WELCOME TO WESTWOOD 2023-2024!

Families of 7th and 8th grade students:

This is the time to make plans for the 2023-2024 school year. During middle school, students begin to have choices in the courses they take. As they explore and make selections for next year, we want students – and our middle school families – to be well informed.

This guide provides descriptions of classes that are available for students in grades 7-8 at Westwood. There are courses with various levels of academic rigor along with opportunities in music and electives.

Middle school course selection is a good time to begin thinking about future plans for high school and beyond. Selecting classes with each student’s educational goals in mind is very important to us, and our team is ready to support students in the process.

In middle school, we focus on helping students establish productive work and study habits that will carry them into their high school and college years. This is also a time to explore. As students have an opportunity to go deeper into their interests and passions, there is a growing sense of Panther Pride in our classrooms, at our performances and on the field.

As you have questions about the opportunities available or want to connect further, reach out to your counselor or contact any one of us.

Tom Larson, Principal, tlarso@district16.org

Tyler Nelson, Associate Principal, tnels1@district16.org

Angie Shea, Associate Principal, ashea@district16.org

Our Purpose

Our district purpose – “High expectations. High achievement for all. No excuses.” – provides our focus to meet the unique and varied needs of each student.

Our Vision

Our vision for the future is to be a world-class learning community aligned around:

• Fostering personalized experiences so that each student feels valued, inspired, and has a sense of belonging,

• Resulting in college readiness, and the development of academic, life and career skills so that each student has aspirations for success.