WAVE program, aside from the level of patience needed to interact with some of the so-called teachers. It's truly been a horrific experience.

Posted: June 3, 2018

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Posted: October 21, 2014

This hype about the wave program is a big noise without substance. The teachers are in a big hurry to cram information in the short duration of the class that the child is left without understanding the basic idea of the topic. Only 1/4th of the curriculum is taught in class and the rest sent home for the parents and children to break their heads over. Now multiply this by 5 periods! That's unreasonable amount of hours spent after school. If a parent is doing all the teaching, why in the world will I need a useless wave program or this school. I regret having pushed my child into this. She has not had an evening outdoors in the last 2 months as she is only marooned in senseless stressful homework meant for high school kids for 5 to 6 hrs every single day including weekends. I wish the county school board would reevaluate this school and it's mission and see through the stress they are inducing to the kids and the parents.

Posted: October 6, 2014

My daughter is in her second year at Westbrook and is in the WAVE program. My observation is that both the child and the parent have to want the child to be successful in WAVE program. If one or the other is not committed to the program then there will be problems. Our experience is that my daughter attends WAVE (and makes excellent grades), participates in both in-school (band, sports) and out-of-school (scouts, youth group, sports) activities. Although she is busy, it is certainly doable (and good practice at prioritizing and working ahead). After reading these reviews 2 years ago when we were deciding if we should place her in the WAVE program, I really had some reservations. Eventually, we decided to do so and have not been more pleased. Remember that this program is growing. If most of the customers (i.e. students and their families) were unhappy, then then program would not be expanding.

Posted: August 3, 2013

I just finished my 8th grade year at Westbrook, and though it was one of the toughest years of my life, it taught me so much. Yes, there is a very heavy homework load, and the transition to the WAVE program from elementary school was a hard one. The mini-courses give the students an opportunity to learn about things that interest them outside of school. Still, WAVE isn't for everyone, only for those who are willing to work for a great education. If you manage your time well, you can still fit in everything you want to. I know from personal experience that keeping up with a very time consuming extra-curricular activity while still getting straight A's is very possible. I'm not going to lie, the work load and the classes are tough, and there's a limit to how far back a student can fall before it gets unhealthy. It a student is struggling, the teachers are very helpful, and they can be put in lower classes, but, the most important thing is to actually try. I've seen half-hearted people fail because they didn't study, and the competition is tough. It really isn't for every gifted child, but for those who find it tailored to their needs, enjoy it like I did.

Posted: February 19, 2013

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.

Posted: August 8, 2012

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.

Posted: February 5, 2012

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

Posted: January 4, 2012

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.

Posted: December 3, 2011

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.

Posted: November 10, 2011

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.

Posted: November 6, 2011

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

Posted: September 23, 2011

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.