At WCS, we strive to prepare students to make a meaningful impact on the world. This year’s senior class is no exception, and we’re excited to spotlight our incredible seniors each week, starting with Vicky Nguyen, Jaden Walker, and Bella Chauvin.
This is Vicky’s first year attending WCS. Math is her favorite subject because it enriches her logical thinking. She enjoys participating in the band and has discovered a hidden talent for playing bells. Mr. Echols is Vicky’s favorite teacher, and she loves his passion for teaching. “He is very kind and helpful. I used to see his problems on the right hand, and it would remind me to try my best in life.”
Among Vicky’s favorite WCS memories is International Camp Day, when she enjoyed chatting with new friends and teachers. Other special memories include holding hands during prayer before lunch each day and a funny friend singing during class
After graduation, Vicky is excited to continue her studies in college. She is grateful for her mom’s encouragement: “She always encourages me when I want to give up and helps me figure out my value.” Vicky plans to stay in touch with her WCS friends after graduation by getting together on the weekends for coffee or bowling.
Meet Jaden Walker
Jaden joined our school community in sixth grade. For him, WCS “feels like home.” He plays football, soccer, and track, and through sports, he has become stronger and faster. Biology is Jaden’s favorite subject because it interests him the most, and he has worked hard to improve his grades. He will never forget Ms. Banks for her encouragement and helping him through this year.
When he reflects on his time at WCS, Jaden’s favorite memory is scoring the game-winning touchdown in his 11th-grade homecoming game. It was his first touchdown in a high school game.
Jaden is planning to attend college after graduation. He hopes his classmates will remember him as kind to everyone and looks forward to reconnecting with them at some Wildcat games next year.
Last But Not Least, Meet Bella Chauvin
A WCS Wildcat since the sixth grade, Bella felt welcome here “from the first hellos.” Although she enjoys every subject, Bella discovered her passion for science with the help of Ms. Lesson. Her favorite WCS memory is helping with the Luna Festival.
Bella experienced growth in her faith during her time at WCS, especially through the mission trip to San Antonio. What advice would you give younger students about maintaining and growing their faith? “Take advantage of every opportunity (even if you don’t think you’ll like it) and know God is with you.”
If Bella could relive one day from her time at WCS, it would be the December Christmas party. After graduation, Bella plans to attend college.
Are you looking for a high school program that inspires the next generation to realize their dreams? We’d love to share more information about the incredible opportunities available to WCS high school students. Visit our high school page to learn more about the WCS experience.
As we enter the second half of the school year, our high school students face exciting changes and milestones. This period marks a pivotal time in their academic journey, filled with new opportunities, challenges, and important decisions.
Seniors: The Excitement of College Acceptances and Decisions For our senior class, the beginning of the new year is filled with excitement and anticipation. Many have received college acceptance letters from top universities, a massive achievement and a testament to their hard work and determination. The next few months will be significant as they weigh their options and decide where to continue their education.
We encourage our seniors to pray about their decisions, visit college campuses a second (or third) time, and speak with current students about their experiences when making this life-changing decision.
Juniors: Preparing for College Testing and Applications While seniors are wrapping up college applications and decisions, our juniors are entering full college preparation mode. WCS counselors work closely with juniors, helping them with test prep and planning for the college application season. While it may seem like a lot to think about as a junior, starting early is important—researching colleges, exploring potential career paths, and developing a strong academic profile. This proactive approach can help reduce the stress that often accompanies the application process in senior year. Counseling services provided include college fairs hosted on campus, college essay writing workshops, FASFA/ Scholarship Workshops, freshman symposiums, on-campus PSAT and ACT, college signing day, and more.
More Than Just Academics: Discovering Purpose and Impact With 18 AP classes and the opportunity for dual enrollment courses, our students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management skills that will serve them well in college and beyond. But that’s not the only accomplishment that sets WCS graduates apart.
At the heart of our high school experience is a deep commitment to helping students discover their God-given purpose. We work diligently to equip young people with the knowledge and wisdom to positively impact the world. Our teachers and staff strive to help students discover their unique gifts and identify future career possibilities that align with their faith and values.
Share Your Experience: Invite a Friend to Preview Day If someone you know is searching for a Christ-centered high school experience with excellent academics and a supportive community, please invite them to attend our upcoming Preview Day on January 26, 2025. It’s the perfect opportunity to get a firsthand look at our amazing campus, vibrant community, and academic offerings. Online registration for Preview Day is now open.
