The District

Centralized in 1946, the West Seneca Central School District is one of the largest central school districts in Western New York

25 square miles including portions of the towns of West Seneca, Cheektowaga, Orchard Park, and Hamburg

7,555* students in 12 school buildings

3,804* kindergarten - sixth grade students in seven elementary buildings

1,309* seventh - eighth grade students in two middle schools

2,442* students in two high schools and alternative learning center

Over 1,500 employees - teachers, administrators, and support staff

Total budget of $82,996,280 (2004-2005)

*Enrollment figures as of June 24, 2004

School/Community Connection

The West Seneca Central School District is strategically linked with business and post-secondary communities. Staff members serve on committees as members of the board of directors, and as officers of the West Seneca Chamber of Commerce. Chamber members provide work experience and internship sites, sponsor scholarships and shadow days, and serve as classroom speakers. The West Seneca Central School District currently has articulation agreements with five local colleges, advanced study credit offerings, and six college partners offering tuition-free courses with transcripted free credit. Local civic organizations are a resource for over two thousand hours of student community service activities annually. Local business representatives serve on West Seneca Central School District budget committees, focus groups, and building planning teams.

Technology

West Seneca Central School District has been and continues to be a trendsetter in the field of technology. More than 400 classrooms house over 3,000 internet-connected computers. Students routinely engage in net-researched projects that provide authentic learning experiences.

Academic Overview

The West Seneca Central School District is committed to a strong academic program. At the high school, over 10% of the students are enrolled in Advanced Placement Courses. Both high schools offer a National Finance Academy Diploma. Over 80% of our graduates seek higher education opportunities. Innovations such as looping through grade levels have been implemented in the elementary grades as well as middle school. A district-wide gifted and talented program exists at the intermediate and middle school levels. Our newly instituted 'Literacy Support Teacher' initiative is devoting concerted effort toward improving literacy skills in primary elementary levels in each of the seven elementary buildings. Our district-wide elementary math program is 'Everyday Math'; this program has been progressively introduced through the intermediate elementary grades. At the middle school, the 'Connected Math' program has been implemented.

Academic Support and English as Second Language

We provide academic enhancement programs in every school in a variety of formats, including before and after school, in-school support classes and a 'Saturday School' program. An English Language Learner (ELL) / Limited English Proficient (LEP) program is provided at our East campus (elementary, middle school, and high school). There are 24 distinct languages spoken by the children and families in the district.

Community Education and Summer School

In conjunction with regular instruction, the West Seneca Central School District provides a Continuing Education Program that enrolls 13,000+ participants. Occupational and vocational programs are offered to West Seneca Central School District students through participation with Erie 1 BOCES. A district-operated summer program for 800 students is offered yearly, as are summer enrichment programs for 300 students.

Special Education

A comprehensive special education program provides a full continuum of services. Students with disabilities are provided education within our district schools with attention to seamless, least-restrictive settings. More than 1,000 students with disabilities are served in least restrictive environment settings throughout the district. West Seneca participates in collaborative agreements with area social services agencies to enhance support for our students in need.