Learning with Purpose. Leading with Heart. Front Cover
Preschool | Elementary | Middle
W E L C O M E
Head of School’s Welcome At WNS, we believe children thrive when they are encouraged to grow not only as learners, but as human beings. With a strong foundation in academic excellence, a growth mindset, and countless opportunities to explore, our students learn to navigate an ever-changing world with confidence and compassion. From the Early Childhood Center through middle school, our students are guided to stretch their thinking, embrace challenge, and care deeply for their community. They learn to listen, include, resolve conflict, and act with purpose - skills that become the heart of who they are. Thank you for considering WNS. We look forward to partnering with you in your child’s journey of curiosity, character, and joyful discovery.
Brad Zacuto Head of School 1
W E L C O M E
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D I S C O V E R
Discover WNS Play, innovation, and a growth mindset are integral parts of a rigorous academic program. WNS is committed to creating a deeply caring community of lifelong learners that nurtures students from diverse backgrounds to reach their full potential, develop cultural competency, and inspire the world with their curiosity, innovation, compassion, and stewardship.
Curiosity is our curriculum.
“
The teachers are so kind and supportive. They always help you just the right amount. They don’t give you the answer to a problem or a question, but they work with you to find it out on your own” -Kashvi G.
6th Grade Student
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W E L C O M E
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P H I L O S O P H Y
Our Four Pillars At Westside Neighborhood School, “Learning with Purpose. Leading with Heart.” is more than a tagline - it’s a lived experience. Every child is encouraged to take risks, embrace mistakes, and celebrate the unique strengths they and others bring to the community.
Academic Excellence: Think Deeply. Create Boldly. Guided by passionate, expert faculty, WNS students engage in inquiry-driven, hands-on learning that sparks curiosity, builds confidence, and leads to authentic mastery. Rigorous, Differentiated Curriculum • Innovation and Inquiry labs • Real-world Application of Learning
Character: Lead with Kindness. We weave Character into our curriculum by nurturing confident, compassionate learners who lead with empathy. Through reflection and restorative conversations, students learn to understand perspective and make responsible, community-minded choices. Growth Mindset & Resilience • Restorative Practices and Reflection • Leadership Through Service.
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice (DEIJ): Every Voice Matters. Belonging is the foundation of the WNS experience. We celebrate every child’s identity and ensure that each student feels seen, heard, and valued. Our commitment to DEIJ strengthens our community and enriches every classroom. Affinity Spaces & Community Dialogues • Social Justice & Global Awareness Projects • Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices
Community: Together, We Grow.
Community is at the heart of WNS. Students, families, and faculty/staff build strong, supportive relationships that make our school feel like a second home. Strong Family–School Partnerships • Inclusive, Warm Campus Culture • Cross-Grade “Buddy” Programs
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E A R LY
C H I L D H O O D
C E N T E R
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P R E S C H O O L
Nuturing the Joy of Discovery Preschool at WNS is a joyful, play-based program where our youngest learners explore, create, and discover in a nurturing environment. Through hands-on experiences and caring relationships, children develop the social, emotional, and academic foundations that set them up for a lifetime of learning.
Early Childhood at a Glance Age 2 by August 1
Average student-teacher ratio 6:1
Play-based, social-constructivist, inquiry-rich program
Daily outdoor classroom and nature time
Reggio-inspired curriculum
Full-day, five-daysa-week program
Extended year option through June and July
After-class enrichment until 5:30pm
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There’s just been an explosion of curiosity in our son. From writing his name, to learning songs, to playing with friends in a meaningful way. It was something I was hoping for, but it’s far exceeded our expectations.”
- David M. Preschool Parent
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E L E M E N T A R Y
S C H O O L
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D K - 5
Building Confidence, Creativity, & Curiosity Elementary students at WNS learn by doing — building, writing, designing, and performing. Inquiry fuels mastery, and reflection deepens understanding. Through hands-on projects, STEAM integration, and joyful collaboration, students develop the academic and social skills to thrive in school and in life.
