The Winter Hill Community School (WHCS) is a child-centered, academically rich environment that serves an ever-changing population of students from culturally diverse backgrounds. It incorporates kindergarten, elementary, middle school, Sheltered English Immersion (SEIP) and Special Education programs taught by an experienced and caring faculty. The WHCS team provides successful educational experiences for every student through strong connections with the community, identification of common goals, enhancement of staff skills through extensive professional development programs, and activities designed to prepare students to master the local curriculum frameworks. As a result of our improvement efforts, students receive focus instruction during longer blocks of literacy and mathematics.
The vision of the WHCS is to ensure that all students excel academically, and are promoted from the eighth grade with the skills and knowledge needed to be successful at the secondary level without remediation. Ultimately, the goal is to promote the development of students to be college ready when they graduate from Somerville High School. The Winter Hill Community School has coordinated a school-wide effort to have all students show measurable growth in comprehension through the implementation of common best practices. Student growth will be measured by school-based and statewide assessments as well as informal assessments.
The WHCS provides students with a well-rounded curriculum, emphasizing success in the major academic areas. Teachers conference with students to help them set individual goals and make progress toward reaching them. Student play an active role in their learning and overall education. While technology does not drive the curriculum, students are taught to use it as a supplementary tool for improving educational efficiency. With the aid of technology, students have a chance to demonstrate their acquired skills through a variety of curriculum's projects. WHCS teachers, counselors and administrators, working together with parents and the community, take an active role in the academic development of students. The WHCS After School Program delivers safe, developmentally appropriate enrichment and academic services for youth in Grades K-8. The Supplemental Educational Services (SES) Program offers on-site tutoring and has helped to improve student performance.