Please share the following video for a glimpse into daily life at Westbury Christian, where academic excellence meets character growth and purpose in a Christ-centered environment.
Westbury Christian School Social Studies Department Head Mrs. Courtney Hatfield created a real-world simulation for her students in her senior Economics class. The students found themselves in a captivating simulation designed to explore scarcity, decision-making, productive resources, technological benefits, and the power of trade.
The class was divided into three groups to represent three fictitious countries. Each group had to select a name and a leader for their country. The leader received their country’s unique resource endowments to meet the needs of their citizens. But a problem awaited them – they quickly learned they didn’t have enough resources in their own country to make what their citizens needed.
“This forced the students to either get creative to figure out how to balance the scarcity of their resources with the wants and needs of their citizens, or learn how to trade with other nations to get what they needed,” says Mrs. Hatfield.
The scarce resources simulation demonstrated the importance of trade with other nations and for students to learn the art of diplomacy. They answered the three most important questions in economics: What do we produce? How do we produce? For whom do we produce?
After the simulation, students debriefed through a guided discussion to dive deeper into economic concepts. A few of the topics they discussed include:
How did each country solve the problem of not having all the resources it needed to satisfy the needs and wants of its residents?
Did the countries with capital goods have advantages in quality and quantity of production in comparison with countries lacking capital goods?
How do diplomatic relationships between countries affect trade? Give some real-world examples.
Mrs. Hatfield’s students gained valuable insights into the complex and interconnected world of economics and international relations.
Recognized for Improving Gender Representation in AP Computer Science Principles
HOUSTON, TX─ Westbury Christian School has earned the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles. Schools honored with the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have expanded girls’ access in AP computer science courses.
More than 1,100 institutions achieved either 50% or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses or a percentage of the female computer science exam takers meeting or exceeding that of the school’s female population during the 2022-23 school year. In 2023, Westbury Christian School was one of 834 recognized in the category of AP Computer Science Principles (CSP).
“We’re thrilled to congratulate our female AP computer science students and Mrs. Leeson on this step toward gender parity in computer science education,” said High School Principal Kaitlyn Ballard. “We’re honored that our school earned this distinction and look forward to seeing these young women and others pursue and achieve success in computer science education and careers.”
“I am so excited to generate interest for young women in high school to explore more STEM classes and fields, especially computer science,” says WCS STEM Director, Colleen Leeson. “The digital world is foundational to how we interact with each other and to bring new ideas to life in our current society. Until the approach of the AP Computer Science Principles class, many young women could not see themselves in the roles of coding, processing, and transforming data into new applications and insights. These are skills that we are all capable of leveraging. This class has encouraged many of my female students to pursue computer science and data science fields in post-secondary studies. I am proud to see each of them continue the journey of learning and impacting our world with STEM skills.”
“Computer science is the source code of our economy and much of the career landscape,” said Trevor Packer, Head of the AP Program. “In the six years since we began the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award, it’s been heartening to see schools like Westbury Christian School welcome so many more young women into this vital field.”
The first year of AP Computer Science Principles in 2016-17 attracted more students than any other AP course debut, and participation is on the rise. In 2023, 164,505 students took the AP CSP Exam—more than triple the number of exam takers in the course’s first year. In 2023, 55,572 women took the AP CSP Exam, more than four times the number who tested in 2017.
Providing female students with access to computer science courses is critical to ensuring gender parity in the industry’s high-paying jobs and to driving innovation, creativity, and representation. The median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was $100,530 in May 2022. However, women represent just 24% of the five million people in computing occupations.
That’s why College Board research about AP CSP is so encouraging. According to the data, female students who take AP CSP in high school are more than five times as likely to major in computer science in college, compared to female students of similar background and academic preparation who did not take CSP. The study also finds AP CSP students are nearly twice as likely to enroll in AP CSA, and that for most students, AP CSP serves as a stepping stone to other advanced AP STEM coursework.
These findings highlight the importance of schools nationwide achieving gender parity in AP computer science classrooms. Overall, female students remain underrepresented in our high school computer science classes, accounting for just 34% of AP Computer Science Principles participants and 26% of AP Computer Science A participants. Currently, 57.5% of the nation’s high schools teach foundational computer science. The 1,127 schools that receive this year’s AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award serve as inspirations and models for all U.S. high schools.
