Located at 5056 Tacon Drive, in Orlando, Florida, is West Creek Elementary. The school has classes for students starting in pre-kindergarten, as well as kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade. It features before school and after school programs, has bilingual educators, gifted and talented programs, and is one of the best performing schools in the Orange County School District.
There are approximately 47 teachers working in the school and about 745 students attend. The student to full time teacher ratio is about 1 to 15, which falls in-line with the state average. West Creek students break nearly even in gender, with approximately 51 percent girls and 49 percent boys. Spending per student averages $8,150 each year. The school earns a 9 out of 10 rating from the site, Education.com
West Creek Elementary Ratings
In 2014, this school ranked well-above most of its peer incumbents, earning 92.8 percent over all other elementary schools in the state of Florida. It also secured the 12th spot out of 131 elementary schools in the Orange County School District. For the past seven years, West Creek has earned high percentiles, starting in 2007, when it earned 89.6 percent. It improved in 2008, to 93 percent, and again in 2009, to 93.9 percent. In the years 2013 and 2014, it earned 90.9 percent and 92.8 percent, respectively.
“Florida’s School Recognition Program acknowledges the quality of public schools by giving financial rewards based on sustained or significantly improved student achievement in reading, mathematics, science and writing. Schools eligible for recognition awards include those receiving an ‘A’ school grade, improving at least one letter grade from the previous year, or improving more than one letter grade and sustaining the improvement the following school year. Alternative schools that increase their school improvement rating or are rated ‘Improving’ also qualify for awards. The school staff and school advisory council at each recognized school jointly decide how to use the financial award.” —Florida Department of Education
Just last year, West Creek Elementary received $65,831 in state funds for being one of Orange County’s best performing educational facilities. Students at this school perform well on the FCAT, scoring in the mid-70’s percent of meeting or exceeding state standards, in math. In reading, students scored approximately 78 percent for the same standards, and 70 percent in science. These scores represent higher marks that other elementary schools in the district by 12 percent in math, 9 percent in reading, and about 20 percent in science.
Curriculum and More at West Creek
During the school year, classes are held from 8:45 a.m. until 3 p.m. dismissal, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesday’s school hours run from 8:45 a.m. until dismissal at 2 p.m. Each grade puts emphasis on reading, math, and science, but also, there are specifics for certain grades. For instance, kindergarten students are exposed to algebraic thinking, measurements, language arts, and writing development.
There are before school and after school programs which feature extracurricular activities for students and parents are highly encouraged to volunteer and be involved with students. Parents may access and view their child’s progress online through a portal called “Progress Book”. More information can be found on the West Creek official website.