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We plant the seeds of flexible thinking, perspective-taking, and curiosity about the world - and it’s a joy to watch those seeds grow into a person who thinks critically and embraces new experiences and new people.” - Olivia H. Lower School Teacher
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Elementary Program Highlights Developmental Kindergarten (DK): Age 4 by August 1
y
16 students per class
Average student-teacher ratio 8:1
20 students per class
Average student-teacher ratio 10:1
Kindergarten: Age 5 by August 1
Program Snapshot: • •
• • •
Strong student–teacher relationships ensure every child is known Specialists in: - Art - Library - Music & Dance - Spanish - Physical Education - Science (beginning in Grade 1) - Design • Code • Make (beginning in Grade 2) Social–emotional learning and social thinking woven into curriculum Three class sections per grade (DK–5) After-class enrichment and classes (ACE & ACE+) extend learning and play until 5:30pm
M I D D L E
S C H O O L
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6 - 8
Belong. Lead. Become. Our Middle School combines rigorous, inquiry-driven academics with strong social-emotional support, helping students navigate adolescence with resilience and purpose. Students engage in hands-on learning, global thinking, and real-world problem-solving, all within a community where they are known and valued. WNS students graduate confident, capable, and grounded in who they are.
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Middle school has been an
amazing experience so far. At WNS, you get to celebrate your differences, and share them with others.” - Cora H. 8th Grade Student
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Middle School Highlights Program Snapshot: • Average of 18 students per class • Core Curriculum: - English - Math - Science - Social Studies - Design • Code • Make - Visual Art - Theater Art - Music - Spanish - Physical Education • Expert faculty • 120+ electives: robotics, design, debate, media arts, FabLab, muscial, and more • Leadership programs and student councils • Athletics: competitive sports teams • Social entrepreneurship and service learning capstone projects - 6th Grade: DIVE (Designing Innovations for Vulnerable Environments) - 7th Grade: SPLASH (Solving Problems for Los Angeles Society & Health) - 8th Grade: SWIM (Solutionary Work in Motion)
The culmination of a WNS student’s journey. SWIM sees students take their proposals from SPLASH and turn them into actionable projects.
• Overnight Retreats and Outdoor Education
WNS Faculty Highlights: • Over half of faculty hold advanced degrees • More than one in five WNS faculty and staff have been at WNS for over a decade • Our longest-serving faculty member has been a part of WNS for 35 years
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E L E C T I V E S
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E X T R A C U R R I C U L A R S
Discover What You Love At WNS, learning is active, joyful, and connected to the world. Students don’t just memorize facts, they explore ideas, ask questions, and make meaning. From coding robots to writing poetry, from design thinking to hands-on discovery, curiosity drives everything we do.
100%
of students involved in the arts
100%
of middle school students take on a leadership role
60%
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of students participate in competitive sports teams
consecutive years of M a t h Te a m p l a c i n g top 10 in Continental Math League
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playoff and semi-final consecutive years of robotics team qualifying appearances for Mock Trial team in the last 5 for SoCal Regional years Championships
Try something new or dive deeper into something you love. Sample electives include: • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Investment Club Sailing Theater Productions Model UN Debate Math Team Cooking Chess Jam Sesh Open Art Studio Dance Jet Set Chorus Geography Trivia
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C O M M U N I T Y
A T
W N S
Find Your Place and Your People No matter where you start, you’ll find your place at WNS. Students learn to think deeply, care deeply, and act with purpose — both in the classroom and beyond. At WNS, every student belongs and every voice matters.
Community Snapshot:
600+
students enrolled
60%
50+
zip codes represented
identify as students of color
100%
25%
receive tuition assistance
of students known, seen, and supported
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The WNS community is so welcoming and diverse. You can really be yourself here. - Sitara S. 8th Grade
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WNS makes me feel at home. It’s where both my kids and I feel most comfortable.” - Lydia A. 8th Grade & Alumni Parent
L I F E
A T
W N S
Joy Lives Here From the classroom to the playground, joy is woven into every day. Students form friendships, take creative risks, and find their voices through art, service, athletics, and play. Every tradition, celebration, and challenge helps students grow in confidence and connection.
