Our 3rd Grade students had their annual Spelling Bee today, May 20, 2022, that lasted an impressive 15 rounds!

All of our 3rd Graders did an excellent job, but our students who placed in the top three are:

1st Place – Isaac from LE1

2nd Place – Atticus from LE2

3rd Place – Dani from LE2

The winning word was convivial, an adjective that means friendly, lively, and enjoyable – a very fitting description of their 3rd-grade class. We want to congratulate all of them for working so hard throughout the year to get to this point. They are all so impressive!

We have had an extensive waitlist for several years, and have decided that expanding our Preschool program into a fourth classroom will be a great benefit to our community. We are currently reviewing candidates to round out our Preschool team of teachers, and we are very excited for what the next school year will bring us!

With the growth of our Preschool program, we would like to highlight the importance of our 3-year-old through Kindergarten classrooms and the way that they set the stage for the future of the student’s Montessori education. 

A unique aspect of Montessori classrooms is the three-year cycles that allow the youngest students in a classroom to learn from the oldest in the classroom. In the Preschool classroom, the Kindergarten students become the leaders as they set the example that the 3 and 4-year-old students will follow. The younger students have the opportunity to watch and observe their older classmates perfect these skills as they work through their own lessons. 

This open sharing of knowledge between students, as they move from being the beginners to the experts of the classroom, creates an environment for continued growth throughout the 3-year cycle. Students then enter their Elementary years with this foundation of collaboration and community and the confidence for success.

A fourth classroom will also come with some construction over the summer – so be gracious if you notice any dust or stray furniture in the building during Summer Camp or if you just drop by to visit.

The community of Westwood is made up of so many great students, parents, staff, and more!
Below are testimonials from various community members about their experiences at Westwood.
Thank you for making us Westwood Strong!

“I came to Westwood from seven years of university teaching. As a small private school, it didn’t have the same resources for salaries as the big state and private colleges I had been a part of. But I was (and still am) thrilled to work at Westwood because it has a vision that I can believe in. We’re actually helping students here, treating them like individuals and helping them grow, and I haven’t found that anywhere else. Nothing would mean more to me than the community supporting us and our mission and keeping Westwood strong for many years to come.  

More than any school I’ve seen, Westwood prepares students for all the responsibilities of adulthood. From early Montessori principles (like cleaning up after yourself) to International Baccalaureate classes (witn in-depth analysis and long-term projects), students get their best chance.

Coming to Westwood was eye-opening. I was surprised by the rich experiences of the other teachers who had traveled the world, excelled in their own high school careers and been heavily recruited by colleges, and developed talents in multiple areas of life. I couldn’t assemble a better group of teachers to serve as examples for the students.
Working at Westwood is the best job a teacher could ask for. The focus is entirely on the students, on helping them grow in knowledge and character. “

B. Rushton, Westwood Staff

“For 15 years, our family grew together under Westwood’s umbrella. While we were still growing as parents, Westwood gave us the gifts of Montessori language to use at home, as well as ways to create engaging learning opportunities at home for our daughter. Westwood’s Montessori curriculum meanwhile taught our daughter to master concepts before moving on, to seek help when needed,  to feel confident when speaking and presenting, to stay true to who she is, to embrace the individuality of others, and to care for the well being of the people and world around her.  When moving into the IB curriculum, these pillars of character, community and excellence  were firmly planted and allowed her to grow into a  more global and critical thinker, while also allowing her to find success and comfort in tackling the new social challenges of her teenage years. At all levels, she saw the staff as a source of guidance, trust and respect, which carried into her relationships with adults in the community and at home. As a Sophomore in college now, she continues to adapt and find great success in navigating the new world of adulthood because of her experience at Westwood.”

M. Lucas, Westwood Alumni Parent

“‘You moved halfway across the country just to attend Westwood?!’ It’s a question that I get asked frequently when I tell people the reason why we moved from Southeastern Pennsylvania in August of 2018.

Our children had attended an AMI Montessori school in Pennsylvania from the time they were each three years old. It was a school that we loved and the style of learning worked well for our kids. Since it continued only through sixth grade and we were interested in pursuing the Montessori method of learning through high school, I started doing my research years in advance and found that there were only six schools in the country (at that time) that continued through twelfth grade.  

In February of 2015, my husband and I flew to Dallas to meet with Ms. Georgini who welcomed us and gave us a tour of the impressive facility. We were thrilled to find a school that matched what we felt were important qualities in a Montessori school environment….small classes of blended grades, exceptional teachers that were more like learning facilitators, students who were respectful and curious, and parents who were involved and engaged. We were also excited that Westwood provides the International Baccalaureate program for all students and that our children would be challenged all through high school.

