2 012 – 2 013 s n a p s h o t
H i s to r i c a l S tat e m e n t Westridge has, from its inception, based all of its programs on the fundamental belief that women have a right to be fully educated in an environment that engages the heart, intellect, body and soul and that it is best for girls to be educated in a single-sex setting. In 1913, the year Westridge was founded, a woman living in the United States was denied the right to vote.Westridge is proud of a heritage that took root in pre-suffrage America 99 years ago, as two mothers, concerned that there was no college-preparatory school on the west side of Pasadena, persuaded Mary Lowther Ranney, a noted architect and teacher, to open a school for girls in her home on the “west ridge” of town.The idea that girls have a right to the best possible education was radical at the time and still is central to the school’s mission and purpose. Westridge School’s vision for the beginning of its second century is both a blueprint for preserving the best of an illustrious past and an incentive for the innovation and flexibility that the next century will require.
Westridge School admits students of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
w e s t r i d g e s chool S tat e m e n t o f P ur pos e The fundamental purpose of Westridge School is to develop in girls their intellectual and creative powers and their unique qualities as individuals. Essential to the school’s purpose is the commitment to be a community that reflects and values diversity, respects individual differences, and responds to a changing, dynamic world. An intellectually engaging and challenging curriculum prepares students to continue their education in college and beyond as discerning, motivated learners who are committed to excellence and goodness in everything they do.The program offers balance among humanities, mathematics and sciences, fine and performing arts, technology and athletics. Westridge strives to develop young women whose joy in learning, personal ideals, commitment to ethical action, social and environmental responsibility, courage and compassion will lead them to meaningful lives as contributing citizens of the larger world.
Founded in 1913, Westridge School is an independent day school for college-bound girls, grades 4 through 12, located in Pasadena, California. Now in its 99th year, Westridge is poised to celebrate its Centennial in 2013-2014. From its inception in 1913, the school has based its programs on girls’ developmental stages of learning, balancing intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth. From Lower School to Middle School and through Upper School, Westridge girls are taught to think critically and independently, work collaboratively, and trust their own judgment. As a school for girls, Westridge develops in students their confidence, creativity, and intellectual potential in a learning environment where leadership, academic excellence, athletic strength, and artistic expression are role modeled by girls, for girls. Join the Westridge community. Be a part of Westridge’s Centennial and its next century of excellence.
enrollment Enrollment includes 70 percent from the independent school sector and 30 percent from public schools. Westridge maintains a 97 percent enrollment retention rate. Total enrollment Lower School enrollment Middle School enrollment Upper School enrollment Senior class Average class size Student/faculty ratio
480 92 132 256 67 14 6:1
diversity The school’s commitment to cultural diversity is reflected in its 49 percent ethnicity enrollment. Socio-economic diversity is significantly supported through the $2.57 million of financial assistance that was awarded to one-third of students in grades four through 12 in 2011-2012.
tuition & tuition assistance Tuition for 2012-2013: $25,550 (grades 4 through 6) $30,600 (grades 7 through 12) Westridge School supports a strong, diverse student body that values both socioeconomic and cultural diversity. Approximately one-third of current students receive some financial assistance to attend. Awards range from a few hundred dollars to full tuition. Lower and Middle School tuition includes an after-school program on campus until 6 p.m. Westridge, in partnership with the La CaĂąada-based Child Educational Center (CEC), offers an enriching educational experience for all students in the program. Students participate in supervised play, study, and activity time.
97%
retention rate for grades 4 through 12
I went to school with boys until the 6th Grade. When I came to Westridge, I started getting better grades. I feel comfortable here, saying what I think. — Grace, 8th Grade
after school care is included in tuition
experienced faculty Two-thirds of Westridge faculty and lead administrators hold advanced degrees, including six who hold doctoral degrees. Well over half bring 10 or more years of teaching experience to the classroom.
academic offerings In Middle and Upper School, Westridge offers more than 165 different courses, which include 13 Advanced Placement courses and eight Honors courses. Electives and advanced courses of study allow each girl to thrive within her areas of interest and strength. The school program is designed so that each student becomes literate not only in fundamental academics such as English, math, and science, but also in art, music, and technology.
leadership development There are more than 100 major leadership roles available in the Upper School alone. Student government opportunities are available in Lower, Middle, and Upper School divisions. Westridge girls are involved in a wide variety of activities and clubs and volunteer with a number of community service agencies, such as the Neighborhood Center, Mother’s Club, Union Station, and the Pasadena Humane Society.
