WAIS Authorized for IBCC, grades 11 & 12

On Wednesday, WAIS teachers and staff received notification of authorization to offer the International Baccalaureate Career-Related Certificate. The IBCC program is an option for students entering 11th grade to combine the high level rigor of IB coursework with career focused courses. In addition to Career and Tech related courses offered on campus, WAIS is also working with SBISD's Guthrie center to increase student options. 

WAIS first group of students to pursue IBCC includes around 20 students entering 11th grade this upcoming fall.

With the authorization to offer IBCC, WAIS now offers three IB programs, making it an IB Continuum School. As of the authorization visit, only two schools in all of Texas are authorized to offer IB MYP, IBCC, and IB DP.

Learn More About IBCC (PDF)

WAIS Graduating Class of 2014

In the past few days, more than 2,000 graduating seniors from Spring Branch ISD have walked across the stage at Don Coleman Coliseum, highlighting with a few steps one of their “life” moments in which years of growth, learning and achievement are capped off by celebration and embracing the future.

For all graduates, their families and the entire Spring Branch ISD community, it has been a Saturday and a Monday evening to remember, one filled with enormous pride and tearful moments of joy! Graduation ceremonies were streamed live on the district website, and images of the day were posted online and through a variety of social media.

In special remarks, Superintendent of Schools Duncan F. Klussmann, Ed.D., told graduates to focus on the journey ahead. He urged them to be a part of the district and community goal to double the number of graduates who complete some form of higher education or technical certification. This district goal is known as T-2-4.

“The success of our school district is not in how well you do while you are with us, but how well you do when you leave us,” he stated. SBISD’s commitment extends past Graduation Day.

Dr. Klussmann told graduates that they will receive a letter from the school district soon asking them to remain in touch, but also providing all graduates with a phone directory for key staff from the district and their high schools to help them directly should issues or questions arise in the weeks or years ahead. 

Westchester Academy's Graduation was held on the evening of June 2. 

In addition to a variety of scholarships awarded from a variety of schools and organizations, including over $1 million awarded to the 24 seniors in Collegiate Challenge, the Westchester Alumni Association awarded scholarships to multiple seniors of the Class of 2014. 

Graduates from the WAIS class of 2014 received acceptances to schools to a wide range of schools, including, but not limited to, American University, Baylor, Carleton College, Colorado School of Mines, Culinary Institute of America, LSU, Oklahoma State, Rhodes College, Rice, Swarthmore, Texas A&M, Texas State, UT, University of Arkansas, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri, & Wesleyan among others. 

Students also received acceptances to schools in central america and europe, such as the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow. Results from Australian schools not yet received due to a different academic calendar.

Congrats WAIS Senior Class of 2014!

Valedictorians & Salutatorians Announced
SBISD's Collegiate Challenge Celebration & Stats

Video of WAIS Class of 2014 Commencement
Photos of WAIS Class of 2014 Commencement

WAIS mentioned in Chron's OM Article

From: Pupils prep for world 'Odyssey' finals

Excerpt:
Walnut Bend will be joined at the world finals May 28-31 in Ames by four teams from area schools in Spring Branch Independent School District. Those teams come from Spring Woods High School, Westchester Academy for International Studies, Spring Oaks Middle School and Cornerstone Academy.

See the full article by Annette Baird on Chron.com

Odyssey of the Mind invites you to Sweet Tomatoes!

Click to Enlarge

Three WAIS Odyssey of the Mind teams competed in the Texas State Tournament on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at Spring Woods High School.

The 11th grade team (Mia Alfonso from Memorial High School, Mitchell Benson, Caroline Bik, Josh Diaz, Daniel Garcia, Cassandra Ung and Paige Williams) came in 1st place in Division 3, Problem 4 - the Stackable Structure. The team advanced to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, held May 28-31 at Iowa State University in Ames, IA. Coaches are Karen Benson and Jill Williams.

The 10th grade team (Adrian Villalobos, Diana Villarreal, Gustavo Rocha, Sara Farrokhi, Sam Farrokhi and Sarah Gualy) came in 4th place in Division 3, Problem 3 - It's How we Rule. Coaches are Elizabeth Villarreal and Farideh Farrokhi.

The 7th grade team (Kaivon Dixon, Dash Jacobs. Madeline Schulman, Meredith Schomburg, Brock Rhebergen, Brian Chung and Ethan Rosenthal) came in 8th place in Division 2, Problem 3 - It's How we Rule. Coaches are Lharissa Jacobs and Amy Schomburg.

We are so proud of these students and the hard work they did to achieve these wonderful results.

The 11th grade team is fundraising to help defray the travel expenses and you can help by joining them on Thursday, May 15th, at Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant, 8775 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024 (on the southside feeder road of I-10, between Campbell and Voss).

If you bring the attached flyer and buy dinner and a drink, Sweet Tomatoes donates 15% of the proceeds to the team. You get a great meal and support us at the same time.  However, if you forget your flyer, a team representative can give you a replacement. Thanks so much for your consideration and we hope to see you at Sweet Tomatoes on Thursday night.

Are Pupils Permitted to have this Much Fun on a Project?

WAIS recently mentioned in Chron.com article by Tom Behrens:

Excerpt: In the meantime, other art students and teachers at Spring Branch school district campuses have put finishing touches on their own art cars. Spring Forest Middle School, Westchester Academy for International Studies, Academy of Choice and Memorial High School all have entries.

See: Tom Behren's article on Chron.com

ChildrenAtRisk announces top schools

The Children At Risk organization and the Education Resource Group partnered to research and rank the top schools in Houston. The public school rankings included 58 school districts plus charter schools around Houston. The results were announced Monday.

Of the top schools, majority of them are magnet or charter type programs. However, unlike WAIS, most screen and are very selective of which students are allowed to attend. We were still able to make the top 10; ranked at #8.

See the full listing on Click2Houston.com

Volume 30 of the Miacis, the 2012/13 edition of Westchester Academy's annual student publication, was recognized by publisher Balfour Yearbooks. Our publication will be listed for Honorable Recognition in Balfour's 30th edition of the Yearbook Yearbook. Only a bit over 15% of publications are recognized in Balfour's Yearbook Yearbook.

Created by WAIS yearbook students, Nicole Son of the class of 2013 served as editors and planned the creative direction and style of this year's book. The books visual theme focused on elements and layouts inspired by modern magazine design. The cover featured a matte designed by Nicole Son. WAIS faculty Shaun Wegscheid served as yearbook advisor.

In the past three years, this is the second edition of the Miacis to be recognized in Balfour's Yearbook Yearbook.