That summer we visited again for our children to attend summer camp at Westwood, and as they attended two weeks of exciting summer camps, my husband and I toured the Dallas area. As we learned to navigate the busy city, our kids were making friends, getting to know their teachers, having lots of fun, and loving Westwood as much as my husband and I had during our first visit.

We returned to Westwood for summer camp the following year and decided that this was the school for us. This was not a decision that we took lightly, especially since all of our friends and family are in Pennsylvania. However, we feel that our children’s education and their learning environment is the building block for becoming successful and happy adults. We are so pleased with our decision to move to Dallas and we know that giving our children the opportunity to attend Westwood was an investment in their future which the whole family will benefit from throughout their entire lives.”

G. Saville, Westwood Parent

Dear Westwood Community,

Yesterday afternoon, Texas Governor Greg Abbott extended the closure of all Texas schools until Monday, May 4th, as well as the Texas Shelter in Place guidelines through April 30th.  Through our school’s accreditation with AdvancEd and the state’s private school guidance body, Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC), Westwood is included in this mandate.

While this is not the news we wanted to hear, it was not unexpected as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise.  We encourage Westwood families to remain at home and follow recommended health and safety guidelines. Westwood faculty and staff will maintain online education and support for our students.  We are so proud of the work our faculty is already doing, and we continue to adjust as necessary to deliver the very best education we possibly can to our students. We understand that these circumstances have also created difficulties and adjustments for our families, and we appreciate all that you have done to learn and grow with us through this process.

We hope that these measures will keep as many people as possible safe from the spread of this illness.  It is our greatest hope that we will see everyone in person on May 4th so that we may finish the school year, including annual celebrations. In the meantime, administration is working to provide online social gatherings and alternative ways to meet the needs of our community.  We are also continuing to make summer plans with the expectation of delivering a full summer program and an exciting 2020-2021 school year.

We wish everyone the best health and peace in the coming month.

Sincerely,

Heather Lourcey
Head of School

Dear Westwood Community,

We are confident that everyone found ways to have fun and rejuvenate during the past week of Spring Break. By now, everyone is settling in to a new normal and is ready to dive into some creative, online learning.

Based on Governor Abbott’s statewide mandate, Westwood will remain closed through Friday, April 3rd.  It is our hope that by strictly adhering to all the social distancing directives we will not only keep our small community safe, but also contribute to the health of our wider DFW metroplex.

Classes for Upper School will begin on Monday, March 23rd, and assignments, videos, etc. will be available for Lower School on Tuesday, March 24th.  All families will receive communication from their prospective Academic Deans regarding online platforms and instruction. In addition, Lower School parents please accept your child’s classroom Remind requests. This will be an important method for communication amongst Lower School parents and teachers.

Beginning this Monday, March 23rd, an administrator will be on hand between the two campuses in the event that a student needs material they may not have taken home, as well as to assist with class pet exchanges and food, etc. and other school administrative needs. Call the Midway campus 972-528-9024 or Proton campus 972-239-8598 to verify someone is there before arriving.  

Several school events will have to be postponed, rescheduled or canceled.  Next week’s scheduled Community Meeting will be rescheduled for early April as an online gathering.  The International Festival will have a new date set for the Fall 2020 Semester. Even with these community events postponed, we still want to keep in touch through social media – let’s connect!  Please send in your photos and videos of fun/family activities you are doing at home, as well as the online and self-directed learning your students are accomplishing to either Natalie Avery at navery@westwoodschool.org or Kim Worthen at kworthen@westwoodschool.org – or tag us in your social media posts.

Regardless of how challenging the path ahead may be, we will remain true to Westwood’s mission of community, character and excellence.  This mission to which we have all committed ourselves is our true north. We will remain genuine and come out stronger than before by joining together, supporting each other and learning new educational paths.

We wish all of you the very best.

Sincerely,

Heather Lourcey
Head of School

Local senior among 7 newcomers to CSU women’s soccer team

Farmers Branch, Texas (11/27/18) – The Westwood School (Westwood) has announced that Caroline Lucas, a senior in its International Baccalaureate (IB) Program for high school students, is set to join Colorado State University Women’s soccer team beginning with the 2019 season.

The Westwood School will host a celebration honoring Lucas on Friday, November 30, 2018 at 2:15 p.m.  For an invitation and event details, contact Larry Lourcey, Westwood Athletic Director, at llourcey@westwoodschool.org or 972-528-9024.

Member of both Varsity Girls’ & Boys’ Soccer Teams

Lucas, a midfielder/forward from Lewisville, Texas, has played on both Westwood’s Varsity Girls’ and Varsity Boys’ Soccer Teams. She has earned varsity letters in soccer as well as track & field and cheer at Westwood. In both 2016 and 2017, Lucas was awarded all-state honors and named MVP of her soccer team. She was named Westwood’s female athlete of the year in 2016.