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About Westbury Christian School
Westbury Christian School is a Christ-centered college preparatory school for students from age 3 to 12th grade. A vibrant community of learners, WCS reflects the Kingdom: Faithful, Wise, and Diverse. Since 1975, we have provided our students with a safe and diverse environment with challenging academics taught from a Biblical worldview and personalized instruction. WCS strives to support families in Christian education and cultivate relationships that build a strong sense of belonging within our community. Students are encouraged to find their God-given talents by participating in our student-led clubs, athletics, and fine arts programs. WCS develops students to become Christian servants, compassionate leaders, and lifelong learners who are prepared for here and eternity.
Entourage Yearbooks announced their 14th Annual National Yearbook Competition awards, recognizing Westbury Christian School with four different design awards for the 2023 Entourage Yearbook.
1st Place High School Page Design – Madison Shorter ’23
1st Place Elementary School Photo – “Breathe In and Sing” – Sophia Gonzalez ’23
3rd Place High School Cover Design – All Yearbook Staff: Sophia Gonzalez ’23, Madison Shorter ’23, Nathan Marable ’23, Wolfgang Klepfer ’23, Troy Page ’24, & Harmony James ’25.
“Last year, the yearbook staff really impressed me with how hard they worked to make everything look the best it could be. I’m so proud of the initiative that the yearbook editors, Sophia G. and Madison S. now alumni, took to finalize designs and add their own flair into every page,” says WCS Yearbook Teacher, Aryn Ward
“There was a learning curve to getting the book rolling, but each yearbook staff member took the time to write out descriptions of our yearbook contest entries to the national Entourage Yearbooks Contest. Co-Yearbook Editor in Chief, Madison Shorter, actually did the final submission herself, a nerve wracking process for a 200+ page book!,” shares Ward. “Overall, I’m glad that the yearbook students learned so much through publishing last year’s VHS or Old TV themed yearbook. My favorite part of the design was that the spine of the book looks like a VHS tape when placed on a bookshelf.”
More about Entourage’s National Yearbook Competition From Entourage: The Annual Entourage National Yearbook Competition recognizes schools with yearbooks created by students and school volunteers. To participate, schools submit their yearbook content into categories for overall yearbook, page design, photography, and cover design. With hundreds of entries, the 2023 Entourage Yearbooks National Yearbook competition proved to be competitive and highlighted yearbook design excellence.
Judging of the contest entries consisted of creativity, originality, and journalistic relevance. Schools were evaluated separately at the Elementary, Middle, and High School levels. The judging committee included Entourage’s expert yearbook journalists and invited yearbook experts across the industry.
About Entourage Yearbooks: Founded in 2006, Entourage Yearbooks provides yearbooks to over 6,000 schools across the US and in 18 countries worldwide. For more information about Entourage Yearbooks, visit http://www.entourageyearbooks.com
3rd Place High School Cover Design – All Yearbook Staff: Sophia Gonzalez ’23, Madison Shorter ’23, Nathan Marable ’23, Wolfgang Klepfer ’23, Troy Page ’24, & Harmony James ’25.
1st Place Elementary School Photo – “Breathe In and Sing” – Sophia Gonzalez ’23
1st Place High School Page Design – Madison Shorter ’23
Westbury Christian School is recognized for student success in the Advanced Placement program while broadening access.
[HOUSTON, TEXAS] – The College Board announced that Westbury Christian School has been named to the Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) School Honor Roll, earning Platinum distinction.
The AP® School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.
At Westbury Christian School, 97% of seniors took at least one AP exam during high school, 63% of seniors scored a three or higher on at least one AP exam, and 22% of seniors took five or more AP exams! The AP program at Westbury Christian School offers 18 AP classes led by 10 instructors across the social studies, history, art, and science departments.
“For over 20 years, the David M. Lacey AP Program at Westbury Christian School has inspired, challenged, and prepared students for college-level thinking, writing, and work. Our students have had tremendous success on the AP exams, but more importantly, they are well-equipped for college,” said Nathan Wagner, Head of School. “We’re honored by this recognition as it reflects the hard work and diligence of student scholars and teachers.”
“AP represents an opportunity for students to stand out to colleges, earn college credit and placement, and potentially boost their grade point averages,” said Trevor Packer, head of the AP program. “The schools have shown that they can expand access to these college-level courses and still drive high performance – they represent the best of our AP program.”
