Westridge School

324 Madeline Drive

Pasadena, CA 91105

19 Reviews

School District
Grade

4-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 20, 2023

My daughter loves this school. She's been at Westridge since 4th grade and will be going into 8th grade next year. She has flourished academically and socially. The faculty and staff are amazing. The parents and community are welcoming and we have enjoyed getting to know many families. We are looking forward to the future at Westridge and seeing our daughter continue to blossom into a wonderful human being!
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2023

Our daughter joined the lower school in 2020 and quickly found confidence to speak and present amongst her peers.This year a new head of school joined Westridge and brings with her great experience (attended all girls school as a student in her youth and has worked in girls schools for her whole career). She is enthusiast about maintaining the values and traditions of Westridge but is taking a modern and helpful approach to preparing girls for college and beyond the classroom as a female today in our country. She has a daughter at the school herself, which lends another unique understanding as to what parents and children alike are faced with in the current social and educational landscape. The school is very welcoming to new families with plenty of opportunities to volunteer at any capacity you can give and meet other families.
Submitted by other on February 08, 2023

I left Westridge a year and a half ago. The overwhelming workload and competitive environment caused me and a large majority of my classmates (from conversations I've overheard) to develop depression. At one point, it got so bad I was put into a partial hospitalization program. Literally all of my classmates and everyone in the other grades are also overwhelmed by the workload, but I have one difference. I have mild ADHD. All of my teachers and the school administration knew about this. I attempted to off myself twice because the staff failed to provide accommodations for a student with MILD ADHD. Keep in mind I was also taking 8 pills a day for my anxiety and depression. That aside, the sole reason I gave more than one star on this review is because of the education quality. Westridge is a great school for academics, but do NOT send your kids here if they have any sort of neurodivergence. I now go to a school that gives literally the bare minimum for accommodations, and since going this school I've been able to maintain a 4.3 gpa while going to dance classes and volunteering.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2022

Worst experience ever. My girl deteriorated on all levels. They didn’t even care to let us know. It seems that only white girls are entities for good mentorship and care in that school.
Submitted by other on October 01, 2021

The Westridge administrative team and teachers are quick to respond to the needs of students. The faculty integrates the subject matter allowing students to fully understand the curriculum. Our once timid daughter is now articulating her needs openly and clearly. She found the confidence to participate in debate, and now looking forward to trying out for team sports. Similarly, as a parent, I have enjoyed my interactions with Westridge faculty and parent peers alike. Take a tour and speak to a Westridge student. We believe it’s the best endorsement of all.
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2021

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.
Submitted by parent on July 01, 2021

An all-girls education offers girls the chance to grow in their confidence as students, athletes, artists, and leaders without the inbalance of male gender biases. There is a strong sense of student support at this school. The community feels close-knit and creates many opportunities opportunities for the girls to connect socially. There are certainly areas in which this school can grow but compared to other elite private schools in the area, Westridge is a strong choice.
Submitted by student on May 08, 2014

I currently go to Westridge and I love it. I've been there since 4th grade and I am now in 7th. Of course there will be drama considering that we're seventh grade girls, but nothing major has ever happened. The teachers are amazing and I was shy when I entered but I now raise my hand in confidence to ask a question. The class sizes are great and are arranged so I have at least one class with almost every student in my grade of 63. Westridge has done a great job of making sure every student receives individual attention and contributes to class discussion. I love this school and I plan to stay until 12th.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2013

I cannot imagine a more caring environment with a better world view. This is not heads down, old school learning, but multi-dimensional, discussion-based, experiential discovery that empowers girls to be curious, analytical, adventurous, driven leaders. The support from administration trickles down to the girls who appreciate differences and unique strengths among their peers. We are so thankful to be part of this inspiring environment.
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2012

In many ways you get your money's worth...small class sizes, excellent facilities, nutritional lunches, excellent science, math, music and art programs, and great teachers. However, we were very disappointed with the faculty and staff's expectation that Westridge parents are too busy with their careers and/or pursuing their expensive lifestyles to be involved intimately with their child's schooling. There is a "drop off" culture at this school. They expect parents not to be involved as they impose a morality and world view (in sex education, politics, spirituality, etc.) on the girls without parent involvement. Many parents felt that were treated as if they were intruders. There is also poor support and a lack of a system in place to deal with the inevitable gossip, bullying, and cliques that occur at an all girls school. Having the girls meet with the school's very impersonal psychologists, who seem to have an agenda to protect the school's reputation and staff relationships, is not an effective system. Don't be deceived by this school's rating on this site. Unfortunately these things are not visible on the perfectly planned tours and visits.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2012