Joy in Numbers
200+
pancakes flipped at the annual 8th Grade Pancake Breakfast
1050+ 10,000+ 40+ eggs laid by the ECC chickens each year
approximate miles travelled for field trips and retreats each year
species spotted on campus (bees, worms, butterflies, birds, ladybugs, the occasional opossum)
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L I F E
A T
W N S
Learning Beyond the Classroom Learning at WNS extends far beyond classroom walls. From tide pool explorations to global service trips, from fab labs to sports fields, students discover how their learning connects to the world.
Highlights • 150+ after-school enrichment (ACE) classes • 120+ middle school electives • 20+ trips and retreats across K-8 • 11 athletics league titles in past three years
8th Graders discovering the sights and history of Washington D.C. - a meaningful 6-day trip which commemorates our graduating class’ time at WNS.
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Middle school students have the opportunity to participate each summer on a Global Studies Trip. Here they are in Peru.
L I F E
A F T E R
W N S
WNS Graduates Thrive Graduates leave WNS confident, curious, and ready to lead. They’re known for creativity, collaboration, and character and are sought after by the region’s top high schools.
Matriculation Snapshot • 76% accepted to first-choice high school • 98% accepted to first or second choice • 50% accepted to every school applied to • WNS graduates enroll at 20+ different high schools annually
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Since leaving WNS, I
appreciate the community I had there even more. Going into high school, and now college, I look back on my time at WNS and realize it set the foundations for who I am today”. - Johannes A.
Class of 2021
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Thanks to WNS, I learned the
mindset of not giving up and the understanding that life is not just a straight line. I miss being at WNS all the time, but I can’t thank the teachers enough for everything they’ve done for me. - Lolly M.
Class of 2023
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S T U D E N T
C O N N E C T I O N S
Connected from Day One WNS students are part of a close-knit community where every child is known and valued. Connection is woven into daily life—through classroom collaboration, school-wide experiences, and moments that bring students together.
Ways Students Connect: • Grade Level Buddies: Students are paired across grade levels, creating meaningful relationships as older students mentor and younger students build confidence and connection.
• Family Groups: Every K–8 student, faculty, and staff member belongs to a multi-age family group led by middle school students. Groups meet monthly and stay together throughout a student’s WNS journey.
• Community Gathering: Weekly gatherings bring together DK–8 students and parents for school updates, presentations, and shared celebrations.
• Morning Sing: Our youngest students and their grownups gather weekly to begin the day with music, joy, and community.
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P A R E N T
C O N N E C T I O N S
A Community for the Whole Family From the moment you enroll at WNS, you become a part of an incredible community that supports each other in many ways. From the Parent Group to family fun events, there are countless opportunities for parents and caregivers to be involved in the life of the school and make meaningful connections with other families.
Ways Parents & Caregivers Connect: • Family Fun Events: Signature events like the annual Block Party and LitChella bring families together to connect, celebrate, and feel part of the WNS community.
• Parent Education Events: A range of learning opportunities designed to support, inform, and empower parents and caregivers.
• PartyBook! Events: Each year, families share their interests and cultures through PartyBook! events that strengthen community and support WNS through fundraising.
• The Jet Gala & Auction: Our premier social and fundraising event of the year, bringing the WNS community together for an unforgettable evening.
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A P P LY
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C O N N E C T
Ready to Discover WNS? Schedule a tour, meet our students and faculty, and see joy in action. We can’t wait to welcome you to our community. Contact: wns-la.org/admissions admission@wns-la.org (310) 574-8650
“A school that feels like home.”
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WNS is committed to creating a deeply caring community of lifelong learners that nurtures students from diverse backgrounds to reach their full potential, develop cultural competency, and inspire the world with their curiosity, innovation, compassion, and stewardship.
wns-la.org