Vestavia Hills Elementary West School - Vestavia Hills, AL

At Vestavia Hills Elementary West, the motto, "Courtesy, Respect and Responsibility: The West Way is the Best Way!" is exemplified daily by faculty, staff and students as a collaborative, inviting, risk-free atmosphere to learn that is established in every part of the school.

The mission of Vestavia Hills Elementary West is to ensure each student learns without limits by pursuing knowledge and igniting curiosity about the world through a system distinguished by a safe and nurturing environment, the courage to be creative, unparalleled community support, an appreciation of diversity and multiple paths to a bold future.

Within the West community, students, teachers, and parents experience a variety of different supports that contribute to the collaborative culture and exceptional learning environment in the school. Students are exposed to and provided with opportunities for learning outside of the classroom setting through book buddies across grade-levels, Rebel Readers provided through the community, Makerspace Club, Girls on the Run, Math Club, Continental Math League, Chess Club, grade-level music performances, daily enhanced library media lessons, career day, physical education programs that include participation in the Mercedes Marathon (community-wide) and Juvenile Diabetes Walk, and a yearly art show to share and express student artistic talents.

Teachers experience a variety of learning through professional development provided from both the district-level, and within the school setting in professional learning communities. Data meetings are job-embedded in order to collaborate on student progress. Opportunities for book studies and webinars are provided regularly for all teachers to extend their thinking and learning.