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Winston Essential Skills Survey (WESS)

Winston Prep had been using its Quality of Sustainable and Independent Learner (QSIL) scale to assess the socio-emotional progress of students for over a decade but formalized this project in 2012.  In 2022 the scale’s title was revised in order to highlight the scale as an assessment tool of the specific social-emotional skills included in the QSIL framework. This assessment tool is now known as the Winston Essential Skills Survey (WESS).
In Phase One of this project, Winston Prep teamed up with the National School Climate Center (NSCC) to (1) identify and solidify the qualities that lead to independence in later life, and then (2) establish the WESS scales as reliable and valid surveys that can be used to (i) understand a student’s social-emotional strengths and needs; and, (ii) be a reliable and valid indicator of social-emotional learning capacity. Phase Two of this project included (1) all students and faculty members completing the WESS survey twice a year at all campuses, (2) the completion of a reporting module to allow for immediate results of the survey to be available to all Winston Prep faculty members, (3) the distribution and discussion of WESS results to WPSNJ, WPSCT , WPSNY, and Winston Transitions families, and (4) the ongoing development of guidelines for educators when working with students to encourage the development of the QSIL qualities. The currently ongoing Phase Three, led by Winston Innovation Leaders and the in-house research team includes (1) using the WESS Survey with a variety of mainstream schools to establish reliability, (2) the continuation of the development of guidelines for educators, (3) advanced professional development and case study analysis for Winston Prep teachers and leaders, and (4) establishing the relationship between WESS scores and student outcomes.
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Winston Preparatory School is a leading school for students with learning disabilities, including dyslexia, executive functioning difficulties (ADHD), and non-verbal learning disorders (NVLD).

WPS does not discriminate against applicants and students on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin. The Winston Preparatory School provides programs and services and equal opportunity in the administration of its educational and admissions policies, financial aid programs, employment, and the selection of its governing board without regard to gender, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability status, or any status recognized by federal, state and local civil rights and non-discrimination laws.