{"id":1252,"date":"2016-09-13T11:42:23","date_gmt":"2016-09-13T16:42:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.westwoodschool.org\/?page_id=1252"},"modified":"2020-05-27T15:39:07","modified_gmt":"2020-05-27T20:39:07","slug":"our-mission-and-vision","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.westwoodschool.org\/about\/our-mission-and-vision\/","title":{"rendered":"OUR MISSION AND VISION"},"content":{"rendered":"

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About<\/a> | Head of School<\/a> | Mission and Vision<\/a> | The Westwood Way<\/a> | Board of Directors<\/a> | Faculty & Staff<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” side_padding=”10″][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Mission and Vision<\/h1>\n

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Over 30 years of Montessori with over 10 years of IB<\/h3>\n

Our vision, as teachers, parents and staff, is to encourage students in responsible citizenship so each can make a positive, personal contribution and actively participate in the national and global community. In a welcoming supportive environment, The Westwood School mission is to provide and develop:[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15″][vc_tabs style=”horizontal”][vc_tab title=”Character” tab_id=”6dc9db1c-50d5-2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1485965011871{margin-top: -25px !important;}”]Westwood intends that graduates go out into the world not just to do\u00a0great<\/em>\u00a0things, but to do the\u00a0right<\/em>\u00a0things. At Westwood, we remain wholeheartedly committed to providing an exceptional education that emphasizes\u00a0personal ethics<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/strong>individual responsibility<\/strong>-all within a caring, supportive community. Character<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tab][vc_tab title=”Community” tab_id=”cf2f8646-0e9a-10″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1485965046261{margin-top: -25px !important;}”]Westwood commits to leaving this world a little better than we found it, and becoming a little better ourselves through that process. Students practice the art of giving back in dedicated service to others. One manifestation of this philosophy is our tradition of\u00a0student-to-student mentoring<\/strong>-affording each student the opportunity to solidify personal skills while guiding peers. Likewise, our\u00a0partnership\u00a0with parents<\/strong>\u00a0invokes many traditional as well as unique opportunities for parent involvement. \u00a0Community<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tab][vc_tab title=”Excellence” tab_id=”1474575758488-2-2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1485965076196{margin-top: -25px !important;}”]Westwood offers students a\u00a0challenging<\/strong>\u00a0and innovative <\/strong>course of study that culminates in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, the most highly regarded High School degree in the world. In keeping with the Montessori ideals of the school, Westwood presents students with\u00a0real-life experiences and hands-on learning<\/strong>. Excellence<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tab][\/vc_tabs][vc_empty_space height=”15″][vc_column_text]These three qualities are the pillars of Westwood\u2019s culture. Specific emphasis is placed on student character; we instill in them the ability to thrive in an ever-changing world. We inspire voluntary learning, a sense of independence and self-confidence. The result is a habit of excellence and the necessary values to think critically and act responsibly. Parents become partners with Westwood in an educational process which is inclusive and diverse. We draw together children and families from around the world, including all segments of the Dallas community. Our student body represents over 40\u00a0different countries. With this wide community base, our students’ world view is broadened and their potential for academic excellence is emphasized.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u00a0A Blend of Two Academic Philosophies<\/strong><\/p>\n

Imagine a school where intellectual and physical adventures are the possibility. Imagine a place where one\u2019s mind is challenged and stretched as you learn, the scope of community is broadened, and the outdoors is a landscape of opportunity – \u00a0where friends are made for a lifetime; where you discover you have the courage to go beyond your reach, to see yourself from a different perspective. Imagine a school where excellence is valued and learning is fun. This is the Westwood Way.<\/p>\n

We are an International Baccalaureate World School, implementing the IB Diploma Programme (DP), with a Montessori foundation. At The Westwood School, students engage in Montessori from Toddler through Upper Elementary (two years old through 6th Grade) under fully-trained lead guides. These Montessori foundations carry through High School, and beginning in 11th Grade students enter the\u00a0International Baccalaureate Programme as they progress towards their internationally acclaimed diploma.<\/p>\n

Learn more about the\u00a0Montessori or\u00a0International Baccalaureate curriculum in grades 7-10<\/a>\u00a0and the IB DP curriculum in grades 11-12<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For more information or to visit our campus. Please call us at the Main Office (972) 239-8598.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”parallax” parallax_content_width=”full_width” text_align=”left” full_screen_section_height=”no” parallax_side_padding=”10″][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” side_padding=”10″][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” side_padding=”10″][vc_column width=”1\/3″ alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”10″][vc_single_image image=”1439571″ img_size=”350X450″ qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space height=”10″]What is the Westwood Way?<\/a>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Montessori Method<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_accordion active_tab=”FALSE” collapsible=”yes” style=”boxed_toggle”][vc_accordion_tab title=”What is the Montessori Method?” title_color=”#00853e” background_color=”#f7f7f7″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1480538500684{margin-top: -20px !important;}”]What we now refer to as the Montessori Method was developed over a hundred years ago. One of the great pioneers in the study of child development was\u00a0Dr. Maria Montessori. Dr. Montessori, a physician in Rome, Italy, became interested in how the brain functions. She started her work with children with mental deficiencies and in 1907 began to work with\u00a0other children.<\/p>\n

Her interests led her to realize that children love order and repetition, have a large capacity for concentration, and achieve satisfaction from successful completion of tasks. Dr. Montessori revolutionized education by developing environments and materials that allow the spark of genius inherent in each child to shine.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”The Montessori Philosophy” title_color=”#00853e” background_color=”#f7f7f7″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1480538560895{margin-top: -20px !important;}”]Montessori is child-centered and is a series of three-year cycles.<\/p>\n

In a Montessori classroom, the \u201ctriad\u201d balance is:<\/p>\n