Welcome » Principal Message

Principal Message

Dear WESS Community,

 

Welcome to the 2026-27 school year! I hope you all had a restful, rejuvenating summer. I am filled with excitement and optimism to witness all that our students, staff, and families will accomplish together as we embark on another year filled with curiosity, achievement, and community.

 

Leadership & Educational Philosophy

 

As School Leader, my approach to education is grounded in the belief that school should be a place that sparks wonder, builds compassion, encourages creativity, and strengthens resilience. Holding a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership from Hunter College, my work focuses on building rigorous, inclusive environments where academic growth and social-emotional development go hand in hand.

 

My philosophy centers on:

 

  • Crew & Community: Cultivating a strong sense of belonging, student leadership, and equity so that every individual feels known, valued, and empowered to succeed.

 

  • Mastery-Based Growth: Supporting every student with actionable feedback and multiple opportunities to demonstrate mastery, ensuring that high standards are accessible to all learners.

 

  • Adventurous & Expeditionary Learning: Engaging students through real-world experiences, interdisciplinary study, and meaningful challenges that connect their passions to future academic and career pathways.

 

School Accreditations & Recognitions

 

Our collective dedication to these values has earned WESS significant recognitions:

 

  • EL Education Credentials: WESS is named a fully credentialed EL (Expeditionary Learning) Education School, honoring our successful support of students' academic, social, and emotional growth.

 

  • NYCOB Compass Rose School: Recognized by New York City Outward Bound Schools for exemplifying adventurous learning, real-world experiences, student leadership, and a deep commitment to equity and Deeper Learning practices.

We enter this year with incredible momentum. A new school year is a blank canvas, full of untapped potential and extraordinary possibilities. Every September gives us the chance to reset, push past our perceived boundaries, and aim higher than before. Growth doesn't happen by standing still—it happens when we lean into challenge with curiosity, lean on one another for support, and embrace every experience as an opportunity to learn. Whether you are stepping through our doors for the very first time or returning for your final year, know that you are a vital part of this community. Let’s bring our energy, our passions, and our best selves to WESS every single day, ready to support each other and achieve remarkable things together!

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

 

In crew,

 

Dr. Andrew Wintner

 

Principal, West End Secondary School (WESS)