Celebration of Smiles Event Chair

Since her sophomore year, Lucas has led Celebration of Smiles, an event jointly hosted by The Westwood School and Larry Lourcey, Dallas Portrait Photographer, to raise funds for Operation Smile, an international medical charity that provides free corrective surgery for children with cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Dallas Sting Club Soccer Team Member

Lucas has also played for the Dallas Sting Soccer Club under Coach Tatu (Pecorari) in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). Named an ECNL All-Conference Top 11 player in 2018, Lucas helped her team earn the ECNL Texas Conference title.

“We came across Caroline about a year ago, and she comes from an excellent club in the Dallas area. I’ve seen her play on the flank and in the middle, and everywhere I’ve seen her play she’s had an impact, notes Colorado State’s head coach, Bill Hempen. “You can see the joy she plays with when she’s on the field, and we know she’ll bring that passion to us at CSU.”

“Caroline started in our Montessori program as a preschooler and will graduate with an IB diploma in May,” notes Heather Lourcey, The Westwood School’s Head of School. “She embodies the type of student our program is designed to develop – a caring young adult who is inspired to dream big and make it happen.”

About The Westwood School

Located in North Dallas, Westwood is a non-profit private school community that serves families of Preschool through 12^th grade students. The Westwood School blends IB and Montessori academic approaches that build intellectual curiosity and personal responsibility.

Recognized by Newsweek as a top IB school in the nation, the School encourages students to apply what they’ve learned versus simply acquiring knowledge. With a low student/teacher ratio, Westwood teachers work with each student individually preparing them for life. Everything centers on the balanced development of character, community, personal life skills and academic excellence.

The Colorado State University’s (CSU) women’s soccer team and head coach Bill Hempen announced last week that Caroline Lucas and 6 other newcomers are set to join the program beginning with the 2019 season. Click here to read the full press releases from CSU.

Lucas is the newest athlete from Westwood to join previous Wildcat college athletes including Tommy Manley, Class of 2105, who is attending New Jersey Technical Institute as a D1 school Fencer.  In 2016, Dean Lourcey attended Centenary College to play on their D3 baseball team.  This fall Jacob Tagert joined the D3 Hardin Simmons University soccer team.

The school will be celebrating Caroline’s accomplishment on Friday, November 30 at 2:15pm in the Midway Campus Black Box.

For additional information please contact Larry Lourcey, Westwood Athletic Director at llourcey@westwoodschool.org or call 972-528-9024.

During the National Competition, The Westwood School from Dallas, Texas defeated St. Peter Catholic School from Covington, Louisiana to win the Elementary division, finishing with a 7-0 record. Our team was the first three-person team in the thirty-six year history of the National Academic Championship to win a national title.

Along with winning the National Competition,  Westwood’s Niyathi Y. was named Orlando Most Valuable Player.

Join us in congratulating the effort of these students! Way to go Westwood Wildcats!

Pictured Left to Right: Jayanth Y., Kshaunish S., and Niyathi Y..

The class of 2018 has completed the rigorous International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, the high school curriculum requirements of the state of Texas and of The Westwood School and have proven that they are ready to graduate Thursday; transitioning into college, career and a life of meaningful work.

The class of 2018 is a model for how to proceed through school. That which they model is not merely adherence to tradition, but brings creativity about how to improve our community. This class is made up of students who have been at Westwood for most of their lives, while others have joined us more recently. Either way, it’s a community of support that we build at Westwood.

The students have completed 10-15 long-term IB Diploma Programme Assessments, the 4,000 word IB Extended Essay as well as many hours of community service. Their class of 14 students earned 79 college acceptances from the United Kingdom to California to New York and everywhere in-between. The class of 2018 was awarded approximately 2 million dollars in scholarships!

Congratulations to Westwood’s Class of 2018! As always, remember to show true character, build strong community, and strive for excellence.

Skyler Adiguzel

Oklahoma State University

Mackey Almy

New York University

Autumn Beck

Southern Methodist University

Reese Davis

Southern Methodist University

Abdullah Haris

University of Texas at Austin

Abigail High

University of Texas at Austin

Andrew Kurz

American University

Beau Lourcey

PLAN II Honors, University of Texas at Austin

Sara Miah

University of Texas at Austin

Eric Ponce

Vanderbilt University

Jacob Tagert

Hardin-Simmons University (playing collegiate soccer)

Sam Villota

University of North Texas

Lovie Williams

Xavier University of Louisiana

Camille Wilson

George Mason University