History and Background
Originally constructed in 1951, West Elementary School received its first addition in 1956 and housed students from kindergarten through grade six. In September 1988, West Elementary School became a K-5 school when the school system was reconfigured to a K-5 (elementary), 6-8 (middle), and 9-12 (AHS) model.
The second addition to the West Elementary School was completed in 1968. It included a media center, cafeteria, auditorium, faculty room, gymnasium, new offices, nurse space, conference room, reception area and two classroom wings (pods) with a large open area in the center of each pod.
Much of the school was built according to the open-space concept, without walls to separate classes. This style of construction proved to be a major detriment because it offered an abundance of visual and auditory distractions for students and provided no privacy for confidential meetings.
In 2001, classrooms in the two open pods were walled in, leaving a large open area in the center of each pod, creating heating and ventilation issues in classrooms.
Since 2001, West Elementary School has added movable partitions to the open area to create small areas; however, the partitions do not reach the ceiling, do not provide privacy, and do not block sounds from adjoining areas. The partition walls have been used as a last resort but are an unsatisfactory way to create small instructional areas.
West Elementary School has the second largest population of Andover’s ten schools, exceeded only by Andover High School. It currently serves 600 students with a staff of 120 teachers, tutors, instructional assistants and other support staff. The total building square footage is 94,000.
The West Elementary School Building Committee can be reached by emailing Chairperson Paula Colby Clements.
