Westridge School

Our 11th grade daughter has attended Westridge since 4th grade.  She has grown into an incredible student and young woman who stands by her values and has integrity.  Westridge gives young girls the space to explore and develop into who they want to be.  It supports them with incredible academic, social/emotional, artistic, and athletic programs.  The quality of education is exceptional, and the teachers and staff delve deeply into topics both historic and current, giving space for discussion and deliberation.  Class times are extended in order to create a community of learners, and respect is given to each individual perspective.  The value of a Westridge education is seen in the confidence and independence of our daughter, and we recommend you look into this incredible place for your young lady.
Aug 8th, 2021

We've been at Westridge for three years (5th, 6th, 7th) and thus far have had a wonderful experience. The teaching and administrative staff have proven dedicated, supportive, communicative and invested in our daughter's success and happiness at every turn. She's had a couple teachers she didn't love as well as others, but on the whole it has been nothing but excellent experiences across the board. She has grown and matured both academically and emotionally by leaps and bounds while at Westridge. The teachers and counseling staff are proactive and have made every effort to address any challenges and concerns our daughter, or we, have had during the past three years. Our emails are always responded to promptly and thoughtfully. We feel very connected to the school as a whole and believe that the teachers and staff truly want the best for their students. The values and mission of Westridge align with our family values and beliefs. We truly feel our daughter at the right school.
Aug 3rd, 2021

I am the lucky mom of twins with one at Westridge and the other at another area private high school which has allowed me to compare the two. Westridge High School is as terrible as the other school is terrific. No creativity allowed, no independence fostered despite what they tell you on the tour. Might as well go back to the 50s. Girls are molded into obedience, punished and not allowed to have a voice. The students find ways to rebel, but not good ones. Coming out is one way. Another one is pot. My daughter's friends excluded her because she wouldn't do drugs with them. The administration keeps up appearances but is not helping in any ways. Some teachers are great but most are unimaginative bullies, especially the female English teachers who are the worse role models for young women. After comparing with my other twin's school I have taken my daughter out of Westridge and transferred her with her sibling. Stay away is my advice.
Aug 3rd, 2019

Oct 10th, 2018

I have 2 girls that attended lower, middle and upper schools at Westridge.  We have all enjoyed being a part of the Westridge community (including my husband and me). My daughters are very different and each one has thrived and been encouraged to explore her own individual talents and interests.  Just go to an open house and you will be greeted with articulate and self-confident girls of all ages. There are many schools with stellar academics, but you can tell that Westridge is dedicated to cultivating young women of character, intellect and curiosity.  There are many opportunities at Westridge for girls to develop leadership skills and problem solving skills they will use in the future as global citizens. Class sizes are small and ideal for small group discussions.  Teachers truly care about students and make themselves available to girls for questions outside the classroom. They often become mentors for our girls, especially as they get older and ready to go off to college.In terms of the emotional and developmental needs of the girls, there's a full time counselor on staff, comprehensive human development program and a student advisory program (small groups of students, each led by a faculty advisor) that meets regularly. Also the school occasionally brings speakers who are specialists in various fields to speak with students, faculty and parents about pertinent topics ranging from social media to emotional/social issues.  Every year the head of school, Liz McGregor, addresses the entire school community with a theme intended to inspire the girls to be their "Best, Bold Selves" (this was the theme when my girls were in lower school and has become a lasting motto for everyone).The administration does a good job of partnering with parents - they are very supportive of the parents association and open to listening to the needs of families.  In particular, the school has a commitment to inclusion and supports efforts to bring families from different backgrounds together. From the board level to administration they seek diversity of students and faculty.  If you want to know what a school is about, just look at their board and their strategic plan (or if they don't have one, then look at their annual report).The school seems more deliberate than others we've attended in their educational approach. For instance, I notice technology use and classroom format changing over the years, but they don't seem to chase the latest fads. When a laptop program was introduced in the lower and middle school, it was first tested in the 6th grade science class over a year, then it was introduced to an entire grade before being rolled out to the rest of the school. It also seems that faculty are encouraged to seek opportunities for professional development and learn best practices. Upper school is rigorous and challenging, but I hear that graduates are well prepared for college and are often ahead of their peers. I also hear amazing things about the college counseling program. Parents of graduates always tell me that I don't have to stress about college. They have a team of counselors that help advise the girls on choosing schools with the right fit, writing their essays, applying for financial aid etc...I wish that I had the opportunity to attend a school like Westridge when I was my girls' age.
Nov 4th, 2018