The WHPS Advantage
Preschool Through Fifth Grade
Preserving the Wonders of Childhood
At WHPS, we're dedicated to cherishing the wonders of childhood, creating a close-knit community where children thrive without the pressure of growing up too fast. Because our program spans from early childhood through early adolescence, we have a long, continuous relationship with our students, with time to focus on their well-being and social-emotional development that ultimately leads to a love of learning and greater academic success. The continuity of the preschool through fifth-grade curricular arc provides a comprehensive and intentional learning experience that harnesses the full potential of children’s critical brain development period.
The Power of Developmental & Whole-Brain Education
Curriculum is as much about how we teach as it is about what we teach. Beyond just focusing on content and concepts, our curriculum emphasizes teaching children to continually ask and investigate questions, set meaningful goals, and learn to be self-reflective and self-aware. Research underscores the strong connection between these skills and becoming a lifelong learner. These kinds of skills take time to nurture, and our program seamlessly integrates them into your child's education. This innovative and dynamic approach is made possible by our use of a Developmental Learning Progression, which provides a roadmap for continuous growth (vs. all learning coming from a textbook), and our co-teaching model with two fully qualified teachers in the classroom to make this level of personal attention possible.
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Balance
Our developmental and individualized curriculum empowers teachers to maximize the precious time they spend with students, eliminating wasted time on busywork with repetitive worksheets. Teachers also help students make meaningful choices about their learning and work, which boosts interest, motivation, and achievement while avoiding the undue pressure of monotonous assignments. Our balanced approach provides many opportunities for advanced learning through a process that is fun and rewarding for students.
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Down to Earth Community
We're committed to accessibility, enabling families who may not have imagined private education to have access to a high-quality learning environment. Parents also appreciate the grounded community experience from many like-minded families sharing the same educational values.
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Leadership & Empowerment
Our oldest students develop a sense of responsibility as role models and school leaders. They embody a love of learning, growth mindset, inclusiveness, assertiveness, and sense of self seldom seen in adolescents. Younger students benefit from strong relationships and positive interactions with older students that can help ease their transition between divisions. By the time students reach upper elementary grades, they excel as leaders, organizing school-wide programs, participating in sports teams, and guiding younger peers. The privileges and responsibilities they enjoy in fourth and fifth grades set the stage for a lifetime of leadership and empowerment.
WHPS cultivates students who stand out, and our middle school partners consistently affirm this. Our alums are academically and socially well-rounded, passionate learners who actively advocate for themselves and others. Success isn't just about acceptance rates; it's about nurturing potential and guiding families to college-preparatory middle schools that celebrate the child’s uniqueness. We are pleased that over 90% of students are accepted into their first-choice middle school and over 97% to first or second-choice schools. In recent years, many students have also received merit scholarships that help to offset the cost of continuing private education.
Graduate Placement
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Embracing Change with Confidence
Research supports providing children with a consistent and nurturing educational environment through their elementary school years. However, as they approach adolescence, a change in sixth grade proves to be highly beneficial. At this age, friendships become more about burgeoning common interests, and embracing new friendships and challenges before entering high school allows our students to explore their interests and passions, fostering personal growth and independence.
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A Voice in Their Future
At WHPS, your child's voice matters. Throughout the program, we empower students to actively shape their educational journey. Our dedicated team collaborates closely with each child and family to find the right middle school match. Because we emphasize self-reflection and personal development, our fifth graders possess unparalleled self-awareness, making the middle school selection process smoother. We conduct mock interviews further to prepare students for their part in middle school admissions.
We are honored when families choose WHPS, and we are unwaveringly committed not only to each child’s education but also to their future as happy and successful human beings.
Parent, Student & Staff Feedback
During the most recent accreditation renewal, the Accreditation Committee gathered feedback from students, parents, and staff affirming the school’s values. Read more about the experience of current and alumni families.
Jenni Helj
Accreditation Committee Chair
“The visiting committee commends WHPS on the strength of their community and sense of self-identity. Moreover, they foster the social-emotional development of students through various programs, including Responsive Classroom, and have developed a student body that knows how to advocate for others and their own personal learning and social-emotional needs.”
“The visiting committee interviewed students who genuinely articulated respect for others with differences. They also clearly stated that they felt school was a place where they could be themselves and feel safe.”
“The school prepares children for success in matriculation to middle school. Alumni parents affirmed they felt students were prepared and flourished at the next level. “