Executive Summary

Description of Our School

Wes-Del Elementary School, located in Gaston, is a K-5 building that serves over four hundred students. Our student population comes primarily from Western Delaware County. About thirty percent of our population are transfer students from all over Delaware and surrounding counties. Our school hosts a Pre-Kindergarten on site for four year olds and an Early Learning Center for two and a half to three year olds in a separate facility. Wes-Del Elementary is the only elementary school that feeds into Wes-Del Middle/High School which is located about five miles away. We feature a dedicated staff of thirty teachers and numerous support paraprofessionals. Our related arts teachers (Art, Music, Band, Library, STEM, and Physical Education) are all licensed in their content areas. We have a student support services coordinator, a behavior specialist, and two building administrators. We are fortunate to have a progressive PTO that assists with funding numerous projects and initiatives.

our School's Purpose

Our school is the shining star of the town - providing a welcoming, safe, and encouraging learning environment with high expectations and a rigorous education to all students. Our school’s mission of “Reaching and teaching every student, every day” is something the staff takes to heart. We value seeing our students grow both academically and socially each year. We take pride in being a small school that provides big opportunities to our students. Students enjoy many traditions each year such as Back to School Night, Staff vs. 5th Grade Kickball, Field Day, Music Programs, Roller Skating Nights, Pep Sessions at the High School, and even a Chicago field trip.

our STEM Focus

Our focus on STEM education is certainly not new, but is something that we have worked hard to continue to develop and grow. We wish to be on the cutting edge of STEM education and offerings with a goal of being the premier STEM school in east central Indiana. Incorporating STEM activities and lessons is the norm in our classrooms and collaboration between grade levels and departments is something that occurs frequently. We have members of our school corporation and area businesses that make up a STEM Advisory Committee that meets at least twice a year to discuss and provide feedback on our programming. Different community partnerships have also enhanced what our students experience with STEM by exposure to guest speakers, field trips, and even “product feedback” on different projects. Discussions are happening now with area businesses about how our school corporation can produce the type of worker needed to staff local entities which could, in effect, keep some of our best and brightest right here in the community after graduation.

Wes-Del Elementary is quite proud of the learning environment and experience we offer to our students. Our hope is to produce students that have had a solid academic and STEM experience to not only be successful at the middle and high school, but to be successful in their future endeavors.