Our Community
Westwood Elementary School is located in the Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD). It was established in 1957, and parent-involvement has always been a wonderful part of our school culture. In 1961, the parents of Westwood planted a forest of native Californian trees and shrubs. The forest, like our school, is uniquely beautiful and still thriving today!
Westwood serves students from preschool through fifth grade. Westwood's transitional kinder (TK) through the 5th grade program has grown into a total of eighteen (18) classrooms. Our TK class has a 20:2 adult ratio, with a classroom teacher and support paraprofessional in the classroom. Our Primary classrooms (grades K-3) support a learning environment of a 22:1 ratio and Upper-Grade classrooms (grades 4-5) support a learning environment of a 27:1 ratio.
As part of our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), we are able to offer intervention and EL support through additional staffing to support students struggling academically. Westwood also has a Wellness Coordinator who helps support social-emotional learning and organizes both counseling intern support and PIP (Primary Intervention Program). The K-5 program also has a resource program for students with qualifying IEPs (individualized education plans). Our students also have access to 1:1 technology through the use of Chromebooks in the classroom.
Westwood also houses a non-categorical Special Education preschool program of three classes for qualifying students who are 3 and 4 years old. Within this program, there is also EIBI (Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention) support, an OT (Occupational Therapy) Center, and a dedicated Speech and Language Pathologist for speech support. Westwood is also home to SCUSD's preschool assessment team.
Westwood's population is one of diverse strengths and needs. As such, staff has had the opportunity to create a positive and safe environment for students of all cultures, ethnicities, and academic abilities. We consider this to be a strength, as our students have enjoyed a living microcosm of positive intercultural relationships. Having a student population that collectively speaks 26 different languages shapes our instructional program. The two dominant languages spoken by our children are
English and Spanish.
Westwood has a very active PTA (Parent Teacher Association) and School Site Council (SSC), which provide financial assistance and leadership to many school programs. Westwood PTA host various fundraisers including an annual Fall Festival, Red Ribbon Week, Stories Under the Stars, and a spring Multi-Cultural Festival. In addition, parents run the book fairs, help with yard duty, volunteer in our garden plots, and plan activities for teacher appreciation week. Many also volunteer for numerous tasks throughout the school year as needed.