West Side Middle School

483 Chase Parkway

School District

Waterbury
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Waterbury School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by teacher on February 21, 2025

I've been teaching at West Side Middle School for over a decade and I've watched the school grow and develop over time. When I first came to the school it had been struggling for a while. However, I saw a staff that genuinely wanted to help the kids and were willing to grow, and parents that were willing to stick with us. That was my sign to stay and thank goodness I did. 10+ years later we are in a much better place. The building has been updated, the administration are all on the same page, and we have a lot more supports in place for kids and parents than before. The number of general behavior concerns has plummeted to near zero as a result, and we can actually focus on teaching/learning. As with any school, we're in need of more special education staff - but that hurt is being felt across the state and is not really the fault of the school. However, that's less of a problem where we are because we retain staff very well now - even the substitutes stick around. Most people I work with have been with the school 10 to 20+ years and plan to stay the course. Our scores in Math, ELA and Science are going up each year now. There's still room to grow, but it's clear things are going in the right direction. If you come here to learn, we'll make it happen. The extracurriculars are stellar also. I've seen the kids' artwork, performances, athletics, cooking, and tech work - it's insane how good they get at the stuff. There's this one huge intricate mural painted by one of our students that just blows my mind every time I walk by it. Kid's routinely come by with cookies and brownies they've made in FCS (Home Ec for us older people) to share. One of my favorite things I seeing the kids excitedly scoot down to Drama club at the end of the day, making movies and writing scripts. It's a sight to behold to be sure. :)
Submitted by parent on October 10, 2021

I was a student here at West Side and let me tell you, it was amazing. The teachers were all so helpful and caring, most of the teachers genuinely wanted to help you learn. The principal was welcoming every year, the security officers did a great job protecting the school, it was overall the best middle school experience in my opinion.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2015

Horrible experience. There's no communication between teachers to parents. The administrators are a joke. From gold house principle to guidance counselor. Our experience this year has just reiterated how the staff are there to just clock in and out. Not concerned with the well being of students nor to promote student growth. Trust me when I tell you, your studend/child will be behind the curve.
Submitted by other on March 11, 2015

I am a former student of West Side and this school is Dysfunctional the kids have serious issues. Don't send your kid to this school I wouldn't recommend it At all. The teachers don't enforce the rules as well as the Principals on top of that. Teachers do swear at students and students do too, I've seen Teachers put their hands on students and vice versa, there is always a cop at the school and they sometimes don't do their job either they talk just as bad to students also. I use to get picked on, stuff stolen from me and etc the teachers and principals did Nothing about it So, I wouldn't suggest ANY Parent to send their child to this school. I can Guarantee that if anyone sends their kid to this school chances are they're going to see a big change from their kid like acting out, attitude and etc. Not a good school that's the truth.
Submitted by other on June 08, 2014

This is not the best school but it is a working progress. At least it's not like state school we'll never mind that there will always be violence and fights and kids who don't listen so don't judge to bad.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2014

Two of my children currently attend this school one of them is in the accelerated program and the other is in the Special ED program. I have to say I am very pleased and impressed by the amount of communication and information I receive from the teachers and staff regarding my children just by simply requesting it. I am not saying all teachers are 5 stars but lets be realistic here most of the students barley give 3 star effort. in addition; some parents want to put the blame on the teachers, teachers are not miracle workers they can only work with what they have and if as a parent you are absent or not ready to hold your child accountable for his or her actions and choices while in school then that is the root of the problem that needs to be addressed first. Over all to present day I am very happy with the staff at WSMS and officer K's presence there.
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2013

Westside middle is a horrible school. It teaches through intemidation and the teachers swear at the students and tells them if they can swear we can to. I have witnessed the cop there run up into one of the girl students and start yelling at her.
Submitted by other on August 03, 2013

