March 26, 2025
Westview’s Annual Fundraising Luncheon Celebrates Community and Impact
The Westview School hosted its annual Fundraising Luncheon on Wednesday, March 26, 2025,, at the Junior League of Houston, bringing together families, friends, and supporters for a heartfelt celebration of the school’s mission and impact. This year’s event, themed Writing Our Next Chapter, highlighted the transformative power of a Westview education through moving testimonials, inspiring speeches, and a special student performance.
The program opened with a powerful video featuring parents and staff narrating the profound difference Westview has made in the lives of its students. Westview Middle School students then took the stage to share personal stories of growth and achievement, culminating in a musical performance led by Nelson Armstrong, Westview Music Teacher.
A highlight of the event was a speech given by Jackson McGinnis, a former Westview student now excelling in the Texas A&M PATHS program. His journey and heartfelt words deeply resonated with the audience, earning him a standing ovation.
"My parents tell me that I’m a success story," McGinnis shared. "Westview helped change my direction and altered my path. It’s a very special school. Someone once said, ‘Every accomplishment starts with a decision to try.’ I’m so thankful my parents decided to ‘try' The Westview School. I hope today you all can 'try' to help Westview continue its success story."
Current Westview parents Kelly and Robbie Frost also delivered an emotional speech, sharing their son Willie’s experience and the transformative role Westview has played in shaping his future.
"Westview isn’t just a school – it’s a refuge," Kelly Frost expressed. "A place where children aren’t labeled or left behind but lifted up. It’s a place where their strengths shine first and where they are celebrated, not just for what they do, but for who they are."
The success of this event was made possible through the generosity of the Christopherson family and Republic National Distributing Company, who underwrote the luncheon, as well as the many sponsors who provided their support. The event also recognized the dedication of Westview’s staff, including Director of Development Julie Aronstein and Director of Communications Sarah Chauvin, whose efforts ensured a meaningful and memorable experience for attendees.
Special appreciation was extended to Nelson Armstrong for mentoring the student performers, as well as to teachers Mrs. Kaylee and Mrs. Angela for guiding students in creating beautiful hand-painted vases that served as unique centerpieces.
The luncheon underscored the unwavering support of the Westview community, with families and friends coming together to advance the school’s mission. As the event concluded, gratitude filled the room, reinforcing a shared commitment to writing the next chapter in Westview’s legacy.
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February 19, 2025
Texas Children's Trainees Visit Westview
During Community Advocacy Month, Texas Children's Hospital's Meyer Center for Developmental Pediatrics and Autism engages its developmental-behavioral pediatric trainees in community site visits. These trainees, which include developmental-behavioral pediatric fellows, neurodevelopmental disabilities residents, and social work interns, participate in this initiative to better understand the systems that support their patients. The objective is to familiarize professionals with available community resources. Westview is fortunate to continue participating in this valuable rotation.
On February 19th, Bevan Koch, Head of School, and Jolaine Zuccala, Admissions, hosted the trainees from Texas Children's at Westview. The day began with a presentation, followed by a guided tour of our campus and observations in our classrooms. The visit concluded with a panel discussion featuring several Westview Middle School students. The Q&A session was an excellent opportunity for our students to share their stories of personal growth at The Westview School. The students fielded questions such as, "What do you want your doctors to know about Autism?" and "What do you like about Westview?" We are incredibly proud of how well our students represented themselves and our school.
Dinah Godwin, the Director of Social Work at the Meyer Center for Developmental Pediatrics and Autism, expressed her appreciation in a note to Westview, stating, "Our group really appreciated all the time you spent describing your programs, touring us through the campus, and answering all of our questions. Everyone was so impressed with the school environment and the obvious passion you all have for your students. It was incredibly helpful to see Westview in action as we guide families seeking school options. Of course, our favorite part was the Middle School panel – your kids were amazing, and we could have talked to them all day!"
Westview looks forward to continuing its partnership with Texas Children's Hospital!
September 25, 2024
The Westview School Honored as a 2024 School of Distinction by Cognia
One of Only 60 Schools Recognized from Nearly 2,000 Reviewed Worldwide
Houston, TX – The Westview School is proud to announce that it has been named a 2024 School of Distinction by Cognia, an international leader in school improvement and accreditation. This prestigious recognition is awarded to only 60 schools out of 1,952 evaluated worldwide last year, placing Westview among an elite group of educational institutions committed to excellence in teaching, leadership, and student success.
This distinction highlights The Westview School’s dedication to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where children with autism can thrive both academically and socially. Cognia’s award is based on Westview’s outstanding performance during its 2023-2024 accreditation review, which praised the school’s strong culture of parent involvement, staff collaboration, and the use of data-driven strategies to enhance learning outcomes. The review specifically noted the school’s investment in professional development, fostering a culture of continuous improvement for both staff and students.
“This recognition is a testament to our entire school community—our dedicated teachers, staff, parents, and most importantly, our students. At Westview, we strive to create a place where children with autism are not only supported but are also challenged to reach their fullest potential. We are honored to be recognized by Cognia for our efforts,” Bevan Koch, Head of School at The Westview School.
To celebrate this achievement, a representative from Cognia was on Tuesday, September 24 to formally present the School of Distinction award during an all-school assembly.
The Westview School believes that when children with autism are educated in a nurturing and supportive environment, they learn, grow, and develop a strong sense of self and an appreciation for others. Founded in 1981, the school offers a comprehensive program that includes academics, social skills development, and real-world experiences to prepare students for future success. This award marks another milestone in Westview’s long-standing commitment to educational excellence.