scholastic achievement The Class of 2012 included three National Merit Scholarship Finalists, three Semi-Finalists, and 13 Commended Students. One student earned the “National Achievement Program Outstanding Participants Referred to Colleges� award, and three members of the Class of 2012 received the National Hispanic Recognition Program Award. Over the past six years, 22 Westridge students have been finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
class structure Westridge operates on a rotational, or block, schedule allowing longer classroom conversations between students and faculty. Classes are designed to allow increasing responsibility for intellectual progress and provide students with the academic and personal skills to succeed in Upper School, college, and beyond. Electives and advanced courses of study allow each girl to thrive within her areas of interest and strength. The program is designed so that each student becomes literate not only in math, science, and English, but also in art, music, and technology.
technology Westridge is equipped with more than 700 computers to serve students and teachers on campus. Three technology centers are open daily including the school’s Joan Irvine Smith ’51 Academic Resource Center. Each division and every indoor classroom has access to full multimedia capabilities including SMART Board technology. The school’s photography lab also features a state-of-the-art plasma screen with integrated SMART Board technology, 10 Mac computers with Adobe Creative Suite design applications, and the professional non-linear editing system Final Cut Pro. The Science & Mathematics Building utilizes wireless laptops in lecture and lab spaces for a 1:1 student/computer ratio.
14 6:1
average class size
student / teacher ratio I don’t feel afraid to commmunicate with teachers here. Teachers never talk down to us. We respect them and they return our respect. — Rachel, 10th Grade
13 8 AP Courses
Honors Courses
Art History • Calculus AB & BC •
Algebra II & Trigonometry
Chemistry • English Literature •
Cellular & Molecular Biology
Environmental Science •
Chemistry
European History • Latin; Vergil •
English III
Physics C • Spanish Language •
Latin V
Statistics • Studio Art •
Pre-Calculus
U.S. History
Spanish IV U.S. History
strength in sciences Westridge is committed to empowering girls in the sciences. In 2010, the school opened the Science & Mathematics Building, a 14,000 square-foot, two-level science center that was the first building among San Gabriel Valley independent schools to be LEED-certified, and the first facility in the City of Pasadena to be certified at the Platinum level. The facility includes a photovoltaic installation designed to convert the sun’s light into energy, a white, reflective roof that offsets the building’s cooling needs, and a green roof that is planted with succulents. A rainwater collection cistern, two experimental garden beds, and a leaf decomposition bed are also available to students to learn about the environment. The new Upper School facility advances an already strong math and science program that begins in Lower School. The school’s Research in Science elective provides students with hands-on opportunities at universities and research institutions near campus, including the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). In 2012-2013, seven seniors have been placed with scientists at Caltech and Children’s Hospital, performing research in computational biology, physical and occupational therapy, particle astrophysics, cellular biology, and environmental geology.
7
Research in Science Class of 2013 seniors at Caltech & Children’s Hospital Research topics include: computational biology • physical and occupational therapy • particle astrophysics • cellular biology • environmental geology
I love science. We do so many hands-on projects and we learn a lot. — Juliana, 5th Grade
1 3 in
Westridge students receive financial aid
opportunities in performing arts Westridge is widely recognized for excellence in the performing arts: theatre, dance, and choral and instrumental music. Westridge Theatre stages several productions each year including a fall musical and an 8th Grade play. In addition to performing, students have the opportunity to learn all aspects of technical theatre including directing and set, lighting, and costume design. The music program offers a number of choral and orchestral performances and student concerts. The Westridge Glee Club and Madrigals have traveled to perform in New York at Carnegie Hall, Hawaii, and Japan. The annual dance concert showcases student talent from several genres of dance, including hip-hop, modern dance, ballet, jazz, and traditional cultural dance. Visual and performing art facilities include the Fran Norris Scoble Performing Arts Center, a 600-seat, state-of-the-art teaching theater that includes the Wagener Black Box Theater, outdoor Seiter Family Amphitheater, and Sigrid Burton ’69 Gallery exhibition space. Westridge visual arts students are supported with a ceramics studio with on-site kiln, two drawing and painting studios, a multimedia photography lab and darkroom, and two additional photography and art exhibition spaces. A dance studio and choral and orchestra rehearsal halls, among other areas, are also dedicated to the arts.
