About Our School

West Point Elementary School (WPES) has a tradition of excellence. Nestled among historic buildings on the grounds of the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York, West Point Elementary School stands as a testament of educational excellence. Serving the children of service members and civilians residing on the post, WPES boasts a unique environment where academic motivation thrives.  

Students benefit from 21st-century teaching practices, in a new state-of-the-art building, which opened in January 2020. The school incorporates a flexible learning space that supports student collaboration with expandable walls and flexible seating areas throughout the building. Students view STEAM principles in action with its viewable internal building mechanics. The awareness of the area’s natural and beautiful surroundings can be seen throughout the building.  Students conducted research of indigenous animals in the Hudson River Valley area to choose animal mascots for each grade level. They selected Snow Owl, Black Bear, Turtle, Raccoon, and Deer for neighborhood learning environments. By empowering student voice and choice, WPES aims to instill school pride and to nurture confident, self-learners.  

Students are actively engaged every morning while watching the student-lead Morning News broadcast which is aired daily on YouTube. Classrooms/neighborhoods unite in the tradition of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, singing the Bulldog March (Our school Alma Mater), DoDEA Mission and school motto. School pride and a common vision is evident as you walk through the neighborhoods and observe students during the Morning News. This broadcast is created by fifth grade students that participate in the Morning News Broadcasting Club. The students utilize library databases, WeVideo, and the school broadcasting room to research, write and create the content that is aired.   

The committed faculty ensures a professional community focused on student success. Their unwavering commitment to military-connected children is the cornerstone of WPES’s excellence. Positive examples of collegiality and student work are showcased through images and displayed artifacts. These display panels connect the school community as stakeholders walk through the hallways. In addition, WPES strives to share and communicate with community stakeholders in a variety of ways including our monthly newsletter the “Bulldog Blast,” school website, and Facebook page. 

WPES prioritizes individualized support. The administrative team closely monitors student progress, addressing performance concerns promptly. Partnerships with USMA, parents, and the community create a collaborative approach to education. Guest teachers use innovative techniques, including simulations, to build problem-solving skills. “Meet and Greet” sessions are held in the summer for incoming students and families. This network cultivates character, traditions, and camaraderie. Our students emerge not as isolated scholars, but as members of a global family—a lineage that stretches across time and space. They inherit the legacy of those who came before, and in turn, they pass the torch to those who follow.  

A unique and dedicated group of educators describes WPES. These professionals joined our team from other schools within DoDEA and schools outside of DoDEA. Our staff consists of local New Yorkers, members from different states, and those who transferred from overseas. This group unites to provide a global perspective to our school community that allows us to have fresh ideas and a schoolwide mindset. Our staff includes DoDEA civilians, military spouses, veterans, and former military dependents, including previous DoDEA students.   

WPES hosts a model specialist program that includes visual arts, music, technology, physical education, health, and library. These programs are tailored to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. These educators not only directly support the learning standards for their curricular area, but they are committed to integrated instruction of the content areas, as well as the instructional coaching of their specialized content area to their general education peers. They collaborate directly with classroom teachers on the power standards to integrate into their program learning standards. These specialists are an invaluable part of our school staff and bring a level of expertise that is unmatched. They work collaboratively with all stakeholders, within the West Point community.   

WPES’s commitment to academic excellence earned it the prestigious Blue-Ribbon award in 2017 and in 2024. Families recognize the caliber of education offered, often choosing to reside on post to access this exceptional learning environment. Along with an exceptional learning environment, students have access to various community event opportunities.  A cherished tradition is the football season, especially the Army-Navy game. Army West Point Football invite students to attend the Army Football Spirit luncheons during home games.  

In summary, WPES embodies the DoDEA mission: to educate, engage, and empower military-connected students to succeed in a dynamic world. Its legacy as one of the oldest continually run school systems in DoDEA reflects a tradition of excellence that continues to thrive. 

School Rules

• Try your best.
• Be caring and respectful.
• Be responsible.

Levels of Responsibility

1. I am doing my work and helping others.
2. I am doing my work with reminders from the teacher.
3. I am trying but still need help or reminders to do my work.
4. I am hurting or bothering someone. I am not doing my work.

Core Beliefs

Work Ethic: We will strive to provide innovative challenging leadership to foster the realization of high goals for our learning community.

Healthy and Physically Active: We strive to promote an environment conducive to physical and mental wellness.

Relationships: We will maintain and continue to develop personal and professional relationships fostered by respect, tolerance, empathy, and patience leading to a positive school climate of cooperation and growth.

Communities: We will engage in open exchanges that will include listening and understanding for individual ideas.