Westside Neighborhood School
WNS is committed to creating a deeply caring community of lifelong learners that nurtures students from diverse backgrounds to reach their full potential, develop cultural competency, and inspire the world with their curiosity, innovation, compassion, and stewardship.
The school’s program is built on four pillars:
- Academic Excellence
- Character
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
- and Community
Faculty members model what they teach: respect and responsibility, love of teaching and joy of learning, sense of humor, open communication, and teamwork. Students are encouraged to be creative, independent, and self-disciplined. Westside Neighborhood School believes in the importance of fostering resilience in its students and value perseverance, effort, and learning from its mistakes. WNS students understand the importance of community while respecting individual differences. The goal is to instill in its students a love of learning, cultural sensitivity, and a deep understanding of the world both in and outside the classroom.
WNS embraces a positive, child-centered approach to education that strives to fully develop the potential of each student intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically. Its high academic and ethical standards encourage students to take responsibility for their learning and their behavior. Propelled by curiosity, WNS students are learners, doers, and makers. Students are provided with a platform to become entrepreneurs by nurturing their intrinsic ability to innovate. The program is designed to engage students in a project-based, active-learning curriculum that challenges all students to grow. The environment is steeped in a growth mindset where each child is able to experience success, embrace mistakes as a part of the journey, is confident in taking intellectual risks, and where individuals feel valued in their differences and value the differences in others.
Reviews
Finding a great school in a big city can be difficult and overwhelming. I must have applied to a dozen elementary schools of all different types – public, charter, magnet, dual language, SAS. Private had not even been on my radar, since I went to public school and had always assumed that my children would as well. I had heard about WNS from a few families in my neighborhood, and once I saw it and started learning more about it, it really stood out to me as a place that would be worth sending my daughter to.
We’re now in our second year – my daughter is in 1st grade and my son just joined the preschool – and I am completely WOWed by the school, the staff, the program, the community, etc. I love the diversity of the school (both the student body and the staff), the low student-to-teacher ratios, the work around growth mindset, and the focus on social-emotional learning and character development. I’m frequently amazed by the kinds of phrases my kids come home with and the skills they are developing at such a young age – they even work on “conflict resolution” in preschool! I also can’t say enough good things about the after-school program – not only is a spot always guaranteed for your child, but the enrichment classes offered right at the school are unbelievably convenient for busy parents. My kids have gotten to experience yoga, tennis, soccer, ceramics, science, music, performing arts, cooking, and more.
Beyond the school, the efforts to build a strong community right from the start – both within a class and across grades – makes you feel like you are part of a family. It was a really big decision to send my kids to WNS, but I feel so good every day knowing that they’re there in such a warm, nurturing, and safe environment.
I am a parent of two kids who are currently attending WNS, and we absolutely love the school. The school's focus on teaching our children to be socially and emotionally good people is something we really appreciate. The teachers are amazing, they meet my children's needs, and they are always available to answer any questions or concerns we might have. We also appreciate the diversity and strong sense of community that the school fosters. The support and resources that are given to the parents are amazing as well. Not to mention, my children come home from school happy and can't wait to go back to school after a long weekend. We are truly grateful for this wonderful school.
We have been at WNS since 2019. We arrived from Asia and were welcomed into the community with open arms. Our girls have had to move schools a few times and the move to WNS was the smoothest transition of all. WNS’s focus on social-emotional learning has created a student body that is kind, compassionate and supportive of each other and both our girls have had a wonderful and enriching few years at the school. We also love the DK-8 model where the graduating students get more responsibility around the school and have an opportunity to be leaders before moving on to high school. We can’t speak highly enough of the school and are thankful for the strong academic and social- emotional foundation it has provided our girls.
We couldn't be happier at WNS. This is our 6th year with kids in 2nd and 4th grade. Our kids love school and they have a deep love of learning. Specialist classes are really great, the kids get 2 specialist classes a day which include art, spanish, design/code/make, PE and music. Reading and math are taught in small groups according to the student's individual level. Social emotional learning is an important part of WNS, and the adademics get more rigorous as grade levels progress. In 4th grade, they have homework each night and the expectation to keep track of their workload in a daily planner with parent signoff each night. The teachers are wonderful, they really know our kids as individuals. We plan to stay through 8th grade, it's a great place to be!
Our family couldn’t be more thrilled with our decision to enroll our son in the first grade at WNS. As a Jamaican and Black American family, finding a school where our child would feel safe, valued, and encouraged to thrive was a top priority. From the very first day, WNS has exceeded our expectations in every way.
The 4 Pillars of Academic Excellence: Character, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice (DEIJ), and Community are not just ideals at WNS—they are lived values that we see reflected daily in the experiences of our son and family. The school’s commitment to academic rigor has been impressive, especially through its use of project-based learning and differentiated instruction. The innovative and exciting curriculum keeps our son engaged and inspired, making every day an adventure in learning. His teachers ensure that lessons meet him where he is while challenging him to grow, which has helped him develop confidence in his abilities and a love for discovery.
What truly sets WNS apart is how they nurture the whole child. The thoughtful integration of social-emotional learning has made all the difference in helping our son transition smoothly. After just three months, he has developed genuine friendships and looks forward to coming to school each day with a smile.
The diversity of the student body and staff was one of the main reasons we chose WNS, and it continues to stand out as a strength. Our son sees himself represented in his school community, and as parents, we feel welcomed and embraced. This inclusive environment has made us feel confident in knowing that our son is growing up in a space where he is celebrated for who he is.
The teachers at WNS have been incredible—supportive, intentional, and deeply invested in our child’s success. Their warmth and expertise foster a classroom environment where creativity and collaboration flourish. The K-8 model also gives us great peace of mind, knowing that this is a community where he can grow academically, socially, and emotionally for years to come.
WNS has quickly become a second home for our family. We are deeply grateful for the school’s commitment to providing a dynamic, inclusive, and nurturing environment where our son can thrive. We couldn’t have asked for a better start to his educational journey, and we’re excited to see him continue to grow at WNS.