Westlake Elementary School

1000 High Street

School District

Santa Cruz City Elementary
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for Santa Cruz City Elementary School District

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 December 21, 2024

Students enjoy learning at Westlake Elementary in a cross section of learning domains as evidenced by their test scores.Schools are about teaching and learning. This school is located near the UCSC campus.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2022

Excellent elementary school. Great teachers and large parent support group.
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2021

Westlake is a top notch school. The programs they offer are very unique and reach children who have varied interests and learning abilities. The school encourages college education with campus connection as well as several other stimulating programs. Our kids has had really amazing teachers and we have the option to be involved with his school life better than any other school I've seen. The school cares about their students differing learning needs and provides accessible resources. We're really fortunate to send our children here.
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2021

We've had a great experience with Westlake. They really care about the students and offer a lot of amazing programs like life lab. Our daughter has loved all her teachers and they really go the extra mile when it comes to helping their students succeed.
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2019

The school does not welcome students from lower socio-econmic backgrounds. They are not sensitive to the differences within those students, and often the teachers get stuck on auto-pilot assuming all families have the same plentiful resources. There is a very serious lack of equity here.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2018

So far after 2 years and 2 kids at Westlake I have gotten to know so much more about what the schools potential is, and how much it depends on volunteers . The first years are always the most disorienting but after getting to know the parents I have joined them in volunteering more and have a voice in what programs our kids can benefit from. I was drawn to the reputation of the school that relies on the culture and dedication of it's community of parents, so we all must put in what we want out of it. I would recommend this school for it's wide range of program and enrichment offerings in arts and science, and its community, and teachers.
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2018

This school was once a great community but is quickly heading downhill due to declining principal leadership and PTA involvement. The school needs to focus on closing the achievement gap among students with lower scores, assuring it's process is equitable and addressing diversity issues when they occur head-on. It's such a shame. It's a wonderful community but leadership is utterly failing and the school feels like it needs new energy......
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2017

All of my children have gone through Westlake and are at the very top of their classes at middle and high school. I can't imagine an elementary school with a more inclusive and compassionate environment. I'm sorry to read other multiple comments about poor treatment of a child of color but I personally haven't seen this type of behavior.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2016

Very friendly environment and the library is an amazing resource. Classroom academics seem to crawl along trying to just barely meet the state requirements as opposed to challenging the kids in any way. Lots of free time in class, lots of repeating lessons from previous weeks/months/grades, lots of kids bored or goofing off....
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2015

This is really an awful school. You would be amazed at how the Principle allows other children treat children of color or low income, or different Ethnic backgrounds. You should take ZERO pride in knowing your child goes to this school. The word is getting out about Westlake, and it's about time. The principle will not protect your child, he will avoid all situations that make him uncomfortable, and because of that many children at this school suffer. The principle's vanity is your child's nightmare.
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2014

This school is great academically, however the no bullying tolerance is not enforced at all. Have had my son in this school under Mr. Curly's rule, while he talks the talk, when it comes down to it-no consequences are given to these bullies. One time the mean old lunch lady REFUSED food to my son after a billing mistake (on their part), when I notified the principle of this issue, he told me the lunch lady denied it all and basically called my son a liar! And it's true, the parents are snobs. Ridiculously snobby. You must belong to the cardigan and khaki club and currently be on UCSC payroll to fit in with the other parents there. If your child has special needs, find another school. My son did great up until this current year (2014), when they decided to drop one of their two resource teachers, leaving the current one overwhelmed with more children than she can handle. Hence, not enough time delegated for each child. Grades are quickly plummeting. Just filed my petition to transfer him out asap.
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2014

Our child has been relentlessly bullied. We enrolled him in a local private school and have seen a complete 180 in his confidence, happiness and willingness to learn. He's no longer dreading school because of hurtful behavior. He is excelling academically, socially and emotionally. I have to agree with previous posts: bullying is pervasive and trickles down. The parental community is just as bad as the classroom community. Where do you think these kids are learning their behavior? JMO. Good riddance.
Submitted by parent on July 01, 2014

The teachers were great, however if your kid is colored, low-income and you don't donate ridiculous amounts of money to the school you are not equal. My child was pretty much the only child of color in her class and she loved it the first half of the year. Then kids started stealing her lunch, criticizing her for being bilingual (she's fluent in 2 languages), and nobody did anything. Even when I registered her because I put that she was bilingual they wanted to put her into English learning courses and have her separated from the class to receive these services. I had to have the teacher sign off that she was actually much more proficient in the English language than most students in her class and argue with the administration. I didn't want her separated more than she already felt. Plus some moms are snobby, they continuously called the kids from the local apartment complex the plague of the school. The principal runs the school like a private school and some parents believe this too. Transferred her to a new school and she is now so comfortable. Other friends are trying to transfer their kids due to bullying for the color of their skin. Test scores are not everything.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2014

In an error of zero tolerance for bullying it is shocking to see a Principal (Clyde Curley) bully parents, staff and children. Someone ought to stop this man and investigate his tactics and question why he is in the position of leadership where he can influence policy.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2014

Fantastic teachers, awful Principal. The "Bullying Policy" is not enforced, although they will tell you it is. I expected more from this school and am considering alternatives.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2013

This school is wonderful, I was just chatting to another parent about our new teachers and she said "Well you know at Westlake you don't really have to worry, you won't get a bad teacher." That is so true. Also it has great art, music and PE programs all as part of the school. We love it!
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2013

Hopefully enrollment issues will be fixed soon... Westlake has a great reputation. Both the CA dept of Education report card & API supports the administration, teaching staff & parent involvement in the stated school goals. However, the school itself has had to add several modular rooms to deal with higher than code enrollments. One of our kiddo's friends was almost turned away less than 2 weeks before school began (& 2 months after confirmation of his spot) because both kindergarten & 1st grade were over enrolled. His mom pointed out that they live less than 5 minutes away & his older sister is already enrolled. Thankfully, they saw sense & he won't have to "come back in 2 years"! Meanwhile, rumors abound of out of area parents "borrowing" proof of residence from folks that live in the district to sneak their kids in instead of using existing transfer protocols. There is some talk of neighboring Natural Bridges Elementary re-opening by the 2015-2016 school year. Hopefully, the additional space will help reduce the stress(es) caused by a growing student population.
Submitted by parent on November 01, 2012

My family and I absolutely adore Westlake, it is such a special, nurturing, place for our son. He and his friends talk about how much they love school. I am so sad we will have to leave soon, as my husband's new commute is really just too far. We are all sad to leave a school that holds so much promise for our son. His teachers have all been so involved and Cathy the librarian is amazing!
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2012

Horrible! I enrolled my son into the school and was shot down continuously by the teachers and aids when it came to my sons skin condition. They were not accepting of his eczema and would not help in aiding the scratching by just rubbing his arms with cream. I was called on a regular basis and missed a lot of days from work due to their careless attitude to my sons minor medical condition.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2011

Curriculum: Awesome! We were new to the area and I was impressed that my daughter was able to take dance, art and life lab. Location: There is a lot of traffic on High St with proximity to the university, but it is very safe. Lots of kids go to school by themselves on bicycles. Teachers: My daughter has a 3rd grade teacher pair, and they were awesome. Class Size: There were 23 students in her 3rd grade class, compared to 40 in the California district we lived in before (only 45 miles away). Overall: This is one of the BEST elementary schools my daughter has been in. And this is her fourth in 4 years.