Harvard-Westlake School consistently ranks among the top schools in Los Angeles. This independent, university preparatory school is all about helping kids reach higher education and, in turn, take on the real world. By its name alone, you can already tell that this academic institution is serious about getting kids, not just to any university, but to Harvard University. This is one of the most prestigious schools in the world, coveted by most Americans and beyond. If this school can guarantee that your kids can get into this prominent Ivy League School, it's likely worth checking out!
Source: Harvard-Westlake School Facebook Page
History of Harvard-Westlake School
Educator Grenville C. Emery founded the Harvard School for Boys in 1900. The Boston native sought to establish such an institution on the West Coast, even going so far as to ask permission from Harvard University to use its name for the school. The university's then-President Charles W. Eliot permitted him that same year, giving the green light for establishing the school. Around the same time, Jessica Smith Vance established the Westlake School for Girls in 1904 in
Downtown Los Angeles. It became one of the first all-girls schools in the city at the time, especially one that provided both primary and secondary education. In 1989, both schools merged, producing the Harvard-Westlake School in LA today.
What is Harvard-Westlake School's Campus Like?
Harvard-Westlake School has two campuses in two different
neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The first is the Middle School, which still stands in the same former Westlake campus in Holmby Hills. This campus is relatively bigger compared to the other one, complete with a newer library, a science center, and even an 800-seat theater called the Bing Performing Arts Center. The other campus, which has the Upper School, is at the former Harvard campus in Studio City. This place features the Munger Science Center, the Rugby Building, and the Seaver Building, among many others. These are the facilities that house computer labs, the foreign language & history departments, a costume shop, and a 300-seat theater.
Source: Harvard-Westlake School
The Harvard-Westlake School Student Body
Harvard-Westlake School is one of the biggest schools in Los Angeles in terms of student bodies. Today, the school welcomes over 1,500 students per year, a combination of both new enrollees and those returning who haven't graduated yet. Considering that the school is a result of a merger between two separate and equally historic academic institutions, it makes sense that Harvard-Westlake School has this many students today. At the same time, it's also a diverse student body. About 41% of them are White, 22.6% of them are Asian, 13% of them are Multiracial, 11.3% of them are Black, 10% of them are Hispanic, and 0.8% of them are Native American.
What is Harvard-Westlake School's Curriculum?
As already mentioned, Harvard-Westlake School is a college preparatory school in Los Angeles. Most of its academic programs are geared to help students take on higher education once they graduate. Part of this is focusing more on middle and senior high school, in contrast to other schools that also feature a preschool and primary school. In terms of its academic approach, standard subjects are required. Students here are required to have at least six years of Mathematics, Science, English, Social Studies, and more. This way, they'll be more than ready to apply and have higher chances of getting into Ivy League Schools, the
top universities in London, and more.
Source: Harvard-Westlake School Facebook Page
How Much Does It Cost to Study at Harvard-Westlake School?
Harvard-Westlake School is a private, college-preparatory school in Los Angeles. This alone should tell you that it's an expensive school too. Its tuition fee costs around $49,700.00 per year across the board, from middle school to senior high school. This is already considerably higher compared to how much other LA schools cost. On top of that, the school also imposes a one-time $2,500.00 new student fee, an optional $3,300.00 to $3,600.00 bus service fee, and $2,500.00 to $3,500.00 school material fees. Do you think you can afford all that paired with
LA's high living costs?
Where is Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles?
As mentioned previously, Harvard-Westlake School has two campuses in two different districts, Holmby Hills & Studio City. Holmby Hills is on the western side of LA and is a largely residential district. It's also an affluent area with some of the most
luxurious homes in Los Angeles, ranging from full-blown mansions to high-class penthouses. Studio City, on the other hand, is right by Hollywood. Though a good portion of it is residential, this is also where many old movie studios were located (hence the name). As a result, the area is also busier compared to Holmby Hills and isn't exactly a family-friendly neighborhood in Los Angeles.
Source: Harvard-Westlake School Facebook Page
If you want your kid to someday get into Harvard or any of those world-renowned Ivy League universities, enroll them in Harvard-Westlake School. This is one of the finest college preparatory schools in Los Angeles, bar none!
