Why do students come to WestSide High School? "It might be because of the strange teachers we have." - Alex, WSHS Student

WestSide is an "alternative learning program," not an alternative location:

Alternative learning programs offer a different way of learning than the traditional approach. Traditional high schools base learning on two things, how much time a student spends in a classroom chair (seat time) and standardized performance testing. You may have heard of a "Carnegie Unit." Basically, a Carnegie Unit is 160 hours of instruction which equals one high school credit. It has been used since the early 1900's and is still being used in our high schools today to determine state funding and academic credit.

However, it does not reflect an alternative approach of mastery learning or performance based learning. Alternative learning does not focus on how much time a student spends in their classroom chair (seat time), as much as it does demonstrated learning. Alternative learning uses the same learning standards and district approved curriculum but, they individualize instruction. For example, each student may be working on a different level of math in the same math room with many other students. What drives credit attainment in a alternative learning program is demostrated learning and passing the tests at an 80% minimum proficiency rate. You can not earn credit at less than 80% mastery of learning. Alternative learning programs are also provided to families as a choice.  See "How is alternative education different?" on the principal's page for more information.

Because this is so different than a traditional approach many people do not understand what is being offered or why a student may want to enroll. So, lets take a look at why students enroll in WestSide's alternative learning program.

Contrary to what you may have heard:

• WestSide is not a place for the "bad" students, we have all shapes, sizes and personalities
• Students are not mandated to attend WestSide because they have failed to meet standards at their other schools, WestSide is an option
• Suspended or expelled students do not attend WestSide, like any school, all suspensions or expulsions must be lifted for them to attend
• WestSide is not a "special education" school, it is an alternative approach to learning
• WestSide is not the "enrichment or gifted" school, we individualize based on the student's ability high or low
• WestSide is not the "vocational arts" school, we just have highly gifted art students

Most common responses from students why they attend:

• I didn't like my old school
• I want to catch up on credits and then go back to my old school
• No one cared about me
• I didn't get the help I needed from my teachers
• I did not fit in with my old school
• My brother/sister went here and he/she loved it!
• All my real friends are here
• I need the flexibility to be able to work during the day
• I need a school with daycare help
• I didn't like the fact that there were so many kids
• No-one took the time to get to know me
• I got in trouble and was suspended, then I couldn't catch up
• There was no flexibility on anything, it felt like no-one cared

Most common responses from parents why they choose WestSide:

• I want a small school setting for my student so they can get to know their teachers
• My student needs individual attention
• My student needs to be able to get finished with high school quicker
• My student needs more time to get things done
• The other school is not flexible on anything
• My other children went here and we loved it!
• My student was always fighting in the other school
• We just moved and we are already behind in the other school
• I want my student to attend a smaller school, they were intimidated in the large school

Principal's perspective:

Most students come to WestSide because of two reasons:

        1. The student has failed the system

        2. The system has failed the student

The "student failing the system" may be due to whatever internal conflcit the student is struggling with; family structure, poverty, neglect, safety/security issues, mobility, lack of support, etc.  These students usually act out or shut down which, unchecked, causes students to give up on themselves and school. In large school settings these students may set themsleves up long before they are discovered and as a result fall behind.

The "system failing the student" is easier to identify; no individual attention, no flexibility on scheduling, moving on when the student doesn't understand, holding students back who are ready to move on, lack of inclusion, lack of communication, etc. These students get frustrated due to non-common sense reactions from the system, "You haven't been coming to school so we are suspending you, I don't care if you were in the hospital, your parent did not call in your absence with the 24 hours alotted so you are not allowed to take the test."  These issues can easily be remedied with better communication and flexibility with the system. The traditional system was designed to manage the masses of students working their way through the system. This requires them to design rules and regulations that are based on a "one size fits all" philosophy. This does not make sense to many students coming through this type of system.

WestSide takes the time to find the voids and fills them with individual atttention, flexible scheduling, enrichment opportunities, getting to know each student, etc. Many times we see students and parents shocked that we allow them more time or counseling instead of exclusion. In a small school setting like WestSide is not easy to hide when you need help. Our system's philosophy is designed to address the individual, allowing time and support. This is why WestSide students and parents often say WestSide is like an extended family, they really care about the student first.

 

 

If you have more questions please feel free to call (509) 663-7947