Originally founded as two separate schools– the Harvard School for Boys and the Westlake School for Girls– in the early 1900s, the Harvard-Westlake school became the institution it was today after merging these two institutions.
In doing so, it created a massive educational community, one with the mission to teach students from seventh grade all the way through graduation.
Built on values of diversity, community, and educational excellence, this school does everything within its power to guide students from children into true leaders, helping them live lives fueled by a deeper purpose.
In this mission, the Harvard-Westlake school takes every possible measure to help students step out of their own perspectives, learn from the past, and embrace the possibilities of the future.
Through The Righteous Conversations Program, this school unites teens with Holocaust survivors, allowing them to learn from their experiences and create actionable plans to encourage empathy within their own communities.
By partnering with the Service Year Alliance, Harvard-Westlake empowers students to develop a gap year plan, taking this valuable time to complete acts of public service. As they do, students receive financial support from their school as a token of gratitude for this service.
Harvard-Westlake doesn’t just graduate students. It creates leaders.
Read on to learn more about how to join these historic ranks, research the Harvard-Westlake School acceptance rate, and more about what has made this institution the nationally respected name it is today.
Harvard-Westlake School Acceptance Rate
The Harvard-Westlake School does not publish its official acceptance rate.
Still, the information it does share makes it clear that acceptance into this exclusive, desirable school is a challenging feat.
As of this year, the Harvard-Westlake school received a record-breaking 1,260 applications. This number shows a three percent growth from the previous year, indicating an ever-growing interest in this educational institution.
This school has two main entry points for applications: seventh grade and ninth grade.
The Harvard-Westlake School accepts just over two hundred students starting in seventh grade. Through these vitally important middle-grade years, the school strives to keep class sizes low better to serve the complex needs of these growing teens.
Once a class reaches the ninth grade, Harvard-Westlake opens the doors to an additional ninety students, allowing the class to benefit from new perspectives as they continue to grow into the successful young adults they strive to be. Because the majority of students return to this school every year, there are few opportunities for acceptance out of these narrow windows.
To improve their chances of acceptance, hopeful students should focus on building a desirable resume filled with extra-curricular and stellar recommendations.
Though standardized tests are not a requirement of the application, students can submit their ISEE test scores for consideration.
Harvard-Westlake School Alumni
Though this school is not among the oldest in the nation, it already boasts hundreds of hugely influential alumni, many of which are common household names.
Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal both received their educations in the halls of Harvard-Westlake, growing in their artistic visions as they worked to gain their education.
Today, both popular actors celebrate thriving careers on the silver screen.
Before Tori Spelling was the famous name she is today, she was Victoria Davey Spelling, another student working to gain her education at Harvard-Westlake.
She puts that education to work not only as an actress, but as a writer, producer, and outspoken personality.
Even those who avoid pop culture are likely familiar with the Harvard-Westlake School alumni Shirley Temple. An example of a child star who avoided the curse that claims so many, Shirley Temple changed her acting career for the possibilities of education, selecting Harvard-Westlake as the best place to receive that opportunity.
After graduation, this child star went on to serve as a United States ambassador. Her autobiography went on to earn her the title of “award-winning author.”
In athletics, this school has contributed more than its fair share of renowned basketball players, including Bryce Taylor, Jarron Collins, and Jason Collins.
Harvard-Westlake School Tuition
The Harvard-Westlake School charges a yearly tuition of $44,500 per student. In addition, new students owe a one-time fee of $2,000.
The cost of tuition at this school covers a student’s most direct educational expenses, but parents should include a few more related expenses in their personal budgets.
Students who require the bus system to get to and from school are responsible for a $2,800 to $3,000 fee, depending on their location. Parents should expect to pay anywhere from $2,500 to $3,500 per year between books, food, and other expenses.
These expenses may seem steep, but luckily, Harvard-Westlake offers some financial aid programs to help offset the cost of their world-class education.
These grants and scholarships cover the costs of athletic activities, travel programs, or whatever else a student may choose to do as they advance their education. Currently, around twenty percent of the student body benefits from some form of financial aid.
As these grants are given based on familial needs, parents can use the online estimating tool to gauge how much they might expect to receive from this school.
Harvard-Westlake School Ranking
The Harvard-Westlake School celebrates ranking among the top schools in the entire nation, and as of 2022, it has been declared the number two private school in all of America.
In a list of over 4,000 secondary schools, the Harvard-Westlake School was ranked number two in terms of college preparedness.
The rigorous education and boundless opportunities for community service go miles in helping prepare schools to continue their educations well beyond high school graduation.
In keeping with its mission towards the most diverse student body possible, this school now falls within the top four percent of most diverse schools in America.
This is due primarily to their holistic acceptance process, which aims to create an inclusive, varied student body.
Within the state of California, Harvard-Westlake is just as renowned. It celebrates a spot within the top fifty best schools for athletes in the state, taking special care in showcasing all the skills that make a student special.
Recently, Harvard-Westlake has also been named the seventh-best STEM school in California, no easy task in the heavily populated tech capital of the nation!
From athletics to learning, college preparation to diversity, this school stands out as one of the most remarkable institutions of learning that America offers.
What Athletics and Extra-Curriculars are Offered at Harvard-Westlake School?
The Harvard-Westlake school is proud to offer a wide range of athletic opportunities. In addition to a celebrated basketball team, this school also provides such options as water polo, wrestling, lacrosse, and a range of equestrian sports.
In keeping with its mission to provide the highest possible level of opportunities to its students, this school boasts some of the newest and most well-equipped athletics facilities in the state of California.
At the Marshall Center swimming pool, the swim team practices for their meets. Students of all ages enjoy the opportunity to participate in physical education courses here, taking part in one of the most relaxing, rigorous exercises possible.
The recently renovated O’Malley Family Feild featured professional-grade turf, bullpens, dugouts, and a state-of-the-art clubhouse.
Building a truly inviting academic environment is no easy task, but Harvard-Westlake manages it with flying colors. By offering dozens of clubs and organizations, this school ensures that no matter a student’s interests, they can find a way to get involved.
As the Bring Change to Mind club strives to improve awareness of mental health consciousness on campus, the Cadence for a Cause uses its musical talent to benefit the surrounding community.
Whether a student hopes to heal the environment or build houses for Habitat for Humanity, there is a way they can find the outlet they need to give back.
Should You Apply to Harvard-Westlake School?
Without a doubt, the Harvard-Westlake School has taken an active role in improving its community and earning its title as one of the top schools in the country.
The Westflix Film Festival for California Teens allows students the rare opportunity to display their art and gain credit for their hard work.
This professional-level experience is more than just resume padding; it is a way for young artists to experience the joy that comes with sharing their vision with the world.
This school is not a typical, elite private school. Harvard-Westlake truly cares about sharing its educational opportunities with as many young people as possible, and in doing so, they are currently expanding to a new campus.
As a school that truly cares, Harvard-Westlake is taking every measure to keep this new campus fully sustainable while also protecting the integrity of the surrounding neighborhoods. In doing so, they offer hundreds of job opportunities as they construct yet another stunning educational facility.
With this new campus, applicants have a better chance of acceptance into this renowned institution than ever! The time is right to apply, and with dedication, a student can join in all the opportunities that await at the Harvard-Westlake School.