22
National Merit Scholarship finalists in the past six years
I would not be exaggerating to say that I owe both my professional career and my personal development to Westridge. — Sigrid Burton ’69, Artist
2/3 of Westridge faculty hold advanced degrees, including five who hold doctoral degrees
athletic program Westridge boasts a winning tradition in athletics. In the past decade, honors have included 10 Prep League Championships, seven California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section (CIF-SS) Individual Championships, one CIF-SS Team Championship, and one CIF State Quarter Final appearance. Westridge participates in the highly-regarded Prep League of the CIF-SS and fields teams in basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and water polo. The Prep League includes Chadwick School, Flintridge Preparatory School, Mayfield Senior School, Polytechnic School, Rio Hondo Preparatory School, and Vivian Webb School. Westridge Middle and Upper School students also compete in the Interscholastic Equestrian League (IEL), a team club sport. Westridge’s Rokus Athletic Complex and Hoffman Gymnasium are home to Tiger Athletics. Frank Athletic Field, complete with digital scoreboards, allows Tiger lacrosse, soccer, and softball teams to host games on regulation fields; Hoffman Gymnasium is home court for basketball and volleyball. Yoga classes take place in a dedicated studio; dance is taught in a spacious dance studio with movement absorbing floors; and athletes benefit from use of the Studenmund Family Weight Training Room, designed specifically for girls.
10
Prep League Championships in 10 years Basketball (2) • Swimming (4) • Tennis (1) • Track & Field (1) • Volleyball (1) • Water Polo (1)
more than
100
student leadership roles in a variety of areas modeled by girls, for girls
3
Westridge Olympians Anne Kursinski ’76, Equestrian 1988 Olympics, Seoul | Silver Medal 1992 Olympics, Barcelona 1996 Olympics, Atlanta | Silver Medal Inger Miller ’90, Track and Field 1996 Olympics, Atlanta | Gold Medal Erica Wu ’14, Table Tennis 2012 Olympics, London
I have the unique opportunity to watch my three girls, all at different developmental stages, be supported by an exceptional school. I have seen the journey that my eldest daughter has traveled, gathering confidence along the way. She is now blossoming into a capable, self assured young woman — I credit Westridge. I observe subtle changes in the curriculum and am always amazed by how the school introduces concepts to the girls at the perfect opportune, age appropriate moment. I have witnessed momentous learning explosions in all three girls that result in the precise building of their self esteem, confidence, and knowledge. I am grateful for the Westridge experience that all four of us have shared. — Sheri Bender, Current Parent
At Westridge, the foremost pursuit is to teach students how to think as conscious and critical citizens. I am driven by the analytical thinking, ethical concern and social engagement Westridge instilled in me and am confident that I was named a Rhodes Scholar because of my time at Westridge — and for that I am eternally grateful. — Carrie Ryan ’08, 2012 Rhodes Scholar
historic campus The school’s 9.5-acre campus houses 17 buildings, including the century-old Pitcairn House, built in 1906 by Greene & Greene, and the Braun Music Center, built in 1909 by noted architect Frederick L. Roehrig. Westridge’s Main Building, built in 1923 by Marston, Van Pelt & Maybury, is the oldest original school building. Designed by Pasadena architect Whitney R. Smith, the Seeley G. Mudd Building is now a dedicated Middle School facility, housing classrooms, faculty offices, and student gathering spaces. Other campus features include the Elizabeth Edmundson Herrick Dining Commons, student lounge areas, and a playground for Lower and Middle School students. Westridge’s latest addition, the Science & Mathematics Building, is a 14,000 square-foot, two-level science center that was the first building among San Gabriel Valley independent schools to be LEED-certified, and the first facility in the City of Pasadena to be certified at the Platinum level.
parent community Parents are key stakeholders in the success of Westridge. The school provides support and encouragement for parents to serve as partners in their daughters’ education and continually seeks meaningful ways to engage parents as important resources of the school. All parents of enrolled Westridge students are members of the Parent Association (WPA). Grade level and cross-divisional volunteer and social opportunities, as well as parent education meetings throughout the school year, help keep Westridge parents involved in their daughter’s school life and informed about the challenges facing youth today. Supporting an inclusive community, the WPA features a Multicultural Parent Collaborative (MPC) and Dads’ Club. The MPC provides parents of different cultural backgrounds and native languages with a supportive community to help them understand and support their daughter’s Westridge experience and to engage in school life. The goal of the Dads’ Club is to enhance the involvement of fathers in their daughter’s school life, with one another, and with the school.