I have been going to West Side or WSMS for a few years now and its a deicent school. Yes, there are fights, and they don't have the best lunch but it isn't a horrible school , like some say. Whether you like it or not there are fights and violence EVERYWHERE. Just because one school get recognised for it more than others doesnt make it a bad school at all. Each house inforces dress code, some more than others. I give WSMS 3 stars because all-in-all it's not a bad school. Some students don't have very good grammar and have a hard time listening but dont blame the school, blame whoever taught them that that was okay to be disrespectful or have an attitude to teachers. West Side has an up-to-date curriculum and if your kids are focusing , they can learn alot. I hope this helped :).
Submitted by other on April 19, 2013

Hi. I would like to say that learn are good and bad things about this school. my daughter is in the red acclerated program! LOVE IT! But there are some students and staff that ruin it! i really dont like the red house vice principal. Although, everybody else seems cheerful. I recommed red house to everyone, every other friday they have reward day for the behavior cards. Anthoner plus to the school is they have a fruit and veggie program! ONly had one problem with the school,sometimes (most of the times) it has ants in there! but i tell her just to go to a different one if she has to go! I hope that this has helped you. BTW ur child will love the new gear up program. its free and helps your child with homework and problems. You also enter to get a scloarship to collage! ;) because collage is getting worse ,you know.
Submitted by other on April 13, 2013

This school has many faults, but overall it's a decent school. First of all, the school needs to be cleaner. The hallways and floors are repulsive. Next, some of the students lack hygiene and grammar, but, there are students who have the passion to succeed. Most of the teachers are very good at communicating with the students. The school has a wonderful fruit program for students that would like a morning snack.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2012

I have to say the I love West Side Middle School, I recently moved here form Manchester NH and my two boys were placed at this school, they are both in the Blue house and is doing so much better with there grades--in my experience with other schools "West Side Middle School" is wonderful --my kids are getting the attention they need --my oldest is much more excited about doing better and I believe it's the attitude of the Teachers --and I have and heard all wonderful things from my kids about the Blue house principal my kids adore her.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2012

Very unorganized, not helpful, not informative, Curriculum is so out of date. Cannot meet the educational needs of students who are more advanced. The advanced classes are below average of the Seymour and Shelton School districts. This is not a school you want to send your children to if you can avoid it. In all honesty I am very disappointed after moving here, if I had known the schools were so bad I would have never moved to this city. But of course it is a reflection of the city which is so far behind, I feel like I am in some southern town, even Seymour has bus service longer than Waterbury for public transporation just not a place for people who want more.
Submitted by other on August 10, 2011

I am an alumna of westside middle school and despite what some of the reviews say west side does enforce rules. You cant really judge the school because one student decided to go berzerk one day. That happens in all schools its the matter whether you hear about it or not. Or blame a single house in wsms's case. Some say " oh this and this house is bad blah blah blah" all houses have their faults. And for one specific review from a parent, dont just blame red house. Been there done that. I was in red house, not alot of fights and they do enforce dresscode and cellphones. In fact its because they're enforcing cellphones that they sometimes go berzerk and threaten teachers. Or like the review before me explains. And its all houses that are violent, not just red. Im not saying now, but when i attended wsms, the house that always broke dresscode and got away with it was blue house. So sure, im in te dark of whats happening now from what happened before, since my cousin was removed due to district changes, but i still believe its a great school. I miss it quite alot, i wish i had time to visit my old teachers.
Submitted by other on August 09, 2011

I am a student who recently attended wsms and the school inforces rules very well.Most of the student dont like the rules so they are defiant.But there are consequences and each principal especially red house makes sure that the students are well behave.Alot of these students go through so much at home and are bullied at school by other student that they bring their anger with them.Also when they see some teachers let its happen they get upset or one of the teachers or make rules a priority and punish them it triggers things.So what im trying to say is that every school has their problems with teachers students but Westside is alot better that Northend and Wallace.Point-Blank-Period.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2011

This school is crazy! A student threatended to cut a teacher. I transfered my kids out. Red house is the worst the teachers don`t enforce dress code or cellphones!
Submitted by other on March 22, 2011

Most teachers and staff are friendly if you get on their good side.Break the rules and you'll see their bad side.Very strict school which encourages kids to work hard and pay attention towards their education.
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2009

N/A
Submitted by student on November 06, 2008

N/A
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2008

N/A