Recommend Westbrook Elementary?

[Anonymous]

Hello,
We'll be moving into the area, ¿can you share your experience/opinion on Westbrook Elementary? It is for a first grader. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I have a first grader at Westbrook and have had a very positive experience these past two years. The classes have increased in size (if you are comparing to even last year, they doubled in size) because Westbrook merged with a bunch of Somerset students. I was worried about it but the teachers appear to be able to handle it and we're happy about having new friends from all over the world. This year there are three sections of 1st grade of approx 21-25 students in each class; I don't know what there would be next year or for other grades.

Parents are quite involved and the PTA puts on a lot of extracurricular programming that everyone looks forward to (year end Carnival, Artist-in-Residence program in winter/spring, etc.). The school itself was old, they put on an addition about 10 years ago, and I think has a "homey" feel to it. The playground and fields are probably a little below average for the area but ok. Kids After Hours operates a fantastic before and after care that is exceptionally popular at the school if that is something you need. There are also after school clubs offered each quarter that go till about 4:30 pm.

Up until the addition of the Somerset folks who now live bussing distance away from the school (mostly), nearly everyone walked to school or was dropped off in car b/c everyone lived within 1 mile of the school. I have heard the bus routine has been chaotic this year due to COVID-related staffing shortages but that is not unique to Westbrook.

Also, it is hard to crack the housing market in Westbrook -- people don't like to leave -- so congrats on that! I think you will find it a sweet neighborhood with friendly and intelligent families. The kids often play on the weekend at the school grounds, gather at the Little Falls pool in the summer and are out biking on the streets.

[Anonymous]

We had family (now with high school kids) attend and that encouraged us to purchase here. The neighborhood is incredible, but the school has changed with the addition of a good number of kids; almost double. The principal who built Westbrook’s reputation retired a bit before the pandemic, but her legacy remained in large part. This year it has felt a tad chaotic and you can tell that staff and teachers are overwhelmed. The PTA is truly a FORCE and gives the school stability and community. This year in particular, the Artist in Residence (AIR) program and Carnival were ran fantastically. Our daughter participated in the 1st grade Indian dance offering through AIR and absolutely loved it.

[Anonymous]

No.
The principal is not a good one and has ruined the school.

[Anonymous]

Huh. So, some posters write thoughtful, detailed messages and someone else spews off one dramatic sense. Super helpful!

[Anonymous]

*sentence

[Anonymous]

Our child started at Westbrook this year as a Kindergartener. We heard from a number of parents with older children that the school had changed and felt like a different school, but our own experience has been positive. We don't know what the school was like before, except that it had a smaller population. I believe demographics have also changed with incoming students.
Our Kindergarten teacher was wonderful and the whole Kindergarten team seemed to work well together and care for the children. As other posters have said, we also valued the Artist in Residence Program that the PTA runs. We actually saw the PTA mother who worked with our child because the children recognized her and said hello during school pick-up one afternoon. She was equally lovely and you can tell what was mentioned that the PTA is very present. Carnival in itself is also something to experience. We don't use Kids After Hours as I am a SAHM, but others have said it is a practical offering and very convenient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our child started at Westbrook this year as a Kindergartener. We heard from a number of parents with older children that the school had changed and felt like a different school, but our own experience has been positive. We don't know what the school was like before, except that it had a smaller population. I believe demographics have also changed with incoming students.
Our Kindergarten teacher was wonderful and the whole Kindergarten team seemed to work well together and care for the children. As other posters have said, we also valued the Artist in Residence Program that the PTA runs. We actually saw the PTA mother who worked with our child because the children recognized her and said hello during school pick-up one afternoon. She was equally lovely and you can tell what was mentioned that the PTA is very present. Carnival in itself is also something to experience. We don't use Kids After Hours as I am a SAHM, but others have said it is a practical offering and very convenient.

