FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the Main office hours?
Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where are students dropped off and picked up?
Please drop off and pick up your child in the student parking lot, located in the southeast corner of the school, off Briar Home. Do NOT use the circle drive (except for students with disabilities) or stop along Briar Forest.
Where should students park?
Students may park in the Student Lot in assigned spaces with a permit or on the street where allowed by city ordinance. Students with off-campus privileges must park in the Student Lot if they intend to exercise those privileges during the school day. Students may not park in any other campus parking lot. Students parked in unauthorized spaces will be towed at the owner’s expense! Information on parking permits, including the application, is available on our Parking web page.
Where do visitors park?
Visitors to the Westside Campus should park in the Circle Drive off Briar Forest in the spaces designated for that purpose. Please do not park in reserved spaces or the fire lane! If the Circle Drive lot is full, you may park in the adjacent lot in front of the school EXCEPT during the hours of 7:30-8:30 am and 2:30-4:00 pm on school days when the lot is reserved for school buses only.
If you are attending a school event after 4:00 pm, you may park in any Westside lot but please be aware that the gates on both the Student Lot and Faculty Lot at the rear of the school will be locked at 9:00 pm.
What is the bell schedule?
On Monday, Tuesday and Friday, we follow a 7 period bell schedule and classes meet for 50 minutes. On Wednesday and Thursday, we follow a block schedule with a 90 minute classes. Periods 1, 3, 5, and 7 meet Wednesday and periods 2, 4, and 6 meet Thursday. Class begins at 9:30 Thursday. Please note that off-campus is available 7th Period ONLY; Thursdays will NOT include an off-campus period. (Please see website.)
Why the block schedule on Wednesday and Thursday?
One of the measures of an exceptional school is academic excellence and in order to achieve this, professional learning must be ongoing. Research has indicated that the only effective method is to enable staff planning during the contract day. The block schedule permits us to incorporate professional learning on Thursday morning without significantly lengthening the school day. (With fewer periods, less time in needed to pass between classes.)
How can I register my student for Westside?
You will need to come to the Registrar’s office (A-116) and bring documentation outlines on our Registration and Transfers web page. During the school year, the office is open for new student registration from 8:00 – 10:00 AM, Tuesday – Friday. In addition, there are special registration times offered at the beginning of each semester and over the summer; please check the school calendar or contact the Registrar’s Office at 281-920-8039.
Who is eligible for bus transportation?
Students who are zoned to Westside High School and live more than 2 miles from the school are eligible for HISD bus transportation. Non-zoned students in our Magnet Program and those with Career & Technology or M-to-M (majority to minority) transfers are also eligible. Additional information can be found on our Bus Transportation web page.
How will I know if school has been cancelled due to inclement weather?
HISD maintains an inclement weather hotline at 713-267-1704 and typically will post school closings on their website at houstonisd.org. You can also check local television/radio stations as HISD releases this information immediately to the press.
Do you have a “Lost and Found?”
Yes. It is now located in Student Services, Room K105.