WSES House System

What is a House System?

House systems originate from British boarding schools in the 1800s as a means to support and encourage students in their academic and social lives while apart from their families. They also were part of an effort to promote positive behavior and decrease negative behaviors.

  • Students are assigned to one of a few houses
  • Students can earn points for their house through positive behavior
  • Houses are recognized with incentives based on points

Does this remind you of Harry Potter? The Hogwarts houses are also based on this idea.

Why Did WSES Implement a House System?

West Springfield's goals for our house system are to help with a number of school priorities.

  • Staff and students connect with one another and develop closer bonds.
  • Students gain a sense of belonging and feel supported, which helps reduce disciplinary problems.
  • Students take ownership in their school.
  • Students learn to self-govern themselves and their behavior.
  • Students develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, as well as flexibility and resilience.
  • House competitions provide students a sense of achievement outside of the classroom.
  • Everyone has fun!

How Does the WSES House System Work?

Students are all assigned to one of four houses that they will stay in as long as they are at WSES. Within each house, students are also assigned to a smaller "corral" (we are still all the Mustangs, and all of our houses are represented by a mythical horse). These Corrals are made up of students from grades K-6 and a couple WSES staff members. These Corrals stay consistent from year to year (as much as possible), helping students develop relationships with other staff members in the building and connections with other students across the school. Houses and Corrals meet together periodically throughout the school year.

Additionally, staff and parent volunteers are able to award points to students and their house for demonstrating positive behavior in targeted areas. Houses periodically receive recognition for different achievements. These include incentives all houses will earn as they reach certain point levels, and also competitive incentives for the quarterly and yearly leaders in points.

What are the Houses at WSES?

The Mustang House

All four of the WSES Houses belong to the Mustang House. We are all Mighty Mustangs!

Resilio House

The Resilio are known for their unwavering resilience and goal-directed nature. They are symbolized by a horse with a vibrant orange coat and two horns, representing energy and determination. Members of Resilio are admired for their ability to overcome challenges and stay focused on their goals, embodying the spirit of perseverance and strength.

Innovara House

The Innovara are celebrated for their critical and creative thinking. Their emblem is a radiant eight-legged horse with an aura of brilliance and intellect. The eight legs represent the eight directions of the world: north, south, east, west, up, down, inside, and outside. This horse is said to have the ability to traverse any terrain with ease, symbolizing boundless exploration and innovation. Members of Innovara are known for their ability to think outside the box and approach problems with innovative solutions.

Synerix House

The Synerix are renowned for their collaboration skills. Their symbol is a majestic red horse with dragon scales that shimmer like fire, representing the power of combining our strengths to achieve great things. The House is celebrated for its efforts to to bring people together and foster teamwork and cooperation. Members of Synerix are known for working collaboratively, supporting one another to achieve common goals and embodying the spirit of unity and collective strength.

Ethica House

The Ethica are champions of global and ethical citizenship. They are represented by a winged horse that symbolizes harmony and cultural connection. It is known for its swift and elegant movements, embodying the ideals of unity and ethical values. Members of Ethica are dedicated to demonstrating integrity and promoting global understanding and environmental stewardship.