What's the demographic like now? Curious as someone who's contemplating a move to Brookdale. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a first grader at Westbrook and have had a very positive experience these past two years. The classes have increased in size (if you are comparing to even last year, they doubled in size) because Westbrook merged with a bunch of Somerset students. I was worried about it but the teachers appear to be able to handle it and we're happy about having new friends from all over the world. This year there are three sections of 1st grade of approx 21-25 students in each class; I don't know what there would be next year or for other grades.

Parents are quite involved and the PTA puts on a lot of extracurricular programming that everyone looks forward to (year end Carnival, Artist-in-Residence program in winter/spring, etc.). The school itself was old, they put on an addition about 10 years ago, and I think has a "homey" feel to it. The playground and fields are probably a little below average for the area but ok. Kids After Hours operates a fantastic before and after care that is exceptionally popular at the school if that is something you need. There are also after school clubs offered each quarter that go till about 4:30 pm.

Up until the addition of the Somerset folks who now live bussing distance away from the school (mostly), nearly everyone walked to school or was dropped off in car b/c everyone lived within 1 mile of the school. I have heard the bus routine has been chaotic this year due to COVID-related staffing shortages but that is not unique to Westbrook.

Also, it is hard to crack the housing market in Westbrook -- people don't like to leave -- so congrats on that! I think you will find it a sweet neighborhood with friendly and intelligent families. The kids often play on the weekend at the school grounds, gather at the Little Falls pool in the summer and are out biking on the streets.

My kids haven't started school yet but I live in the neighborhood and echo the last part!

I have heard the same re overcrowding at the school but encouraged by some of the PP experiences on this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our child started at Westbrook this year as a Kindergartener. We heard from a number of parents with older children that the school had changed and felt like a different school, but our own experience has been positive. We don't know what the school was like before, except that it had a smaller population. I believe demographics have also changed with incoming students.
Our Kindergarten teacher was wonderful and the whole Kindergarten team seemed to work well together and care for the children. As other posters have said, we also valued the Artist in Residence Program that the PTA runs. We actually saw the PTA mother who worked with our child because the children recognized her and said hello during school pick-up one afternoon. She was equally lovely and you can tell what was mentioned that the PTA is very present. Carnival in itself is also something to experience. We don't use Kids After Hours as I am a SAHM, but others have said it is a practical offering and very convenient.

What's the demographic like now? Curious as someone who's contemplating a move to Brookdale. Thanks!

We're a non-white family in Brookdale, and our kids attend Westbrook. It's a decent mix of ethnicities and nationalities. With the rezoning there's more economic diversity too. But it's still a rich, white area. That being said, we love Brookdale and feel so lucky we moved here from big city because it combines city conveniences and walkability with small town neighborliness and safety.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the above comment that the principal is not good and ruined the school. She is not kept updated with the latest scientific research on how to develop the welling of students. She heavily relies on the other staff in the school but uses her authority to suspend anyone she feels like. Unfortunately, she is also a racist and not honest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the above comment that the principal is not good and ruined the school. She is not kept updated with the latest scientific research on how to develop the welling of students. She heavily relies on the other staff in the school but uses her authority to suspend anyone she feels like. Unfortunately, she is also a racist and not honest.

As someone with kids at westbrook, this poster seems unhinged. All the positive stuff in earlier posts is true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the above comment that the principal is not good and ruined the school. She is not kept updated with the latest scientific research on how to develop the welling of students. She heavily relies on the other staff in the school but uses her authority to suspend anyone she feels like. Unfortunately, she is also a racist and not honest.

Time to put the Pinot Gris down and step away from DCUM for a while.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the above comment that the principal is not good and ruined the school. She is not kept updated with the latest scientific research on how to develop the welling of students. She heavily relies on the other staff in the school but uses her authority to suspend anyone she feels like. Unfortunately, she is also a racist and not honest.

As someone with kids at westbrook, this poster seems unhinged. All the positive stuff in earlier posts is true.

it’s not hinged, it’s someone’s experience. There are over 500 family goes to school, yours is not mine. You can disagree but please don’t attack.

[Anonymous]

ED program is a nightmare there.