Westside High School

5530 Firestone Road

School District

Duval County Public Schools
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for Duval County Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 16, 2025

My child was being failed due to the school not issuing a laptop to her which they were supposed to since a majority of their work is through online programs. They finally issued a laptop once I brought it to to the principals attention, along with the fact that my child was not only being bullied by peers, but by a teacher as well, who had also been bullying many kids in the class and told them she was in her 60's, she didn't care about any of them, and there was nothing the school would do about it. The principal promised to remove my child from this woman's class and that the bullying wouldn't happen again. The principal never did, he refused to return calls, messages left in person, or even emails. When he would see me, he would quickly turn around and walk into an area we aren't allowed in. The laptop issued was broken and no teacher would allow her to go to the office to get it fixed, the rare times they did, the office staff did not help her and the person she was supposed to see was never there. It only got fixed once I brought the laptop on and said I'd wait until he was available to make sure it happened. I tried almost the entire school year to talk to him to get her transfered out, nothing happened. We are military and were possibly going to be moved again after just moving here. The office said she could wear polo shirts until we knew if we were or not. The principal is a previous social worker, so I thought he would understand the issues she had with severe anxiety and autism (we were undergoing assessment for diagnosis then) but instead, after avoiding me all year, he then singled her out in front of all the kids one morning and berated and yelled at her for wearing a polo shirt and not the school uniform, even as she pointed out all of the other kids who were also not wearing the uniform as well and asked why it was only her being singled out. He continued to make a scene with the security guard, both going off on her anyway. She had texted me saying she wanted to go home which is unusual for her. They refused to let her answer my calls until she did it anyway. After which, they tried to label her as aggressive and out of control. I found her sobbing in the corner of the office when I came and got her. She went from honor roll, to almost failing going to this school. Not to mention hearing gunshots while having to be outside for PE. This is the worst school we have ever been in and we have moved for 20+ yrs, through five kids.
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2023

Great school for my kids they have learned alot
Submitted by student on June 18, 2014

My school has changed around a lot, they've worked so hard to where their at. If you want a student to make friends, it's a little tough at this school, especially if you come in your 10th grade year. The English and biology teachers are really nice and they make sure the student understands what their doing the math department is good butnot fantastic. The elective classes are fun. We have Spanish, French, gym, rotc, computer, culinary, etc. Our school is really big on talking about sports, mainly the guys. If you want a way to make friends sports is the answer. We have football, really good soccer teams, amazing bowling team, basketball, softball, and a great baseball team, etc. There are plenty of clubs and recently drama club was addedand more
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2014

This a great place to send your son or daughter. The administration and staff is great. They care about ALL students and they are willing to listen to parents and students concerns. I can say the principal Dr. Bostic supports the students in academic and in extracurricular activities and organizations. I have seen him at every football game and basketball game (home and always). We as parents cannot always blame the school for every thing, we have to support the school more. GREAT PLACE and I Love the school. Dr. Bostic keep us informed by communicating to us by the phone message...I look forward to receiving his messages. The is orderly and structure.....Please keep up the great work!
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2013

This is the worst racially profiled school that will not bother to help out troubled youth at all! Rather kick the youth out of school or lock them up based on their own opinions! I believe they should pink slip all the administration and start over with non-bias individuals who are willing to help everyone have a fare chance for fundamentals of learning. The school has cameras for protection , but when you need them they do not work or the system is down!! I suggest if your child has to go to school here , for you to go to the School Board and get a Special Assignment to anywhere else. Just my thoughts.
Submitted by student on January 14, 2013

i am a student here at Forrest and this school sucks. It is terrible. We have WAY to many fights in one day. plus we get racial comment on the white kids, or Mexican. i am white & Mexican mixed. Plus the teachers are not putting their foot down when it comes to the students. They walk all over the teachers like they are nothing. plus the classes here are to easy. i am in advanced and they are below the level they need to be. and they have something new.. they mix the ESE kids with standard now. the teachers have to take out their time to calm them down and help them
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2012

My son graduated from Nathan B Forrest last year. I have to say since Dr Brennan took on this school I have seen a great improvement in structure and discipline within the staff as well as the students conduct. He has been a great asset to this school and I commend him for his dedication for his unwavering fight to save these kids,including mine. It took some initiative on my part as a parent, yes a lot of initiative,but I must say it was worth every minute of my time. Thanks Dr Brennan & Staff for being there for me and my son and making a difference.
Submitted by student on September 07, 2012

THIS SCHOOL WAS DEFINITELY MY WORST HIGHSCHOOL EXPERIENCE. School just started and already I can tell I'm not going to last here. All of the faculty and staff are rude and disrespectful. It is super unfair here and they refuse to compromise. This school all together will set you to failure because all the staff are worried about all day is what you are wearing. Form fitting clothes not welcomed but skinny jeans EVERYWHERE... Oh! The classes are boring and below average level. They take phones even if you are not on them and keep them as their own. They don't follow the code of conduct , they add their own ridiculous remix. Their focus is not on learning all they do is invade everyone's privacy and try to run each student against our will. Your classes will be all over the place and they expect you to be their in a jiffy. I'm a honor student and I actually care about my future although attending forrest is constantly messing up my record. I've gotten tardies even though one foot was in the classroom, issp for a skirt that was finger length, and my phone was confiscated for falling to the ground.. I can't wait to transfer to Stanton College Prep very soon thats a school to aim for !
Submitted by student on February 25, 2011

When I first moved down to Florida, I came on this site to see how the school I had to go to would be and this gave me the wrong idea completely. The students are not bad really. It's the staff. They are very RUDE all the time. The teachers don't teach really either. The staff could care less, the principal, vice principals, teachers, none of them care about the parents opr students. A lot of them I should say. It's really sad but the students are great. Made some really good friends.