Westfield-Washington Schools Continues Growth and Academic Excellence
Writer / Renee Larr
Photography Provided
At the heart of any school system is the students, and that is certainly the case for Westfield-Washington Schools (WWS). The district serves over 9,000 students, and employs over 600 teachers and nearly 240 support staff. WWS currently has an A rating from the Indiana Department of Education, and Westfield High School was recently ranked in the top 3% of all high schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
“That A rating comes down to the hard work of our teachers, what parents do at home and the effort our kids put forward,” says Dr. Paul Kaiser, superintendent. “It’s a billboard for all the great things our community does together to make Westfield the best we can be.”
Enrollment steadily increased over the last 20 years, with an increase of 450 students this past year. Westfield is the fastest-growing city in the state, and one way WWS focuses on academic excellence while maintaining the small-town feel is through an initiative called Destination Westfield.
“With all the different activities that go on within this community, it’s important to residents to maintain the small-town feel,” Kaiser says. “It’s a comprehensive approach to get people involved. Everybody has a niche that enhances their life, whether it’s being a member of the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club or any other type of civic organization. All those things come together so that everyone here has that place they call home.”
The district is moving quickly to accommodate its exponential growth through various construction projects throughout the city. Carey Ridge Elementary is undergoing renovation while construction begins on a new, second middle school at State Road 32 and 
Centennial Road. In addition, in the next 12 to 18 months, WWS will break ground on a new, seventh elementary school at 171st Street and Towne Road.
“If anyone has great suggestions on what we should call the new elementary school, we want to hear them,” Kaiser says. “We love to engage with the community.”
Parents are encouraged to apply to be part of the Shamrock Academy. Selected parents participate for one morning monthly to engage in conversations with WWS leadership. They’re also given a firsthand look at the workings of a highly successful, growing school district.
Kaiser knows school safety is of the utmost importance to parents. He says they continue to work on renovations to enhance the safety level of each building in the district. He says part of the long-term plan is to bring on additional school resource officers at each school.
“I want to make sure everyone understands we’re not doing this because our buildings are unsafe,” Kaiser says. “We want additional school resource officers to serve as counselors or role models for our kids. It’s an extra person the kids can speak with about things that are important to them.”
Kaiser says it’s vital to maintain the district’s growth while keeping tax rates as low as possible. He says Westfield is a destination city in Indiana and the Midwest.
For more information, visit wws.k12.in.us.
