West Mercer Elementary is located on the west side of the island just south of the First Hill, route:…More {:controller=>"listings", :action=>"show", :id=>"first-hill-park"} --> neighborhood, along the roadway that shares its name. State MSP test results are very high, with 85 percent of students achieving math standards and 94 percent achieving reading standards in 2009. The school's classrooms (2009 staffing) are managed by 32 teachers and 35 specialist teachers and other staff are listed as faculty. West Mercer Elementary hosts the school district's gifted student and preschool programs, and features a before- and after-school day care run by a private contractor, <!-- name: Kids Company, for the 2011-2012 school year.</p> <p>Extracurricular activities include an emphasis on music, culminating in a school music concert in the fall and a school musical in the spring. The West Mercer PTA is also very involved in supporting extracurricular activities, including the sponsorship of weekly after-school art classes at West Mercer. West Mercer Elementary school is led by principal Rich Mellish.</p>