Welcome to 

West Hill Elementary School

 

At West Hill School, Everyone Belongs. We are committed to creating a safe, positive, welcoming, and inclusive learning community where every child is known, valued, and supported. Through high expectations, culturally responsive practices, and restorative approaches that strengthen relationships and build understanding, we create communities of joy and belonging where every student can reach their full potential.
Our exceptional staff is dedicated to supporting each child’s academic, social, and emotional growth. We recognize and celebrate the unique strengths, identities, needs, and experiences that every student brings to our school community. It is our hope to partner with families to make each child’s elementary school experience meaningful and rewarding while continuing the Tradition of Excellence that is a hallmark of West Hill.

At West Hill, we are deeply committed to meeting the unique needs of every child. Our school is proud to offer four specialized programs that nurture and support students in meaningful ways: Bright Beginnings, Kids in Progress (KIP), The Learning Center (TLC), and COMPASS.

All of our students benefit from a wide range of support services, including reading and math specialists, a Multilingual (ML) program, a school psychologist, social workers, occupational therapists, a BCBA, a physical therapist, special education teachers, speech and language pathologists, a certified library/media specialist, tutors, and paraeducators.

Enrichment opportunities are available before, during, and after school and include gardening, art, running, martial arts, a Newcomers Club, and adaptive programs designed to support students with a variety of needs and interests.

West Hill is fortunate to have a full-time BluePath therapy dog at our school! Delia is a beloved member of our school community who brings comfort, connection, and smiles to students and staff. She enjoys welcoming students to school, listening to students read and offering comfort when the need arises. 

Our teachers collaborate to support students through a comprehensive Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Through ongoing collaboration and data-informed decision-making, we work to identify student strengths and needs and provide targeted support to help every child succeed. We also use the Second Step program to support social-emotional learning and implement Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to promote a positive school climate.

Our school-wide YES Expectations encourage students to Respect Yourself, Respect Everyone, and Respect Our School. Students who demonstrate positive choices can earn YES tickets, which help reinforce our shared commitment to creating a caring and respectful community. Each week, a student from every classroom is selected to receive a free book, courtesy of our PTO. When the school earns enough YES tickets, we celebrate together with a school-wide Spirit Day!

Restorative practices are an important part of our approach to building and maintaining a positive school community. We focus on developing meaningful relationships, helping students repair harm when challenges arise, and strengthening their ability to communicate, problem-solve, and grow. Alongside culturally responsive practices, these approaches help ensure that every student feels respected, represented, heard, and valued.

Our School Improvement Plan focuses on enhancing academic achievement, tailoring instruction to students’ unique strengths, needs, and interests, and supporting their social and emotional well-being. Our Safe School Climate and MTSS committees meet regularly to monitor progress, review data, identify trends, and guide our ongoing efforts toward achieving these goals.

We offer ongoing professional learning to support staff growth and student success. Teachers have dedicated planning time and collaborate in grade-level data teams to analyze student progress and plan future instruction. Co-teaching, collaboration, culturally responsive teaching, and a shared commitment to continuous improvement help ensure that every student receives what they need to reach their full potential.

We value the strong relationships we share with our West Hill families and offer many opportunities for parents and caregivers to engage in school life. Our August Meet and Greet, parent-teacher conferences, and Open House provide opportunities for families to connect with teachers and learn more about their child’s educational experience. Additional events, including ML Family Night, our annual art show, school concerts, Spirit Night, and PTO-sponsored activities, further strengthen our home-school partnership. Our partnerships with families are integral to the success of our students.

The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain a top priority. All staff members are trained in ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) strategies to support proactive emergency responses, and we practice safety drills throughout the school year. A School Resource Officer from the Rocky Hill Police Department is also assigned to our school building and is a valued member of our West Hill community.

West Hill School is proud of its Tradition of Excellence. We have been honored as a Blue Ribbon School and named a School of Distinction in 2016, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024. In addition, we were selected by the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) as the 2019–2020 Elementary School of the Year.

We take tremendous pride in our students, staff, and families and feel privileged to be part of such a wonderful and caring community. At West Hill School, everyone belongs, every voice matters, and together, we help every child learn, grow, and thrive! 

 

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