About West Side
School Profile
Vision
The of West Side Elementary School vision is for all students to learn to their fullest potential.
Mission
In partnership with families and the community, the mission of West Side Elementary School is to be an innovative learning environment that nurtures the unique talents and gifts of every student and fosters individual potential to maximize future opportunities.
Beliefs
- We believe curriculum should be rigorous and relevant to provide students with an enriching learning experience.
- We believe instruction should be grounded in the latest science of teaching and intentionally designed to support the individual learning needs of all students.
- We believe caring and trusting relationships among students and educators in schools are vital for the success of the whole child.
- We believe in the collective responsibility of all staff members to achieve our common mission and vision.
- We believe all students and staff deserve a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment.
- We believe the support of families and community strengthen our school, and educating students is a collaborative partnership.
Motto
There’s no place like West Side!
Awards & Honors
- 2023 - Georgia Department of Education Advancing Achievement Schools
- 2023 - RAMP Certification
- 2019 - Marietta Daily Journal Best of Cobb County - Public Elementary Schools
- 2018 - Governor's Office of Student Achievement - Highest Performing Schools
- 2017 - Governor's Office of Student Achievement - Highest Performing Schools
- 2016 - Governor's Office of Student Achievement - Highest Performing Schools
- 2012 - Exceptional Library Media Program
- 2011 - Governor's Office of Student Achievement - Bronze Award
- 2007 - Academic Improvement Platinum Award
- 2002-2011 - Nine Consecutive Years of Adequate Yearly Progress
- 1985 - Georgia School of Excellence
Student Support Services
- Gifted Education
- Talent Development Program for Advancing Academic Potential
- Advanced Content courses in 3rd-5th grade
- Comprehensive School Counseling Program
- Early Intervention Program (EIP)
- Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
- Speech/Language Services
- Special Education Services
- Daily small group reading instruction for all students in K-3rd grade
Student Activities
- Weekly Specials Instruction (includes Art, Music, PE, STEM, and Innovation)
- Before and After School Program with enrichment classes
- Singing Stingers Chorus (4th-5th Grades)
- Daily Student Produced News Show (4th-5th Grades)
- Honors Chorus (5th Grade)
- Safety Patrol (5th Grade)
- Reading Bowl (5th Grade)
- Junior Reading Bowl (4th Grade)
- Girls on the Run (3rd-5th Grades)
- Student Council (2nd-5th Grades)
- Student Ambassadors (4th-5th Grades)
- Yearbook Committee (4th-5th Grades)
- K-Kids, in partnership with Marietta Kiwanis Club (2nd-5th Grades)
- Drama Club (3rd-5th Grades)
- Science Swarm (K-5th Grade)
- InVenture Prize (3rd-5th Grade)
- Parent-led before and after school activities, including Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts, Awakening, and Sonrise
- School-wide service activities
- School-wide career day
Facility
- $13M in facility renovation & modernization completed in 2023
- Outdoor Learning Center (PTA Legacy)
- Complete furniture refresh in 2023
- New Cafeteria Addition completed in 2023
- New Playground Renovation completed in 2019
- Newly Renovated Gymnasium completed in 2019
- $5.5M in renovations/new classrooms completed in 2007-2008
- One to one Chromebooks in grade 1-5
- One to one laptops in grade K
- 55 iPads
- Interactive Whiteboards in all classrooms
- STEM lab (PTA Legacy)
- Innovation Lab (PTA Legacy)
- Sport Court
- Performance stage and auditorium
- Multimedia production room
- Multiple grade level garden, school green house, and on-site composting
PTA-Sponsored Family Events and Activities
- Fall Festival
- Pizza on the Playground
- Pastries with Parents
- Stinger Auction
- Grandparent's Day
- "Reflections" contest and reception
- Stingers Serve Week
- Cultural Arts Programs
- Second Grade Play
- Spring Fling and Art Show
- Fifth Grade Talent Program
- Popsicles on the Playground
- Spring Teddy Bear Tour for rising kindergarten students
Faculty & Students
- 100% of teachers in K-3rd grade completed Science of Reading credentialing
- 80% of teachers hold advanced degrees
- 75% of teachers hold gifted endorsement
- One MCS Employee of the Year on Staff
- One National Milken Award Winner on Staff
- Alumni return to teach
- Ten Principals in 70 years
- Active PTA
- Student Enrollment: 550 (FY23)
- Average class size: 20
- Number of teachers: 46
- Number of reading specialists: 2.5
- Uniforms: Yes, Unified dress code policy Monday through Thursday
Our Tradition of Academic Excellence
West Side opened for the 1949-50 school year with Henry Kemp as a teaching principal. During the 2019-2020 school year, West Side celebrated its 70th Anniversary!
Building additions were made in 1950, 1957, 1963, 1980, 1990, and 2005.
West Side is a 1985 Georgia School of Excellence, and was the first Marietta City School to achieve such an honor.
Many families in the West Side district have had generations of family members attend our school. Over the years, our student population has diversified. However, our tradition of academic excellence continues. A challenging curriculum, highly trained staff, innovative materials, and technology have created a successful learning environment that consistently yields high achievement in standardized and performance-based assessments.