FROM OUR BEGINNINGS AS A SCHOOL FOUNDED TO HELP UPLIFT ITS NEIGHBORHOOD, WOLCS HAS RETAINED A STEADFAST VISION OF THE SCHOOL AS A COMMUNITY WHERE STUDENTS WILL FEEL SAFE, SUPPORTED, AND CHALLENGED, AND GRADUATE THOROUGHLY PREPARED TO EXCEL IN THE HIGH SCHOOL OF THEIR CHOOSING. THE QUALITY OF WOLCS'S PREPARATION OF ITS STUDENTS SHOWS IN THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS EARNING PLACEMENT INTO SELECT ADMISSION PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS AFTER COMPLETING THEIR ELEMENTARY EDUCATION AT WOLCS. SINCE 2009, MORE THAN 50% OF WOLCS 8TH GRADERS HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO SPECIAL ADMISSION AND CITY-WIDE ADMISSION HIGH SCHOOLS. HOWEVER, WE RECOGNIZE THAT SUCCESS FOR OUR STUDENTS GOES BEYOND ATTAINING PROFICIENCY IN READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS, MATHEMATICS, AND SCIENCE. TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION AND THE WORLD OF WORK, OUR GRADUATES NEED TO BE COMPETENT IN THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY, CIVIC-MINDED AND SELF-CONFIDENT, ARTICULATE AND CAPABLE OF THINKING INDEPENDENTLY, CRITICALLY, AND CREATIVELY. JUST AS IMPORTANTL