This site needs to let the community disappear an abusive or inaccurate review. Specifically like the one from June 30th. Obviously somebody is grinding an axe, and that is too bad. We have had an absolutely amazing experience at Westridge. Our daughter has been there from 4-6G, and has blossomed so much as a student and a person. The teachers and administration care deeply and it shows in everything they do. We would never dream of leaving.
Submitted by parent on July 14, 2012

We have been really happy with the education our daughter has received at Westridge. The tuition tops out at 30K, not 50K as the last "parent" commented. Yes it is pricy, but in line with all the top area schools -- Prep, Poly, Harvard-Westlake. Great teachers, beautiful campus and a great school culture. We couldn't be happier.
Submitted by parent on June 30, 2012

Worst school ever.... should never attend Why should you spend $50,000 attending this school?? Should reconsider if you are planning on attending this school
Submitted by teacher on June 15, 2012

Westridge offers a rigorous academic setting where girls really find their voice. All types of girls will find a place at Westridge, and the school encourages them to ask questions, challenge themselves, and truly become the best that they can be. It is a very supportive community, and the curriculum is very progressive and innovative. Our daughter has thrived here! The parent community and the parent association are very welcoming.
Submitted by other on December 16, 2011

One of the follies of current educational institutions is that mastering content is more highly regarded than analytical thinking. At Westridge, the foremost pursuit is to teach its students how to think as conscious and critical citizens, and it does supremely well by its charge. As eyes and consciousnesses are opened, Westridge girls not only learn about necessary content, but surpass this standard level of knowledge by way of their learned and nurtured curiosity. This school develops the whole person and, by way of this, helps teach its girls how they can be of most use to society. In fact, there is an expectation for all girls to ask themselves, "How can I use the knowledge Westridge has given me to better the world?" I am driven by the analytical thinking, ethical concern and social engagement Westridge instilled in me. I am confident that I was named a Rhodes Scholar because of my time at Westridge and for that I am eternally grateful. This school is, in every way, a superior institution. I consider myself lucky to have been raised within its gates and would endorse it to anyone without any hesitation.
Submitted by other on November 10, 2011

Leaving this school was honestly one of the best decisions I have made in my lifetime. While I was a straight A student and asked to stay by the teachers and administrators, I chose to leave because socially this school is a divided mess. In a school were the predominant philosophy is essentially "Independence leads to happiness," there is no community nor sense of kindness, but rather a catty, broken group of students who are at each others throats. While the image of the school promotes academics and elite education, the sad truth is that these girls are taught to be selfish and do whatever they can to get ahead. They are not taught integrity, kindness, or a sense of chivalry, something I personally found frightening. Furthermore, while a liberal political view is taught and accepted by almost all of the students, as they are taught from this viewpoint from a young age, a conservative view is constantly looked down upon. When you have middleschoolers writing papers on "Why everyone deserves healthcare," and liberal propaganda being fed to you hand in mouth, with no opposition, a politically skewed opinion is easily harvested. The school is socially and politically a biased mess.
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2010

My two daughters attend and I am consistently impressed with the administration and faculty. They provide a caring atmosphere with a varied curriculum that challenges my daughters' developing intellect. My children have gained confidence while learning to be articulate and thoughtful. I have witnessed that a Westridge alumae is thoughtful, confident and ready to embrace all that her world may offer.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2010

I have a daughter at Westridge School who is now in her fifth year having started in the fourth grade. We selected the school based on their academic and performance arts strengths. What I discovered once we started were their other unique strengths - technology and the education of the whole child. The first pleasant surprise was the uncompromising commitment of the school to technology. The girls are fortunate to be exposed to smart boards in every classroom and other cutting edge technology preparing them well for the future. Alongside their academic classes, the girls meet on a regular basis to discuss social issues and personal development. There exists character education on this campus within a quiet but vibrant culture of excellence. In the fall, the school will open a new, Leed-certified green science building which we are very excited about!
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2009

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