WESTSIDE INNOVATIVE SCHOOL HOUSE INC
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Mission Statement
WISH Charter is a free, public independent charter school authorized by the Los Angeles Unified School District. The WISH mission is to maximize every scholar's learning potential within an atmosphere of caring and belonging. The WISH instructional philosophy rests upon the concepts of hands on learning, meaningful instructional activities, systematic instruction, and a collaborative group of professionals working together to make the learning environment exciting for students. Evidence-based teaching strategies are tailored to meet individual development. In April 2013, WISH was named a SWIFT Knowledge Development Site by the University of Kansas due to exemplary work implementing our core tenets - one of only six schools in the US selected for this auspicious designation. WISH has also been asked to host "Promising Practices" seminars for district schools by the LAUSD.
About This Cause
Core tenets of the WISH model: Optimal Class Size: All Kindergarten through third grade classrooms have 20-22 students; all 4th and 5th classrooms have 23-25 students; all Sixth through Eighth grade classrooms have approximately 28 students. Collaboration and Co-teaching: Highly qualified, credentialed educators are partners in planning, teaching, and assessing each student. In addition to classroom teachers, teaching specialists support each grade level and move between classrooms to enrich learning opportunities. Music, Art, PE, technology, and specialty teachers utilize a co-teaching model to increase adult to student ratios, provide tailored instruction, and demonstrate best practices for all scholars. Each staff member participates in a 30-minute debriefing session daily. During debriefing, staff members reflect on the day and share a success, challenge, and action plan for serving children better. Differentiated Instruction: WISH empowers and inspires learners to reach their highest potential. With an emphasis on academic achievement using a variety of modalities, developing character, building technology skills, and a deep understanding of the world, WISH prepares students to be leaders. Family Partnerships: The WISH Community Association (WCA) is comprised of parents, students, teachers, staff members, and community members. Working together, we have built an incredible public school that is responsive to each student we serve. Volunteers are central to the success of WISH. The partnerships built with families have led to a thriving and nurturing environment for students. As part of our commitment to a whole-person approach to education, the WISH faculty and parent association work together to raise additional funds to ensure that all students receive high quality art, music instruction in voice and theory, physical education, and technology instruction. All Students Growing and Thriving: Each class builds a strong, inclusive community together! Each summer, teachers attend professional development institutes on gifted and talented education, technology, and differentiated instruction. Important academic, social, and ethical skills and attitudes are developed when students with various strengths, needs, and backgrounds learn together. Affiliation with Loyola Marymount University's School of Education: WISH has an affiliation with the LMU School of Education that provides the ability to collaborate, continually study, and improve the instructional model at WISH while maintaining best educational practices. LMU's nationally recognized School of Education is located in close proximity to the WISH campus. "Tell me, I forget. Show me, I remember. Involve me, I understand." Chinese proverb WISH adheres to the idea that people learn best by utilizing the principles of the constructivist theory. Constructivism emphasizes an internal-oriented approach in which by asserting one's knowledge, as well as participating in the learning process itself, learning is constructed by learner's interpretation of their own experiences. Learners benefit from working collaboratively in groups so that they can hear different perspectives and accomplish the learning tasks with the help of their peers and experts. Learning is an active process that is facilitated when learners are given chances to express and evaluate their own thinking. Grade Levels WISH offers instruction in grades Transitional Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. Through individualized learning profiles, WISH empowers and inspires learners to reach their highest potential. With an emphasis on developing character, technology skills, and a deep understanding of the world, WISH prepares students to be leaders. WISH is modeled after the award-winning CHIME Charter Elementary School in Woodland Hills, which received the distinction of "Charter School of the Year" by the US Dept. of Education in 2005.