2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 - 1999 - 1998 - 1997- 1996 - 1995 - 1994 - 1993 - 1992

 

 

2009

January '09

Dr. Ragan receives the "Outstanding Educator's Award" from the National Federation for Just Communities of WNY.

 

August '09

WCCS completes a construction project consisting of a new dining hall, home and careers room, music room, staff lounge, offices and playground.

 

2008

 

February '08

Construction project of the new Westminster Community Charter School addition is launched. To view picture click here.

 

March '08

First, second and third graders of WCCS, amongst other schools, created posters to reflect a future without barriers to fair housing based of the book Dots: A Fair Housing Tale. Their posters portrayed a culmination of the children's vision of a society free from discrimination.  Their creative artwork was displayed at the Buffalo International Airport. 20 of the 30 exhibits were from WCCS.

 

April '08

Dr. Ragan receives the "Educator of the Year Award" from the Minister's Wives and Widows Auxiliary to the Great Lakes Baptist District Association.

September '08

WCCS initiates the YMCA Pre-K program.

October '08

WCCS completes its new school addition project and celebrates an amazing ribbon cutting ceremony attended by parents, teachers, students, M&T Bank's Chairman, Robert Wilmers, BPS Superintendent, Dr. James A. Williams, Board of Education's president, Mary Ruth Kapsiak and many other important figures of the community.

 

2007

February ‘07

A new Web site is launched with the latest news and events for the school at http://www.westminsterccs.org .

May ‘07

Dr. Ragan is presented with the Leadership Buffalo Values Award for Inclusion from Leadership Buffalo.

M&T Bank receives a 2007 Pathfinder Lifetime Achievement Award for Education. This award recognizes organizations for bridging the gap between business and education.

 

2006

January ‘06

On the 2005-06 eighth grade NYS ELA exam, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding standards is 76%, an increase of 25 percentage points from the 2004-05 results of 51%. On the fourth grade exam, 65% of the students meet or exceed standards, an increase of 12 percentage points from the 2004-05 results.

WCCS ranks in the top 10 of all the public schools in the City of Buffalo for all of the NYS ELA exams (grades 3-8).

March ‘06

WCCS ranks in the top 10 of all the public schools in the City of Buffalo for all of the NYS Math exams (grades 3-8).

19 WCCS teachers and two administrators attend a Columbia Reading and Writing Workshop Conference in New York City.

June ‘06

WCCS presents a resolution, which is approved by the Buffalo Common Council to utilize the closed Kensington Library building as a school library. The school will be connected to the library by an enclosed walkway.

Four students are accepted into some of the area’s top private high schools (including Nichols, Canisius, and Park).

September ‘06

Westminster starts the school year with a new school song, written by the music teacher, reflecting the enthusiastic school spirit at Westminster.

November ‘06

Grand opening ceremonies are held for the new School Library (formerly a closed county library) adjacent to the school and the new science classroom and lab.

December ‘06

While visiting several urban schools in North America, including Buffalo and Toronto, educators from Japan tour Westminster.

 

2005

January ‘05
A Gifted and Talented Program is established at WCCS. 117 kindergarten through 8^th grade students participate in small group sessions at least two periods per six-day cycle. The program provides opportunities for more challenging homework, research, projects, and field trips.  

WCCS begins Saturday instruction sessions, as needed, to help students prepare for the New York State tests.

May ‘05
The Buffalo News rated WCCS among the top nine elementary schools in Erie and Niagara counties based on an analysis of student socioeconomics and 4th grade standardized math and English test results.

June ‘05
The Buffalo Public School District issues its oversight report for Westminster’s first year of operation as a charter school. The report concludes that the “instructional program at Westminster is exemplary.”

September ‘05

An official school uniform of white top with black bottom and black shoes is established for WCCS. In addition, all students wear ties on Fridays, crisscross ties for the girls and traditional ties for the boys.

Seventh and eighth grade classes are separated by gender, and departmentalized classes are implemented for sixth grade students.

 

2004

February ‘04
The NYS Education Department recognizes WCS in the “NYS Most Improved Schools List” for improvement in Grade 4 English Language Arts, Grade 4 Math and Grade 8 Math. 

May ‘04
In the 2004 Business First Guide to Western New York Schools, WCS ranks 3rd for both Elementary Schools and Middle Schools in the Buffalo Public School District, up from 4th the previous two years. 

May ‘04
On the 2003-04 8th Grade NYS ELA exam, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding standards was 59%, an increase of 29 percentage points from the 2002-03 results of 30%. The eighth grade class ranks third among all the public schools in the City of Buffalo. 

The Westminster Community School Partnership is one of six winners of the National School and Business Partnerships Award from the Council for Corporate and School Partnerships (CCSP). The CCSP was founded by the Coca-Cola Company to recognize and promote successful partnerships among schools, districts and business organizations. The school receives a prize of $10,000 and national recognition in an ad in Education Week. 

