West University Elementary

Founded around 1928, West University Elementary School (WUES) was originally connected to Pershing Middle School, which later moved to its own campus. By the 1970s, the elementary school was described by some as “deteriorating”, but was rejuvenated by parents in the 1980s. With a $9.6 million budget, HISD expanded the school to its current size in 2006.

West University Elementary

3756 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77005                                                      Mr. John T. Threet, Principal

(713) 295-5215                                                                                         Ms. Tracey Wyatt, Magnet Coordinator

www.HoustonISD.org/WestUniversityES

Religious Affiliation

None.

Location and Facilities

Although part of HISD, West University Elementary is technically located in the heart of the city of West University Place at Auden St. and University Blvd. Built in 1928 and boasting 43 classrooms with an addition in 2006, the school is surrounded by playing fields, affluent single family homes, churches, boutiques and a police department.

Admissions

The school’s Magnet Program application can be printed from the HISD website. WUES requires: 1) birth certificate 2) prekindergarten progress report 3) current report card 4) previous year’s final report card.

Magnet students at the school participate in an “in-depth, process-oriented study of math and science.” The school boasts that students participate in hands-on activities and gain critical-thinking and problem solving skills.

Academic Tracks and Curriculum

WUES offers a Magnet program that is a Math, Science and Technology School-Wide Program (SWP). The school also offers gifted and talented classes. To continue to each grade, students must make a yearly average of 70 or above. Students in 1^st and 2^nd grade must pass a high frequency word test, while students in 3^rd – 5^th grades must pass the STAAR exam.

Special Needs

West University Elementary follows HISD standards for working with students with special needs. The school offers Skills for Learning and Living (SLL), Resource Services, Speech Therapy and English as a Second Language (ESL).

Foreign Languages

No information provided.

Arts

The school offers West U Hands On Art monthly to students during the school day, led by parent volunteers, for students to learn about artists and create artwork using a variety of materials. The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) also sponsors the annual WUES Art Night for K-2^nd graders.

Technology

The school has 280 computers, 150 of which are PCs, and the other 130, Macs. The school’s policy for using technology follows HISD guidelines.

Extracurricular Activities

WUES offers clubs, such as Monthly Mustang, No Place for Hate, Chess Club and Name That Book. Community service opportunities at the school include Shoes That Fit and UNICEF K.I.N.D. For the Shoes That Fit project, students donate thousands of shoes and socks to 13 elementary schools. For K.I.N.D., or Kids In Need of Desks, the students raise money to purchase desks for children in Malawi. WUES also hosts annual events, such as the Book Fair, Science Night and International Festival.

Athletics

West University Elementary offers Track for both boys and girls.

Parent Involvement

Parents can join the PTO, which is in charge of the Shoes That Fit and UNICEF K.I.N.D. service projects, along with the Pony Express newsletter and annual events. Parents can also host Sociables, which are parties for either parents or students to meet, greet and raise money for the PTO. HISD offers an online portal called Parent Student Connect (PSC) for parents to stay abreast with students and teachers.

West University Elementary Fast Facts

Overview
School Type	Public, Magnet, Coeducational
Religious Affiliation	Nonsectarian
Uniforms	Dress Code Only
Date Founded	1928
Endowment	N/A
Grades Served	PK-5
Enrollment	1197
Grade 5	152
Grade 4	162
Grade 3	179
Grade 2 Grade 1 KG PK	220 224 243 17
Student to Teacher Ratio	17:1
Faculty with Advanced Degrees (#/%)	32%
Minorities in Student Body	33%
Curriculum
Academic Tracks Offered	On Track, Magnet, Gifted and Talented
Advanced Placement Courses Offered	N/A
Languages Offered	N/A
Calendar (Semester / Trimester / Other)	Semester
Interscholastic Sports Programs	N/A
Public School Stats (Public Schools)
Gifted and Talented Students	53%
Free and Reduced Lunch	2%
AYP (2007-2012)	Met AYP
TEA Accountability (2007-2011)	Exemplary

 

Excerpted from General Academic’s publication, “Houston Private & Select Public Schools: Survey, Analysis, and Research, 3rd Edition.”