This article is brought to you by Westdale Heights Academic Magnet.
Westdale Heights Academic Magnet (WHAM) is a dedicated academic magnet with a focus on environmental science, mathematics, and technology. Since 2004, WHAM has combined rigorous academics with hands-on educational opportunities for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
WHAM Principal Nathan Hite believes hands-on experiences are beneficial to all students. “You have students who are visual learners, students who are auditory learners and students who are a combination,” he said. “For all of them, we’ve seen that it really solidifies the learning when they get to do something. Whether they’re in the gardens or science lab, they learn what it means to be caregivers and good stewards of our earth.”
“Something that is so special about WHAM is the different learning spaces for students,” said Genevieve Moss, WHAM’s Magnet Site Coordinator. “We have traditional classrooms and we also have beautiful school gardens, a STEM lab, a science lab and even live animals – including a bearded dragon that our student lab helpers love to take on walks. There are so many places on campus where students can learn.”
WHAM currently serves about 420 students in grades K-5 and prides itself on a diverse student body. “We love that we have a very diverse student population,” Moss said. “We’ve seen over time that our students in all subgroups excel academically as a result of hands-on learning. Additionally, we have experienced teachers who know how to reach all types of learners.”
WHAM also values a close-knit environment, commonly called the “WHAM-ily.” Teachers and administrators get to know families personally and maintain high levels of communication. Parents are deeply involved and invested, and many have sent multiple children to the school over the years.
One strong sign of those connections came when WHAM hosted an event for graduating high school seniors to return to the school and pay tribute to their former teachers. Hite noted that the idea for the event came from a WHAM parent.
“It was a wonderful event filled with happy tears and pictures,” Hite said. “It says something great that so many of their teachers are still here several years later. It shows how much of a family we are. We really have that traditional vibe in a modern era. We do a great job of balancing the two.”
As a magnet school, WHAM’s application process is open to children from across the East Baton Rouge Parish Schools attendance zone. Parents can apply online at www.ebrmagnet.org during the Priority Magnet Application Period, which runs from October 14 through December 4, 2026. From there, students are assigned to WHAM through a lottery selection process. Students entering grades K-3, who are selected in the lottery, take part in an academic screening which determines final eligibility for enrollment. Students entering grades 4-5 must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA for the last four consecutive semesters, and perform on a level of Basic or above on LEAP 2025 or the equivalent on a norm-referenced assessment in both ELA and math.
WHAM will host open house tours for prospective K-5 families on Tuesday, Oct. 6 and Wednesday Oct. 7 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am each day. An informational session for incoming K-5 families will be held on Wednesday Oct. 7 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Families can also schedule tours by calling 225-926-5421. For more information, please visit www.westdaleheights.com.
Email Amanda McElfresh at amcelfresh@theadvocate.com

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