alumnae family More than 4,600 Westridge alumnae span the country and globe, living in 49 states and 25 countries in six of the seven continents. Westridge alumnae carry forward a strong academic tradition, most recently exemplified by recent graduates Sarah Shahawy ’07, USC Class of 2011 Valedictorian and Carrie Ryan ’08, 2012 Rhodes Scholar. Westridge alumnae continue on to live meaningful lives as global citizens, committed to ethical action, social and environmental responsibility, excellence and goodness. Westridge women pursue their own paths to success and include philanthropists, educators, civic leaders, community activists, attorneys, physicians, engineers, architects, authors, artists, musicians, parents, and scientists.
upper school graduation requirements 4 years of English 3 years of mathematics 3 years of history 3 years of one foreign language 3 years of science 3 years of physical education/athletics 1 year of art 1 year of music All students are required to take a seminar course each year on a pass/fail basis. Each senior is required to complete a Senior Project, an important piece of independent work that is investigated in a concentrated, thorough manner. There is a 40-hour community service requirement for all Upper School students. Participation in Interim Week, an experiential program that promotes a sense of discovery, creativity, curiosity, connection, reflection, and responsibility, is required for graduation. The program strives to deepen students’ awareness of their own intellectual and emotional growth as they develop and pursue new interests and passions.
grading In the Upper School at Westridge, grading is done on an A to F scale, plus or minus; pass/fail under certain circumstances. Grade point average is computed on A = 4, D =1, plus and minus used, with no grade of A+. Westridge does not weight grades in computing the GPA; Westridge does not rank.
college counseling Reflective of the school’s mission, Westridge’s college counseling program is committed to the intentional matching of each senior with a college or university aligned with her unique qualities and interests. The program carefully considers each individual, her strengths and aspirations, and guides her in identifying an institution best suited to her goals for the future. Each fall, representatives from over 125 colleges and universities visit campus to meet with seniors. In addition, seminars, evening forums, financial aid workshops, and a comprehensive “case study” featuring dozens of college representatives, provide juniors, seniors, and parents with the resources to help navigate the application process and transition to college.
class of 2012
academic profile Cumulative median GPAs and test scores: 2010 2011 2012 Class size 74 65 71 GPA 3.564 3.628 3.564 Verbal 630-710* 600-690* 610-720* Math 580-680* 580-680* 580-690* Writing 640-730* 620-720* 640-760* * mid-50% range
71 312 seniors took
Advanced Placement Exams
advanced placement Honors and Advanced Placement courses are offered in a variety of disciplines. Advanced Placement
Honors
Art History Calculus AB Calculus BC Chemistry English Literature Environmental Science European History Latin; Vergil Physics C Spanish Language Statistics Studio Art U.S. History
Algebra II & Trigonometry Cellular & Molecular Biology Chemistry English III Latin V Pre-Calculus Spanish IV U.S. History
upper school athletic teams Basketball Cross Country Equestrian Golf Lacrosse Soccer
Softball Swimming and Diving Tennis Track and Field Volleyball Water Polo
Class of 2012 earned the highest score of 5 on
25% of AP Exams taken
100% of the Class of 2012 accepted to four-year colleges & universities
Class of 2012 At-a-Glance The Westridge Class of 2012 gained admission to institutions including: • Liberal arts colleges from Carlton College, Claremont McKenna College, Oberlin College, Reed College, and Swarthmore College to Scripps College, Skidmore College, and Wellesley College. • Campuses across the University of California system. • Private research universities including Brown University, University of Chicago, Emory University, Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins University, New York University (NYU), University of Southern California (USC), Stanford University, and Washington University in St. Louis. • Specialized schools such as Massachusettes Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University School of Engineering, and School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
• 55% of the class enrolled at colleges recognized as “most competitive,” accepting 33% or fewer of applicants. • 71 students took a total of 312 Advanced Placement exams. Westridge students scored the top scores of 5 or 4 on 54% of AP exams. (Nationally, 34% of scores are 5 or 4.) On 25% of AP exams taken, Westridge students scored the highest score of 5. • The Class of 2012 included nine seniors taking the Research in Science class who were placed with professional researchers at Caltech to pursue independent inquiry and laboratory work.
