West Portal School's mission is to empower our students with academic knowledge and healthy social, emotional skills so that they will reach their highest potentials and become responsible members of our democratic society as well as citizens of the world. We believe that all students can learn and succeed, and we cooperate with all the community to provide our students with the best support, and to strive for the highest standards of teaching and learning.
Our strengths, accomplishments, programs, and unique features distinguish it from any other school and promote its success as an exemplary learning institution. Our academic program has two main strands:
1. General Education strand is well known for its model classrooms in developmentally appropriate practices and students' high achievements.
2. Two-Way Chinese Immersion strand (since 1984) provides excellent academic and cultural education in two languages: English and Chinese (Cantonese).
As a model school for inclusive education, we were recognized by the "Exceptional Parent Magazine", a national publication, as a "Model of Excellence in Education for 2000".
Our students' education is greatly enhanced by the involvements of their parents and guardians. The West Portal Parents Club plays a vital role in the school. Parent volunteers assist in the classrooms, go on field trips, work in the library, plan class festivities, share in decision-making, support the instructional program, and serve as curriculum resources. They started our lunch time Game Room and Knitting Club, Science Nights with the Exploratorium at West Portal, annual participation in the Chinese New Year's Parade, after school programs such as Brush Painting and Tortilla Making, to name just a few. Their fund raising program entirely funds the Physical Education, music, and library programs. Parents and guardians are our most valuable resources.
Thank you for your interest in our school!