Westshire Elementary School

The K-5 Westshire Elementary School serves approximately 75 students from the towns of West Fairlee and Vershire, and houses an additional 18 preschoolers from the entire district.

Westshire serves the western portion of the Rivendell Interstate School District. Located on Route 113 in the village of West Fairlee, the school sits on 17 beautiful acres that include athletic fields, a playground, and a flowing stream. Once inside the school, it is difficult to imagine a more attractive schoolhouse. Our classrooms are large, light-filled well-appointed spaces conducive to learning.

Westshire has a rigorous and relevant K-5 continuum of academic study using a standards-based curriculum, with a major emphasis on early literacy. Math and numeracy are of equal importance. Our goal for students is to develop a deep sense of numbers, computational dexterity, and problem solving skills. We also want them to be able to apply what they learn and make connections to daily life and future goals. Children in each grade participate in an exciting array of inquiry-based, project-oriented social studies and science units. We have an ongoing partnership with the Montshire Museum of Science and incorporate their expertise and resources in our units of study.

The most compelling aspect of Westshire is the relationships we have with our students. Each student is known not just by their immediate classroom teacher, but by all the faculty and students. Respect and acceptance are emphasized in all we do within the school, and as a result the school feels healthy and safe. We come together as a learning community regularly to celebrate one another’s accomplishments by showcasing individual work, as well as class projects. Classes take turns hosting these community meetings. It is this spirit of caring and community that make Westshire a special school that is valued by the entire community.