Overview / History

 

Wilshire Elementary Mission Statement

Wilshire will offer a safe, healthy, nurturing learning environment where all students will show academic growth.

Wilshire Elementary Vision:

What is Suzuki Strings?

Through the Suzuki program, Wilshire students have the chance to learn to play the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Parents attend lessons with their children during the school day and serve as "home teachers". Through listening, repetition of skills and positive reinforcement students learn that they can accomplish their goals on their instrument as well as in other subject areas if they just keep trying.

Wilshire's History

Wilshire Elementary was built in 1964 as part of the newly formed Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District. Its first principal was Mr. Joe Waller. The Wilshire Elementary PTA began a year later in 1965. Working with the PTA, Wilshire Elementary developed the first parent volunteer program in HEB, which allowed parents to work in the classroom and around the school with teachers and students. Mr. Waller retired in 1985 and a former Wilshire teacher, Tommie Boaz, became the new principal. Mrs. Boaz held this position until 1993. Dr. Joe Koenig followed Mrs. Boaz as campus principal. Dr. Koenig hired a new assistant principal, Jonathan James in 1994. Mr. James left the HEB schools in 1996, but came back in 2002 as Wilshire's principal until the spring semester of 2009. Carma Schellhorn was named the fifth principal of Wilshire in the fall semester of 2009. Our current administrator is Jodi Ramos.

As Wilshire Elementary grew, we added the gymnasium and library in 1989. A new wing took the place of the portables on the north side of the school in 1995. Due to the rapid population growth, this wing was extended and a new cafeteria kitchen was built in 2000 to allow room for more students in the expanding neighborhood. In 2001, Wilshire became the first Schools of Choice campus to offer the Core Knowledge program and a Suzuki Strings program. Three years later, they became an Official Core Knowledge Campus and one of a select few National Visitation sites. In 2005, Wilshire proudly sent its first sixth grade class of Suzuki students off to Central Junior High to become part of the first HEB Orchestra. Both of these programs continue to enrich our students and their families as we continue to grow our community toward a world class standard. Wilshire Elementary Staff embraces our diversity and foundational support for all learners reaching their full potential required for success in today's rapidly changing society. In 2014, Wilshire Elementary celebrated our 50th year as a part of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District.