Semper

This is our final year here at Weber. Kinda of sad to leave this little gem behind. This will be my 12th years there between two kids. Great teachers - really great- little turnover. Small class sizes, well run by admin, a walkable and mall community of neighborhood kids- not bussed on kids. They are a performance school that offers a great musical instrument program. Overall very happy experience at Weber.

Summary: Great PTA that fundraises to add additional financial support to the school Twice-exceptional students who need social-emotional support and to be challenged academically IB School that focuses on more than just academics but also critical thinking and other IB attributesMy oldest started preschool at Semper in 2017; my youngest is finishing up 2nd grade. I am so grateful that we have 3 more years at this school. The staff works hard to create a welcoming, supportive, and student-focused community. The PTA is a great place to be involved. There's an effective partnership between teachers, administration, and parents working together to put the students first. This year they have exceeded their fundraising expectations which will allow valuable financial support for the school during these awful budget cuts. My kids are twice-exceptional and Semper has done an excellent job recognizing their strengths and their unique learning needs. The staff has worked hard to help them feel understood, challenged, and emotionally supported. We have been especially impressed with the school’s social-emotional learning (SEL) staff who have helped build confidence, self-awareness, and resilience in them as well as celebrating their academic achievements. Semper is an International Baccalaureate (IB) school. This means they encourage curiosity, critical thinking, global-mindedness, and meaningful inquiry-based learning. This helps students not only grow academically but also develop compassion, independence, and a love of learning.I truly can’t say enough good things about this school. I admire the newer administration who has brought a fresh perspective to the school and has made a meaningful difference for my family.

The heart of Woodrow Wilson Academy is undoubtedly its wonderful community. From the dedicated staff to the involved families, there is a genuine sense of belonging and mutual support that makes it feel like a true partnership in raising our children. It is rare to find a school where the social fabric is this strong and welcoming.However, there are a few areas where the experience becomes more challenging:• Homework Volume: There is an abundance of homework that often feels disproportionate depending upon the grade level. While academic rigor is appreciated, the sheer volume can be overwhelming for families trying to maintain a healthy after-school balance.• Math Program Hurdles: Navigating the Eureka math curriculum continues to be particularly difficult for all involved. The program is quite demanding with ‘new age’ techniques and the program often requires a significant amount of parental involvement to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and the complex assignments sent home. It can feel like a steep climb for students who aren't naturally intuitive with the specific methodology used.• Discipline Support: There appears to be a lack of consistent discipline support. Without a more structured or transparent system for managing behavioral issues, it can feel like parents and students are left to navigate difficult situations without enough administrative backing.Overall, it is a school with a fantastic soul and great people, but it would benefit greatly from more streamlined academic expectations and a more robust approach to behavioral support.