June ‘04
On June 2, 2004, the Buffalo Board of Education approves the conversion of WCS to a charter school.

July ‘04
On July 21, 2004, the NYS Board of Regents formally and unanimously approves the conversion of WCS to a charter school. Co-founders Dr. Ragan and M&T’s John Carmichael submit the charter application (over 2,000 pages) to the New York State Education Department for review. 

September ‘04
Westminster reopens as the newly created Westminster Community Charter School (WCCS). 

October ‘04
The Buffalo Alliance for Education Corporate Gold Award is presented to M&T Bank by the Mayor of Buffalo for their partnership with WCCS.

 

2003

February ‘03
The NYS Education Department recognizes WCS in the “2002 Most Improved Report” based on statewide exams.

Westminster’s Grade 8 Math results are the most improved of any public school in Erie County and the District. Westminster’s Grade 4 English Language Arts (ELA) results are the fourth most improved in the county and the second most improved of all Buffalo Public Schools.

Spring ‘03
WCS collaborates with Buffalo State College to improve the after-school program. In the spring, a Professional Development School concept is implemented and students receive course credit as well as a stipend for hours worked beyond the required course hours.

Spring ‘03
On the 2002-03 NYS math exam, the WCS fourth grade ranks first and the eighth grade ranks third among all the public schools in the City of Buffalo. On the NYS ELA exam, the fourth grade class ranks fourth and the eighth grade ranks tenth.

May ‘03
In the 2003 Business First Guide to Western New York Schools, WCS ranks 4th out of 44 elementary schools and 4th out of 42 middle schools in the Buffalo Public School District.

November ‘03
The Maryland State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Nancy Grasmick, visits WCS.

 

2002

January ‘02
Dr. Ragan is selected to participate in an international study conducted by the University at Buffalo on five female principals from around the world.

February ‘02
Westminster is featured in “Real Parents, Real Schools,” a program on parental involvement at the school, produced by local PBS affiliate WNED-TV.

May ‘02
In the 2002 Business First Guide to Western New York Schools, WCS ranks 4th out of 43 elementary schools and 4th out of 43 middle schools in the Buffalo Public School District.

 

2001

February ‘01
Over $35,000 in books purchased by M&T Bank are leveled and distributed among the primary grade classrooms.

March ‘01
Dr. Ragan is honored as a Citizen of the Year by The Buffalo News.

August ‘01
The Financial Times of London highlights M&T’s Partnership with Westminster.

September ‘01
Pennies for Patriots drive begins, ultimately raising nearly $1,000 for families of September 11 victims.

 

2000

January ‘00
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton visits WCS and applauds the school’s success.

May ‘00
Dr. Ragan receives an honorary doctorate degree from Canisius College.
Extended after-school program begins.
M&T Bank and WCS receive the YMCA Stewart Partnership Award in recognition of the school’s summer day camp program.

 

1999

February ‘99
M&T Bank and the Partnership are featured in CNN’s “Investing in Futures.”

 

1998

January ‘98
Columbia Consultants’ Reading and Writing Project begins.

Spring ‘98
WCS connects to the Internet, allowing all students access from the classroom.

 June ‘98
Test scores place WCS in the top 5 to 10% of the District, including number one in the District in the Terra Nova math exam in 7th and 8th grades.

Summer ‘98
WCS is featured in the Christian Science Monitor and the National School Board Association Journal. Over 90% of staff participate in a week-long Columbia Writing Workshop.

 

1997

Spring ‘97
Westminster exceeds the district average in math and reading on the nationally standardized Terra Nova exams. M&T Bank is awarded the Gold Commitment to Education Award by the Mayor of Buffalo.

 

1996

Summer ‘96
The successful summer school program is continued with parent volunteers and teachers compensated by M&T Bank. Phase Two of the computer technology integration program is completed.

 

1995

March ‘95
School 68 is renamed the Westminster Community School (WCS) to create a more positive identity.

Summer ‘95
With M&T Bank support, WCS launches a six-week summer school program with a scholastic curriculum and weekly field trips.

Fall ‘95
WCS and M&T Bank create a mentor program that matches bank employees with students. M&T Bank supplements full-time and part-time staff positions. The after-school program expands to include 300 students.

 

1994

Summer ‘94
M&T Bank sponsors School 68’s first summer school program.

July ‘94
Dr. Yvonne S. Minor-Ragan is appointed as School 68’s new principal.

Fall ‘94
School 68 organizes its first student choir in years, with more than 70 participants.

November ‘94
School 68 launches its first after-school program, with voluntary participation from 65% of the student body.

 

1993

January ‘93
The School 68 Partnership (“The Partnership”) is formed with the goal of improving the quality of education at one Buffalo Public School. March ’93 The Partnership selects Buffalo School 68, one of the lowest performing schools in Buffalo.

 

1992

December ’92
M&T Bank’s management determines that an optimal way to positively impact the community is through better education of its children.