w e s t r i d g e s c h ool 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.
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. 1
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Founded in 1913, Westridge School is a 100-year old independent day school for collegebound girls, grades 4 through 12, located in Pasadena, California. Since 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 and Middle 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 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 in celebrating 100 years of educating creative, informed, articulate girls. Be a part of the school’s next century of excellence. 3
enrollment Enrollment includes 66 percent from the independent school sector and 34 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
482 85 133 264 72 15 7:1
diversity The school’s commitment to cultural diversity is reflected in its 48 percent ethnicity enrollment. Socio-economic diversity is significantly supported through the $2.8 million of financial assistance that was awarded in 2013-2014.
tuition & tuition assistance Tuition for 2013-2014: $25,700 (grades 4 through 6) $30,800 (grades 7 and 8) $31,300 (grades 9 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. 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.
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97%
retention rate for grades 4 through 12
15 7:1
average class size
student / teacher ratio
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
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experienced faculty Well over half of the Westridge faculty and lead administration bring 10 or more years of teaching experience to the classroom, including two-thirds with advanced degrees, of whom seven hold doctoral degrees.
academic offerings In Middle and Upper School, Westridge offers more than 165 different courses, which include 15 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 Friends In Deed, Mother’s Club, Union Station, and the Pasadena Humane Society.
scholastic achievement The Class of 2013 included four National Merit Scholarship Finalists, four Semi-Finalists, and 11 Commended Students. The “National Achievement Program Outstanding Participants Referred to Colleges” award, “National Achievement Scholarship Competition” award, and the National Hispanic Recognition Program Award were each earned by individuals in the Class of 2013. Over the past six years, 22 Westridge students have been finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
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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. The program and class structure is designed so that each student finds balance and depth in core subjects as well as electives and advanced courses of study, allowing each girl to thrive within her areas of interest and strength.
technology Technology offers compelling educational opportunities that can transform teaching and learning. Westridge promotes a learning environment where educators seek to enhance teaching and student learning through the use of contemporary technologies and digital resources. Equipped with more than 700 computers to serve students and teachers on campus, the school’s 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.
“I guess that Westridge education is paying off...” Blog post by Sammy (11th Grade) about her summer 2013 internship at Pasadena-based software company Bluebeam Maria, my supervisor who also happens to be the university outreach and recruitment coordinator, is starting a recruitment blog and asked us interns to write a few posts for her. So, naturally, I just sat down and wrote a 500 word post... I did this in about 30 minutes. As I was writing, the other interns started complaining about how hard it was to write their posts. Seeing as how I could probably write a 500 word paper (about 1.5 pages) in my sleep, I really didn’t understand why this was so difficult for them... Last year [at Westridge], I wrote short essays of about the same length pretty much every time I had English, AND those essays were much more structured /analytic, so writing a blog post about how much I love Bluebeam was a piece of cake. Mom and Dad have always told me that this would happen, but actually experiencing it is a whole different story. Needless to say, today brought a new perspective on just how good my teachers are at Westridge. 7
distinction in humanities Humanities at Westridge provides a strong foundation for each student’s progression in effective oral and written communication. Through English courses and cultural studies that emphasize the importance of context, making connections, and critical thinking, students are taught to read, write, and research thoughtfully and analytically. Year after year, Westridge alumnae resoundingly report how incredibly advanced their writing skills are compared to college peers, and the advantage at which it places them regardless of their specific fields of study.
strength in sciences Westridge is committed to empowering girls in the sciences. The curriculum provides instruction in a wide variety of natural sciences. All courses are analytical and laboratory based with experimentation designed to complement lecture material and to develop skills in techniques, analysis, and equipment use. The school’s Research in Science elective provides students with hands-on opportunities at universities and research institutions near campus such as California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Occidental College, and Children’s Hospital. In the past four years, 20 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. 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.
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20
students researchers in the past four years placed in professional labs at institutions such as
Caltech & Children’s Hospital Research in Science topics have included: computational biology • physical and occupational therapy • particle astrophysics • cellular biology • environmental geology
15 8 AP Courses
Honors Courses
Art History • Biology •
Algebra II & Trigonometry
Calculus AB & BC • Chemistry •
Chemistry
Chinese • English Literature •
English III
Environmental Science •
Latin V
European History • Latin; Vergil •
Physics
Physics C • Spanish Language •
Pre-Calculus
Statistics • Studio Art •
Spanish IV
U.S. History
U.S. History
1 3 in
Westridge students receive financial aid
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performing & visual arts opportunities Westridge is widely recognized for excellence in the performing arts: theatre, dance, and choral and instrumental music. Westridge Theatre stages three Upper School plays each year, including a musical and a black box production. An 8th Grade play in the spring rounds out the theatre season. In addition to performing, students have the opportunity to learn all aspects of technical theatre including directing, stage management, 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 arts at Westridge aim to refine students’ knowledge and implementation of formal art concepts such as line, pattern, volume, balance, positive and negative space, texture, color, and symmetry. A wide variety of courses are offered including drawing, painting, ceramics, digitial media, and photography. 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.
