Westside Elementary School

Posted: October 24, 2019

There are many anti bullying campaigns and inclusion events.

Posted: October 24, 2019

Leadership recently changed. Can not say anything positive or negative.

Posted: October 24, 2019

I do not know as my daughter does not have a learning disability.

Posted: October 24, 2019

Posted: October 24, 2019

Most of the homework involves reviewing or studying for a test. The school day is longer than any other state (9-4 everywhere else has been 9-3). so I feel they get a large majority done while in class.

Posted: October 24, 2019

I have met a lot of amazing, dedicated, and wonderful teachers. The teachers deserve any rating I give as the building is old, the equipment is outdated, and no school busses are available for clubs. The teachers impress me everyday though!

Posted: October 24, 2019

I love the school as the teachers are amazing. I wish the clubs were cheaper as everytime my kid does anything they are asking for money. I think we spend close to $200-$300 in clubs or are asked to and opt out. The school rents bouncy houses, buys cups, pens, bully bracelets and misc stuff which is wonderful, but I wish it went towards equipment or club expenses. My kids have gone to five schools and I do feel like everything is expensive except the run club. Recently my daughter came home with 12 anti-bullying bracelets as the kids were throwing them away and she “saved them”. The teachers are amazing and wonderful though so kuddos to them!

Posted: January 18, 2017

Posted: January 18, 2017

Posted: January 18, 2017

Posted: January 18, 2017

There has been a recent district-wide shift to develop these traits in its students. I am very pleased with this change, but this shift is still in its infancy. Good things are happening!

Posted: January 18, 2017

This topic is a mixed bag for me. We have had some teachers who seem to just show up to work and provide students with the curriculum, and some teachers who truly care about the kids and find creative ways to teach. We have experienced both ends of this spectrum.

Posted: January 18, 2017

The amount of homework depends on the teacher, but our current teacher asks that the students read 20 minutes a day, studies for tests, and get some time on the ST Math program in each week. It's reasonable and flexible, which is great when you take into consideration the LONG school day and extracurricular activities.

Posted: January 18, 2017

Our family has had students in this school for three years now. It is a large school, 800+ students for three grade levels. Classroom sizes are around 25 students per class. Two years ago, I would have given the school a lower rating. However, there have been recent improvements that I have been very pleased with. The current principal is very dedicated to her post (there were three principals in as many years recently). There is a real effort to acknowledge the students' accomplishments and good deeds through a weekly newsletter. As mentioned in a previous comment, the office staff is incredibly helpful. We have learned that a student's experience here depends GREATLY on the teacher. We have had both good and bad experiences in this department. With the recent change of focus, district-wide -- teaching cooperation, citizenship, critical thinking, etc., instead of teaching to the test, I have a lot more confidence in keeping our two children in the Isle of Wight County Public Schools than I did before.
I would also like to mention here that the PE teachers and the library/media teacher are incredible! I LOVE them!

Posted: January 18, 2017

The school has greatly improved in the last few years! The administration changes have put excellent people in charge of the school! They are slowly but surely giving the facilities the facelift that they need- including a new playground coming soon! There are some truly spectacular teachers in the school and some normal good teachers- just like at any school. The admin is very receptive if you ever have a concern about your student and will do everything in their power to help alleviate those concerns. We feel like our child is getting a great education and great guidance on what it means to be a responsible caring member of society.

Posted: January 17, 2015

AMAZING 5TH GRADE STAFF, THEY GO ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR MY SON, I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER WITH THE STAFF

Posted: July 8, 2014

We are a military family that moved here last summer with a 6th grader who attended Westside this past year. My daughter had an amazing "team" of 4 teachers, but she complained a lot about the behavior and distraction with larger class size and kids goofing off all the time (tweens...) My only complaints would be the school lunches are kinda yuck with not a lot of fresh, healthy options (most schools are like this nowadays, though) and the building/facilities are just old and dated. The school needs a facelift. I like that the doors to the school are locked and you need to "buzzed in", especially because the immediate neighborhood around the school is unsavory at best. Overall a decent school.

Posted: February 12, 2013

I absolutely love this school. We transferred from Newport News and they were beyond helpful. Both of my daughters are excelling and the teachers are great!!!!

Posted: January 6, 2013

These reviews seem really dated....we are thinking about moving to the area and would really like to see some that are more current.