Westbury Christian School is a Christ-centered college preparatory school for students from age 3 to 12th grade. A vibrant community of learners, WCS reflects the Kingdom: Faithful, Wise, and Diverse. Since 1975, we have provided our students with a safe and diverse environment with challenging academics taught from a Biblical worldview and personalized instruction. WCS strives to support families in Christian education and cultivate relationships that build a strong sense of belonging within our community. Students are encouraged to find their God-given talents by participating in our student-led clubs, athletics, and fine arts programs. WCS develops students to become Christian servants, compassionate leaders, and lifelong learners who are prepared for here and eternity.
College Board’s Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) enables students to pursue college-level studies—with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both—while still in high school. Through AP courses in 38 subjects, each culminating in a challenging exam, students learn to think critically, construct solid arguments, and see many sides of an issue—skills that prepare them for college and beyond.
Awards recognize high-performing students and help them stand out to colleges
[Houston, Texas] – Students at Westbury Christian School earned academic honors from theCollege Board National Recognition Programs. These programs celebrate students’ hard work in high school and showcase their strong academic performance. The academic honors for rural area, Black, Indigenous, and/or Latino students are an opportunity for students to share their strong academic achievements with colleges and scholarship programs that are seeking to recruit diverse talent.
At Westbury Christian School, 3 students received the academic honor.
Eden Williams: National African American Recognition Award (NAARA)
Luke Dewberry: National Hispanic Recognition Award (NHRA)
Vince Bilnoski: National Hispanic Recognition Award (NHRA)
“We’re thrilled to celebrate three of our WCS students and recognize them for the great work they’ve been doing in the classroom and the College Board assessments like the PSAT/NMSQT®, PSAT™ 10, and AP® exams,” said High School Principal Kaitlyn Ballard. “There’s so much that makes each of our students unique, and I am proud they are recognized for their strong academic performance!”
The criteria for eligible students include:
GPA of 3.5 or higher.
PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 assessment scores that are within the top 10% of assessment takers in each state for each award program or earned a score of 3 or higher on 2 or more AP Exams in 9th and 10th grade.
Attend school in a rural area or small town, or identify as African American/Black, Hispanic American/Latino, or Indigenous/Native.
Eligible students are invited to apply onBigFuture during their sophomore or junior year and are awarded at the start of the next school year in time to share their achievements in high school as they plan for the future. At the same time, colleges and organizations using College Board’sStudent Search Service™ can connect directly with awardees during the recruitment process.
“It’s becoming increasingly hard for students to be ‘seen’ during the college recruitment process. We’re exceptionally proud of the National Recognition Programs for celebrating students who are at times overlooked but have shown their outstanding academic abilities,” said Tarlin Ray, senior vice president of BigFuture® at College Board. “This is a benefit not only for students but also for colleges and universities committed to recruiting diverse and talented students.”
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About Westbury Christian School
Westbury Christian School is a Christ-centered college preparatory school for students from age 3 to 12th grade. A vibrant community of learners, WCS reflects the Kingdom: Faithful, Wise, and Diverse. Since 1975, we have provided our students with a safe and diverse environment with challenging academics taught from a Biblical worldview and personalized instruction. WCS strives to support families in Christian education and cultivate relationships that build a strong sense of belonging within our community. Students are encouraged to find their God-given talents by participating in our student-led clubs, athletics, and fine arts programs. WCS develops students to become Christian servants, compassionate leaders, and lifelong learners who are prepared for here and eternity.
This past summer Oluwaseyi Adodo, a current Junior, attended the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) State Leadership Seminarhosted at the University of Houston.
The HOBY State Leadership Seminars allow students to explore their personal leadership skills and values and practice those skills while collaborating with peers from different schools. Students apply these principles and service leadership to make a positive impact in their communities. The program also gives students a glimpse of college life by staying in residential dorms and attending the leadership conference in college classrooms.
To qualify for attendance, students must be high school sophomores and submit an essay about important characteristics of a good leader. Finalists from the essay-round were chosen to advance to the interview process.
Adodo found inspiration in the program’s curriculum and the words of the guest speaker.
“Most people there were afraid to lead and usually were in leadership positions because no one else would lead,” reflected Adodo. “When we were in a place full of leaders, we all had something to contribute and bring to the table. You shouldn’t be afraid to speak up.”
Additionally, Adodo mentioned that learning about her personal leadership and personality styles was impactful.
At Westbury Christian School, Adodo actively participates in a multitude of activities, including HOSA, ASL, NHS, Student Ambassador Program, Golf, and Band. We look forward to her impact on our school programs with her leadership skills.
To learn more about the HOBY State Leadership Conference, visit HOBY.org
