Mission

Our mission is to ensure that all students grow in their academic ability and develop into responsible and innovative global citizens.

To this end:

• We will create a nurturing, safe, and respectful learning community with high expectations for ALL learners. Their individual learning needs will be met through a differentiated curriculum across all content areas to ensure they can access a well-rounded education. 
• We firmly believe in data-driven instruction with frequent progress monitoring of students to know exactly where they are and allow for technology-rich instruction that drives learners forward to achieve their potential and expand their capabilities
• We will support learners in all of their future ambitions and develop learners who are effective communicators; collaborators; creative critical thinkers; global and ethical citizens; and goal-directed, resilient learners.

Vision

The best way to achieve the mission of Westgate Elementary is for all stakeholders to work together as a professional learning community that values relationships between all of its members. 

We envision a school where:

• Staff members work together through weekly grade-level Collaborative Learning Teams (CLTs) and vertical team meetings across Special Education, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Advanced Academic Programs (AAP), and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS);
• Staff members use a variety of relevant assessments to drive instruction;
• Staff members participate in professional development opportunities that continue their learning, improve their classroom practices, and raise student achievement;
• Staff members use culturally responsive pedagogy that allows all students to see themselves and learn about and from each other
• Staff, parents, and the community support each other and build relationships to increase feelings of belonging for all learners;
• All members of the community value diversity and equitable access to education for all learners that widens perspectives and dispels prejudices and fights harmful stereotypes;
• Students follow the Westgate Way by respecting themselves, respecting others, and respecting property every day;
• Students take responsibility for their actions and their learning through goal setting and reflection daily;
• Students understand how to be responsible digital citizens and follow the Westgate Way when using any devices or digital platforms; and
• Students are challenged to think critically and learn essential understandings, knowledge, and skills at each grade level.

Values 

To achieve the vision of a school that functions as a professional learning community, the Westgate staff has made the following collective commitments:

• We will use CLTs to analyze all available data from assessments, observations, or interactions to determine how to differentiate instruction best and ensure each learner is receiving what they need to grow in their abilities
• We will use assessment data to drive instruction and guide the development of goals for each student. Remediation and enrichment will be provided to students to ensure they can meet their goals;
• We will develop relationships with students, parents, staff, and the community through open and frequent communication to support each learner in growing and reaching their academic potential;
• We will focus on staff development and professional learning to increase our abilities and reframe best practices during staff meetings;
• We will develop schedules to provide uninterrupted math and language art blocks and MTSS times for reteaching at each grade level. Planning time will be aligned for grade level collaboration between all relevant stakeholders; and
• We will have school-wide recognition of student growth, achievement, or character through assemblies, morning news show segments, bulletin boards, newsletters, notes, emails, TalkingPoints messages, and notes sent home.

Culture

Westgate Elementary School is in the Tysons Corner area of Northern Virginia and opened in the fall of 1968. The student population exemplifies a rich, diverse cultural heritage representing over 39 countries. Westgate offers a warm and stimulating climate in which children come first. Westgate is part of Region 5 of Fairfax County Public Schools.

The school embraces the collaborative approach to education, focusing on parents, staff members, and the community working as a team to promote the academic growth and success of each learner. Students are heterogeneously grouped in classrooms. Dedicated staff members provide a program that promotes intellectual curiosity, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, and self-discipline. The early childhood program focuses on the total development of the child and the process of learning.

The Westgate school plan includes initiatives relating to language arts, math, science, and social studies. Technology is used as a tool for learning. The visual and performing arts and the physical development of each child are vital parts of the school program. Teachers plan together to design a meaningful, well-developed program for all students. FECEP is a valuable preschool experience for many students. Dedicated and talented staff members collaborate with parents to ensure an inviting, child-centered environment that emphasizes academic excellence and a positive nurturing school culture that honors diversity and strives for equitable access to education to allow for success for all learners.

By being child-centered, involving students in real-life experiences, empowering students to be responsible for their learning, making the arts and physical development an integral part of the program, and using technology as an essential learning tool, Westgate is preparing its students for their future.