The Westwood Chinese School: A Community for Learning and Culture

The Westwood Chinese School (WCS) was founded in the fall of 2009 by Yen-Chu Chen and her daughter, Sarina Huang, who recognized a strong community interest in learning Chinese language and culture. In May 2022, during the pandemic, I assumed the role of principal following Ms.Chen’s retirement. Since then, the school has continued its mission of providing quality education while recovering from pandemic-related challenges.
 
What Happens at Westwood Chinese School?
WCS operates on Sunday mornings from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Westwood High School during the academic year. The school offers approximately 40 classes, including:
 
Chinese language courses for both heritage and non-heritage students.
 
Cultural programs such as Chinese dance and martial arts.
 
Extracurricular classes including computer science and math.
 
Currently, about 120 families from Westwood and 17 neighboring cities attend the school. Though enrollment is still recovering from pre-pandemic numbers, WCS remains committed to providing affordable and good-quality education to more families and students.
 
Annual Events & Celebrations
WCS organizes several major events throughout the year, including:
 
Lunar New Year Celebration (January/February)
 
Speech Contest (March/April)
 
Year-End Performance & BBQ (May/June)
 
Summer Reading Throne
 
Westwood Day Booth (September)
 
Halloween Parade & Holiday Book/Costume Sale
 
These events provide students with opportunities to showcase their talents, engage with Chinese traditions, and strengthen their sense of community.
 
How to Get Involved
There are many ways for families and individuals to contribute to WCS:
 
Join the PTO to help plan events and support school activities.
 
Volunteer for school events and celebrations.
 
Students can teach or work as teaching assistants.
 
Participate in the Chinese-English Help Program, where students connect to help each other with language learning.
 
Looking Ahead
My goal is to see WCS grow and thrive, making Chinese language and culture accessible to all. The dedication of parents, students, teachers, volunteers, and staff has made WCS a unique and welcoming place. With continued support, she hopes to expand programs and increase enrollment, ensuring that more students benefit from this enriching experience. I’m grateful to everyone who has contributed to WCS and invite more families to join in this journey. Special thanks to the families who donated to help the school overcome financial challenges. For more information, please visit WCS’s website: www.westwoodcs.org