“It's inspiring”: Students feel motivated to learn the West End School's beliefs
Okay. It's going well. West End School in Chickasaw District has grown from three students to a middle school over nearly 20 years. So this new year is going to bring some changes. Sam Carter is here with Moa and Sam from West End School. West End School is a middle school, but it seems like they have younger students. So how many grades do they have? Yes, they do. I have my little Savion here, and I have the whole Perkins family. Janaka and Savion, Dad, Savion Sr., actually, we have kindergarten through eighth grade, and sixth, seventh, and eighth graders boarding here. Savion, how old are you, Uncle? You're five, and you're one of the real treasures here. Mom, he's one of the younger students here, so I'd love to hear from you. How many people are in his class? And what's the value of that small class size? Right now, he has 18 in his class. We had 13 students in prekinder last year. That was one of the main reasons I wanted my son to go here. I wanted him to have a smaller class size, more individualized learning, because that's the environment he was used to. He went to a small daycare, so I wanted to continue that. And, Dad, I want to talk to you for a second, because you're raising a young man. You know what's up, buddy? Not the whole family. No, your sister. Sorry, I'm out. He has a sister. What's your sister's name? Savannah. Savannah, when you look at this later, I'm sorry. I left you out. Dad. You're raising a young man. You know how valuable the education and the messages that he's getting here as he matures as a young man are. And that's a good thing. Because actually, most kids don't get the proper education. That's what he's getting here at West End School for Boys. All right, buddy, let's go back to you. Let me turn it around for me. Let me show you to everybody at home. You, you're a personality in this place. Tell everybody what you want to be when you grow up. Mayor, he wants to be mayor. Yes. He wants to be mayor. And he's set up to be successful here. What do you love so much about West End School? I love West End School for the West End boys. I love it. Yes. He's one of the West End boys. And you go here to West End School, you know. Mom, isn't it amazing for you to see how much your son loves school and how much he loves being there? Yeah, because he was so nervous about going into kindergarten, because like I said, he's been going to the same nursery since he was about six weeks old. So he was very nervous, but he wasn't totally unprepared. And one weekend he said, “I really love it there.” And I said, “Yeah, I told you, it's not going to be that bad.” So it was. He's excited to go to school. School tires him out. I really love seeing him come home from school. I don't think it's possible to tire him out. He's been going 100 miles an hour since he got here. What's wrong, big man? What are you doing? Looking at the camera. Looking at him. The only thing he shouldn't do is look at Mills. And of course he's looking at Mills. Guys. That's Dave Mills, the photojournalist. Okay. I told you to say the line. The line. Welcome to West End. To close this out, say the line. One more time, bud. Welcome to West End School. That's right, buddy, we're welcoming them to the school. Guys, this is great. We're waiting. A year from now, the girls will be able to join in on the fun at West End School. Once we get the construction of the new school done. Guys, that's the new thing. It's been a great new school year. We're closing out in the right place. See you next year. Okay. Great. I'm going to see you guys tomorrow and tell him I'm waving at him. I wish him the best. Whether it's opening day or not. Even the first day is the best day of school. There's nothing not to love. The energy, the energy. We get it. We get it. And he said he wants to be Mayor Matt when he grows up.
“It's inspiring”: Students feel motivated to learn the West End School's beliefs
Classes are back in session at West End School in Chickasaw Township. Every morning, the entire school comes together to recite the creed. Meet the Hunters “We are intelligent, talented young people. We persevere through hardships. We show respect to everyone. We make a good impression wherever we go. Self-confidence leads to success. Our brotherhood requires integrity. We are the Soaring Eagles of West End School. To be a man means to be responsible.” This creed is one that eighth-grader Noah Hunter takes to heart. “It's motivation. It gets me going. And I think it's so important because it speaks to who we are as young people,” said Noah Hunter. Principal All students at West End School receive full scholarships, and students from grades six through eight attend the school. For people like Noah's father, Jonathan Hunter, the people surrounding his son give him confidence that he will succeed. “Everyone here is well-intentioned: parents, mentors, principal, Dr. Ross, teachers,” Corey Jr. and Sr. said. “They set a great example for our sons, teaching them that you don't have to go out and live this lifestyle, you can do this and be successful.” These seniors are natural leaders. West End School's mission is backed up by numbers. According to the school, 100 percent of the boys who complete the program graduate from high school. Next school year, West End School plans to complete construction and open a new girls' school. The Thomas Family
Classes have resumed at West End School in Chickasaw Township.
Every morning, the entire school gathers for an assembly where the entire student body recites the creed.
Meet the Hunters
“We are intelligent, talented young men. We persevere through hardships. We treat everyone with respect. We make a good impression wherever we go. Self-confidence leads to success. Our brotherhood demands integrity. We are the West End School Soaring Eagles. To be a man is to be responsible.”
This belief is one that eighth-grader Noah Hunter takes to heart.
“It's motivational, it's inspiring, and I think it's really important because it speaks to us as young people,” Noah Hunter said.
principal
All students at West End School are on full scholarships and students from years six to eight board at the school.
For people like Noah's father, Jonathan Hunter, the people surrounding their son give him confidence that he will succeed.
Corey Jr. and Sr.
“Everyone here is well-informed – the parents, the mentors, the principal, Mr. Ross, the teachers,” Jonathan Hunter said. “They're setting a great example for our boys and showing them that they don't have to go out and live this lifestyle, that they can do this and be successful.”
This third-grader is a born leader.
The numbers back up West End School's mission: The school says 100 percent of the boys who complete its program graduate from high school.
Next academic year, West End School is set to complete construction and open its new girls' school.
The Thomas Family