class of 2012
55%
of the class enrolled at colleges recognized as “most competitive” (schools accepting 33% or fewer of applicants)
I know I am wiser, kinder, more understanding, and more curious than I was before I considered Westridge a second home. I feel so incredibly lucky to call myself a Westridge girl, and now, a Westridge graduate. — Josie Ahrens ’10, Macalester College
Class of 2012 earned
409 158 acceptances to
colleges or universities
Westridge School’s college admission and enrollment The 71 members of the Class of 2012 earned 409 acceptances to 158 different colleges and universities in 35 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Scotland, and the United Kingdom with 845 submissions to 215 colleges. One hundred percent of the Class of 2012 were admitted to four year colleges and universities. They will attend 51 different colleges in 19 states and the District of Columbia. In the past six years, Westridge graduates have been admitted to numerous institutions, including: (Names in bold indicate where students in the past six years have enrolled.) The University of Alabama Allegheny College American University Amherst College Bard College Barnard College Bates College Baylor University Beloit College Bennington College Bentley University Berklee College of Music Boston College Boston Conservatory Boston University Bowdoin College Brandeis University University of British Columbia Brown University Bryn Mawr College Bucknell University University of California Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz California Institute of Technology California Institute of the Arts California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Pomona, Channel Islands California State University Chico, East Bay, Fullerton, Long Beach, Sacramento Carleton College Carnegie Mellon University Centre College Chapman University University of Chicago Claremont McKenna College Clark University Colby College Colgate University College of the Holy Cross University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver
Colorado College Columbia University Connecticut College Cornell University Dartmouth College Davidson College Denison University University of Denver DePaul University DePauw University Dickinson College Drew University Drexel University Duke University Elon University Emerson College Emory University Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts Fairfield University Florida Institute of Technology Fordham University Franklin and Marshall College Furman University George Mason University The George Washington University Georgetown University Gettysburg College Gordon College Goucher College Grinnell College Hamilton College (NY) Hampshire College Harvard University Harvey Mudd College Haverford College Howard University Indiana University at Bloomington Institut Catholique de Paris (France) The University of Iowa Ithaca College Johns Hopkins University Juniata College Kalamazoo College Kenyon College
University of La Verne Lafayette College Lake Forest College Lawrence University Lehigh University Lewis & Clark College Loyola Marymount University Macalester College Manhattan College University of Maryland, College Park Maryland Institute College of Art Marymount College University of Massachusetts, Amherst Massachusetts Institute of Technology McGill University (Canada) Miami University, Oxford University of Miami University of Michigan Middlebury College Mills College University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Mount Holyoke College New England Conservatory of Music New York University Northeastern University Northwestern University University of Notre Dame Oberlin College Occidental College Ohio Wesleyan University University of Oregon Oregon State University Otis College of Art and Design University of the Pacific Université Paris—Sorbonne (France) Parsons School of Design, New School University University of Pennsylvania Pepperdine University University of Pittsburgh Pitzer College Pomona College University of Portland Princeton University University of Puget Sound
Purchase College Purdue University University of Redlands Reed College Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhode Island School of Design Rhodes College Rice University University of Richmond University of Rochester Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey at New Brunswick Saint Louis University University of San Diego San Diego State University University of San Francisco San Francisco State University Santa Clara University Sarah Lawrence College Savannah College of Art and Design School of the Art Institute of Chicago School of the Museum of Fine Arts Scripps College Sewanee: The University of the South Siena College Skidmore College Smith College University of Southern California Southern Methodist University Southwestern University Spelman College University of St. Andrews (Scotland) St. Olaf College Stanford University Swarthmore College Syracuse University The University of Texas, Austin Texas Christian University Texas State University — San Marcos University of Toronto Trinity College (CT) Trinity University (TX) Tufts University Tulane University United States Air Force Academy United States Military Academy United States Naval Academy Vanderbilt University Vassar College University of Vermont Villanova University University of Washington Washington University in St. Louis Wellesley College Wesleyan University Wheaton College (IL) Whitman College Willamette University Williams College University of Wisconsin, Madison Xavier University of Louisiana Yale University
Over the past six years
58%
of Westridge graduates have enrolled at “most competitive” colleges (schools accepting 33% or fewer of applicants)
Westridge graduates continue to perform with academic distinction in college, such as USC Class of 2011 Valedictorian Sarah Shahawy ’07 and 2012 Rhodes Scholar Carrie Ryan ’08.
Over the past six years
76
offers of admission were made by Ivy League schools and Stanford to Westridge students
westri d ge school 324 Madeline Drive Pasadena, California 91105 626.799.1153 www.westridge.org
accreditation Western Association of Schools and Colleges California Association of Independent Schools
memberships National Association of Independent Schools California Association of Independent Schools The College Board National Association for College Admission Counseling Western Association for College Admission Counseling A Better Chance, Inc. Cum Laude Society National Coalition of Girls’ Schools Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education Independent School Alliance for Minority Affairs National Association of Principals for Girls Schools
Visit www.westridge.org to learn more about Westridge School.