A safe, trusted and predictable school environment is vital in order for students to learn and achieve high academic standards. At Westbridge Academy, we know that a school free from bullying, intimidation and harassment begins with a positive school culture.

School culture is affected by many factors: academic instruction, classroom, and schoolwide behavior management, and parental involvement. It is reflected in relationships between and among teachers, school administrators, support staff, students, and parents. Like all New Jersey schools, Westbridge Academy has adopted policies and procedures to address bullying, intimidation and harassment. But it is not simply a matter of addressing HIB when it happens. It is the goal to make sure it does not happen at all.

“Here, we actively teach kindness. It is part of our school culture. Our anti-bullying efforts are not in a silo, but rather, are deeply embedded in our school values and in everything we do,” said School Psychologist and HIB Coordinator, Carrie-Ann Feakes.

“By actively teaching students these values across the curriculum, students learn to trust the school, the teachers, and each other to do the right thing. They learn to feel safe, valued and supported and are ready to learn.”

Westbridge Core Values

Our values were carefully developed over the school’s 46-year history, not in response to public policy or mandates, but in response to the needs of our students.

  1. Self-Sufficiency – Every child can learn and progress if given the right support. We help kids address their challenges, so they become “ready to learn.”
  2. Self-Worth – Every child deserves to find their niche in society. No child is written off as unworthy of learning or growing. We persist when others give up.
  3. Caring – It’s at the core of all we do. The staff cares about the well-being of the students and puts students’ needs first.
  4. Supportive Environment – When students have a supportive environment, they are more likely to succeed. We make sure each child feels supported by everyone associated with our school.
  5. Collaboration – Communication and partnership with the family are integral to a child’s success. The thoroughness of our students’ plans, documentation, and communication is legendary.