Westlake Academy- Any Information on this School? (Dallas, Plano: middle school, taxes)

[jtrichel]

Although our son is a private school in Dallas, we are interested in learning more about Westlake Academy. On paper, it sounds great. An IB curriculum/diploma program, only about 350 students currently, K-12, beautiful campus on a hill, charter school, guaranteed enrollment for Westlake residents at no cost.

Home prices in Westlake are not dissimilar from North Dallas and Park Cities ($1-2M), so with no tuition, it all sort of evens out. Does anyone know about this school either from personal knowledge, or reputation, research, etc?

thanks!

[nsumner]

Here is a link to parent's review from Greatschools.net

Parent Reviews of Westlake Academy - Westlake, Texas - TX

If you are local, you may want to go by there around the time the school lets out and speak to some parents.

Naima

[Big G]

The head of my wife's division recently built in Westlake. The school was a major attraction. Their kids are approaching middle school age, and they were wary of the Plano system and its "Super Size Me" approach to education. So far they are extremely happy with Westlake Academy.

Two caveats -
1) All attendees are "requested" to pony up a big chunk of change (I think $3000 or so) to help fund the school. You don't absolutely HAVE to do so, but I would expect a lot of cold shoulders among the soccer moms if you choose not to.
2) This school is only a few years old. They are making a lot of promises as to what the school will deliver in the future. Can they pull it off? Maybe, maybe not.

[jtrichel]

Big G, thanks. This is the kind of info I am looking for. When you figure North Dallas private schools can be up to $20k per year with housing pricing the same, the $3k donation you mention is a drop in the bucket, comparatively.

Do you know how long the Westlake Academy has been there? I share the concern about the future success of it... especially since we would be putting all eggs in one basket. In Dallas, there are lots of options for private schools. If we moved to Westlake, that's it...no other options out there (other than huge Carroll ISD, which is not an option for us).

[5stones]

I commented to you on hte FT worth forum htread..but here is when it opened

The Westlake Academy is an Open Enrollment Charter School which opened September 1, 2003 in Westlake, Texas.

again here is the website...Welcome Visitors

[nanna]

Originally Posted by jtrichel

Although our son is a private school in Dallas, we are interested in learning more about Westlake Academy. On paper, it sounds great. An IB curriculum/diploma program, only about 350 students currently, K-12, beautiful campus on a hill, charter school, guaranteed enrollment for Westlake residents at no cost.

Home prices in Westlake are not dissimilar from North Dallas and Park Cities ($1-2M), so with no tuition, it all sort of evens out. Does anyone know about this school either from personal knowledge, or reputation, research, etc?

thanks!

My daughter has been at WA for 3 years and my son 1 year and it is amazing! You could not ask for a better "small" community for you child to be apart of. I moved into Westlake so my children could attend the school and I have had no regrets. This school runs on half staff personal and the other half are parents who want to be apart of the wonderful things that are going on at WA. I am one of them!

And regards to the comment of the donation, which is $1800.00 per child, no names are ever spoken to anyone of who has or hasn't given. Since the school is a charter school it gets $1800.00 less then public schools get per child from the state. They just ask for that amount but you can give more, less, or none. It's completely up to you.

It would be worth your time to have a visit at the school. That is the only way you could ever really understand why WA has a waiting list for nonresidents up to 5 or 7 years. You can make an appointment by calling 817-490-5757

[loves2read]

I thought that since the city of Westlake asked for this charter that there were city taxes and the state's normal per-child payments--
are you saying that the taxpayers in Westlake do not have part of their ISD taxes to Northwest diverted to this school?

[loves2talk]

Originally Posted by jtrichel

Although our son is a private school in Dallas, we are interested in learning more about Westlake Academy. On paper, it sounds great. An IB curriculum/diploma program, only about 350 students currently, K-12, beautiful campus on a hill, charter school, guaranteed enrollment for Westlake residents at no cost.

Home prices in Westlake are not dissimilar from North Dallas and Park Cities ($1-2M), so with no tuition, it all sort of evens out. Does anyone know about this school either from personal knowledge, or reputation, research, etc?

thanks!

I am also seeking info....My son is a new high schooler there

[loves2talk]

I have done alot of research on Westlake academy... but am seeking info from parents of students in the 9 -10 grade levels who have personal experience with this school. I am aware that there has been no graduating class yet since this is a newer school.. My student is very high academically and is all ap classes in public school but I am seeking a smaller environment for her.

[loves2talk]

When will westlake academy have its first graduating class?