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22
National Merit Scholarship finalists in the past six years
In fall 2013, Westridge was selected as the host school for the regional events of
Brown university
university of
Chicago Georgetown
university
university of
Pennsylvania
2/3 of Westridge faculty hold advanced degrees, including seven who hold doctoral degrees
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athletic program Westridge boasts a winning tradition in athletics. In the past decade, honors have included 11 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.
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11
Prep League Championships in 10 years Basketball (2) • Swimming (4) • Tennis (2) • Track & Field (1) • Volleyball (1) • Water Polo (1)
more than
100
student leadership roles in a variety of areas modeled by girls, for girls
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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
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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 14
historic campus For one-hundred years, Westridge has thrived in the location of its founding at 324 Madeline Drive. The school’s architecture spans over a century — for all these years, the elegant structures have remained inseparable from the school’s identity. 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 in 2010, 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.
community support & philanthropy Westridge was established 100 years ago as the result of community foresight, support, and generosity. The school thrives in the location of its founding because that same tradition of philanthropy has continued throughout its history. Together, the parent and alumnae communities, along with the board of trustees, faculty and staff, past parents, grandparents, and friends, provide strong support for the Westridge Annual Fund. As the only annual fundraiser at Westridge, the Annual Fund contributes six percent of the yearly operating budget and supports the outstanding teaching, innovative programming, and experiential learning that defines each student’s daily Westridge experience. 15
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 (Human Development in grades 9 and 10, The College Process in grades 11 and 12). Each senior from the Classes of 2014 and 2015 is required to complete 40 hours of community service and a Senior Project, an important piece of independent work that is investigated in a concentrated, thorough manner. Beginning with the Class of 2016, these requirements will transition to a Community Action Project with the same independent study structure, but focused on demonstrating how each student’s personal interests and passions can set the stage for deep learning and service to others. The Community Action Project will merge the formerly separate graduation requirements of community service and the Senior Project. 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 130 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. 16
academic profile Cumulative median GPAs and test scores: 2011 2012 2013 Class size 65 71 67 GPA 3.628 3.564 3.610 Verbal 600-690* 610-720* 590-720* Math 580-680* 580-690* 610-700* Writing 620-720* 640-760* 620-740* * mid-50% range
advanced placement Honors and Advanced Placement courses are offered in a variety of disciplines. Advanced Placement
Honors
Art History Biology Calculus AB Calculus BC Chemistry Chinese English Literature Environmental Science European History Latin; Vergil Physics C Spanish Language Statistics Studio Art U.S. History
Algebra II & Trigonometry Chemistry English III Latin V Physics 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
As the Brown University admission representative for Westridge, it has been a pleasure for me to meet these confident, smart, and utterly poised young women who all seem to have a deep affection for their school and a strong streak of intellectual curiosity. They have been instilled with independence and with a desire to explore and improve the world around them. Westridge students are well prepared for intellectual challenges, and each time I visit the school, I am impressed by their warmth, their curiosity, and their thoughtfulness. — Natasha Go Brown University Assistant Director of Admission Office of College Admission 17
100% of the Class of 2013 accepted to four-year colleges & universities
94%
of the Class of 2013 earned a score of 3 or higher on one or more AP Exams taken
67 167
Class of 2013 students (100%) took a combined total of
Advanced Placement Exams 18
Class of 2013 earned
319 144 acceptances to
colleges or universities
95% of the Class of 2013
who applied early action gained acceptance
USC has accepted
103
Westridge seniors over the past six years
In that time span, USC accepted 55% of Westridge applicants, compared to their 20% nationwide acceptance rate.
60%
over
of the Class of 2013 earned merit scholarships;
3
students earned
full merit scholarships to private institutions
96
offers of admission were made by
Ivy League schools, Stanford, Caltech, MIT, and University of Chicago to Westridge students over the past six years
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Westridge School’s college admission and enrollment The 67 members of the Class of 2013 earned 319 acceptances to 144 different colleges and universities in 31 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, with 891 submissions to 178 colleges. One hundred percent of the Class of 2013 were admitted to four year colleges and universities. They will attend 51 different colleges in 24 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. 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 the Arts California Institute of Technology California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Pomona, Channel Islands California State University Chico, Fullerton, Long Beach, Monterey Bay, Sacramento Carleton College Carnegie Mellon University 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 20
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 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 Kenyon College University of La Verne Lafayette College
Lake Forest College Lawrence University Lehigh University Lewis & Clark College Loyola Marymount University Loyola University New Orleans Macalester College Marist College University of Maryland, College Park Maryland Institute College of Art Marymount California University Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Massachusetts, Amherst McGill University (Canada) Miami University, Oxford University of Miami University of Michigan Middlebury College Mills College University of Minnesota, Twin Cities 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