At first look, The Westview School resembles any other school and set of classrooms, with colorful alphabet posters adorning the walls, words from the day’s lesson written on the whiteboard and student-sized chairs and tables around the rooms.
Middle school students work in groups to design their model of the human eyeball out of a cardboard box and round ball, sharing with the class how it all works.
Things look pretty typical, but this is not an ordinary school. There are extraordinary things happening within these walls, where the head of school is Dr. Bevan Koch.
The private, non-profit school offers a unique curriculum for children on the autism spectrum from ages 2 through 8th grade. Westview’s main components are academics and social communication/social skills.
Autism affects one in every 54 children as of 2020 in the United States. Early detection and early intervention can help in treating the developmental condition. With the growth of the diagnosis, there is also an increasing need for service providers and schools for children with autism.
Westview opened in 1981 with three students with various developmental delays in a single classroom in the home of school founder Jane Stewart. Her vision was to educate students in a loving, caring environment. In 1996, the board of directors embarked on a capital campaign to build a new facility and expand the program.
On completion of the project, the school relocated to its current location at 1900 Kersten Drive in the Spring Branch Management District. The opening ceremony of the new building included a visit from former First Lady Barbara Bush. Total enrollment is now about 120 students.
The Westview School prioritizes a state-aligned curriculum that challenges students and can be modified to accommodate individual students’ learning styles. It offers studies in mathematics, language arts, social studies, technology and science. Also woven into Westview’s curriculum are music, art, drama, and physical education.
Bevan Koch
Sarah Chauvin, school director of communications and parent of a former student, explained, “My son attended Westview from 3 until he graduated from middle school last year, and his transition to high school has been great. He knows what he is capable of and recognizes his strengths. Westview supported him in those areas while he was still learning. He is now super confident in who he is, and more importantly, he likes who he is. We know he wouldn’t be who he is without Westview.”
Koch added, “Keeping the teacher-student ratio low (maximum is 8 to a class with a teacher and instructional assistant) allows us to work to support a child in the way they learn best; we can tailor our teaching style to meet the child’s need, whatever that needs to look like. We can stop and address the need in that moment.”
The Westview School is a family community that offers resources for not only the student but also the family support system. The parents’ group People of Westview is an active and crucial part of the school and assists in its mission.
Westview also provides an education series for parents and caregivers of children on the autism spectrum. They invite experts to visit as guest speakers at an event series that is open to the public. For a schedule, visit the school website.
For many families, navigating the process of finding a school to meet their child’s needs can be overwhelming.
“The admissions process includes intake, interviews, and a school visit. Through the process, if we discover Westview is not the right fit, we will make suggestions to the families of other potential schools within the Special Schools Coalition,” Koch said. “Our goal is to work together for what is best for the child. We are all about helping families get to the right spot for their student, so their full potential is met.”
The Westview School works to support itself not only through tuition fees but fundraising. Last school year, it provided over $600,000 in financial aid to students’ families.
Fundraising opportunities include an annual luncheon, the Westview Fund annual campaign and direct donations.
When she accepted the position three years ago, Koch said her goal was clear, and she can put it in eight words: “Be the best little school on the planet.” She may be well on her way to doing just that.
https://www.westviewschool.org/
— by Jessika Leal
