westridge snapshot 2012-2013
DESCRIPTION
An at-a-glance look at the highlights of Westridge School for Girls in Pasadena, Los Angeles, California.TRANSCRIPT
2012–2013 s n a p s h o t
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.
Historical statement
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
statement of PurPose
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 learn-
ing, 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 inde-
pendently, work collaboratively, and
trust their own judgment.
As a school for girls, Westridge de-
velops in students their confidence,
creativity, and intellectual potential in
a learning environment where leader-
ship, 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 480Lower School enrollment 92Middle School enrollment 132Upper School enrollment 256Senior class 67Average class size 14Student/faculty ratio 6:1
diversityThe 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 assistanceTuition 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 socio-economic 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 Cañada-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.
afterschool care is included in tuition
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
97%retention rate for
grades 4 through 12
experienced facultyTwo-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 offeringsIn 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 developmentThere 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 achievementThe Class of 2012 included three National Merit Scholarship Finalists, three Semi-Final-ists, 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.
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
class structureWestridge operates on a rotational, or block, schedule allowing longer classroom conversa-tions 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.
technologyWestridge 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 mul-timedia 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 ap-plications, 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.
8Honors Courses
Algebra II & Trigonometry
Cellular & Molecular Biology
Chemistry
English III
Latin V
Pre-Calculus
Spanish IV
U.S. History
13AP Courses
Art History • Calculus AB & BC •
Chemistry • English Literature •
Environmental Science •
European History • Latin; Vergil •
Physics C • Spanish Language •
Statistics • Studio Art •
U.S. History
14average class size
6:1student / teacher ratio
strength in sciencesWestridge 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 cer-tified 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 stu-dents 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 oppor-tunities at universities and research institutions near campus, including the Califor-nia Institute of Technology (Caltech).
In 2012-2013, seven seniors have been placed with scientists at Caltech and Chil-dren’s Hospital, performing research in computational biology, physical and occu-pational therapy, particle astrophysics, cellular biology, and environmental geology.
I love science.
We do so many hands-on projects and we learn a lot.
— Juliana, 5th Grade
7Research 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
1 in 3Westridge students receive financial aid
opportunities in performing artsWestridge is widely recognized for excellence in the performing arts: theatre, dance, and choral and instrumental music. Westridge Theatre stages several pro-ductions 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 per-form in New York at Carnegie Hall, Hawaii, and Japan. The annual dance concert showcases student talent from several genres of dance, including hip-hop, mod-ern 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 Gal-lery exhibition space. Westridge visual arts students are supported with a ceramics studio with on-site kiln, two drawing and painting studios, a multimedia photogra-phy 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.
I would not be exaggerating
to say that I owe both my
professional career and my
personal development
to Westridge.
— Sigrid Burton ’69, Artist
2/3of Westridge faculty
hold advanced degrees, including five who hold
doctoral degrees
22National Merit
Scholarship finalists in the past six years
athletic programWestridge boasts a winning tradition in athletics. In the past decade, honors have includ-ed 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 Athlet-ics. 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.
10Prep League Championships
in 10 yearsBasketball (2) • Swimming (4) • Tennis (1) •
Track & Field (1) • Volleyball (1) • Water Polo (1)
3Westridge Olympians
anne Kursinski ’76, equestrian1988 Olympics, Seoul | Silver Medal
1992 Olympics, Barcelona1996 Olympics, Atlanta | Silver Medal
inger miller ’90, track and field1996 Olympics, Atlanta | Gold Medal
erica wu ’14, table tennis2012 Olympics, London
more than
100student leadership roles
in a variety of areasmodeled by girls, for girls
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, gather-ing 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 campusThe 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 ar-eas, 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 communityParents are key stakeholders in the success of Westridge. The school provides support and encourage-ment for parents to serve as partners in their daughters’ education and continually seeks meaning-ful 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 familyMore 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 re-cently 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 ac-tion, 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 requirements4 years of English3 years of mathematics3 years of history3 years of one foreign language3 years of science3 years of physical education/athletics1 year of art1 year of music
All students are required to take a seminar course each year on a pass/fail basis. Each senior is required to com-plete 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, con-nection, reflection, and responsibility, is required for graduation. The program strives to deepen students’ aware-ness 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 addi-tion, 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 ap-plication process and transition to college.
academic profile Cumulative median GPAs and test scores: 2010 2011 2012Class size 74 65 71GPA 3.564 3.628 3.564Verbal 630-710* 600-690* 610-720*Math 580-680* 580-680* 580-690*Writing 640-730* 620-720* 640-760*
* mid-50% range
advanced placementHonors and Advanced Placement courses are offered in a variety of disciplines.
advanced Placement
Art HistoryCalculus AB Calculus BCChemistryEnglish LiteratureEnvironmental ScienceEuropean HistoryLatin; VergilPhysics CSpanish LanguageStatistics Studio ArtU.S. History
Honors
Algebra II & TrigonometryCellular & Molecular Biology ChemistryEnglish IIILatin VPre-Calculus Spanish IVU.S. History
BasketballCross CountryEquestrianGolfLacrosseSoccer
SoftballSwimming and DivingTennisTrack and FieldVolleyballWater Polo
upper schoolathletic teams
CLASS Of 2012
71seniors took
312Advanced Placement Exams
Class of 2012 earned the
highest score of 5 on
25%of AP Exams taken
100%of the Class of 2012
accepted to four-yearcolleges & 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 ex-ams. (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 sci-ence class who were placed with professional researchers at caltech to pursue independent inquiry and laboratory work.
I know I am wiser, kinder, more understanding, and more curi-ous 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
55%of the class enrolled at colleges recognized as
“most competitive”(schools accepting 33% or fewer of applicants)
Class of 2012 earned
409acceptances to
158colleges or universities
Westridge School’s college admission and enrollmentThe 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 AlabamaAllegheny CollegeAmerican UniversityAmherst CollegeBard CollegeBarnard CollegeBates CollegeBaylor UniversityBeloit CollegeBennington CollegeBentley UniversityBerklee College of MusicBoston CollegeBoston ConservatoryBoston UniversityBowdoin CollegeBrandeis UniversityUniversity of British ColumbiaBrown UniversityBryn Mawr CollegeBucknell UniversityUniversity of California Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz California Institute of TechnologyCalifornia Institute of the ArtsCalifornia Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Pomona, Channel IslandsCalifornia State University Chico, East Bay, Fullerton, Long Beach, SacramentoCarleton CollegeCarnegie Mellon UniversityCentre CollegeChapman UniversityUniversity of ChicagoClaremont McKenna CollegeClark UniversityColby CollegeColgate UniversityCollege of the Holy CrossUniversity of Colorado Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver
Colorado CollegeColumbia UniversityConnecticut CollegeCornell UniversityDartmouth CollegeDavidson CollegeDenison UniversityUniversity of DenverDePaul UniversityDePauw UniversityDickinson CollegeDrew UniversityDrexel UniversityDuke UniversityElon UniversityEmerson CollegeEmory UniversityEugene Lang College The New School for Liberal ArtsFairfield UniversityFlorida Institute of TechnologyFordham UniversityFranklin and Marshall CollegeFurman UniversityGeorge Mason University The George Washington UniversityGeorgetown UniversityGettysburg CollegeGordon CollegeGoucher CollegeGrinnell CollegeHamilton College (NY)Hampshire CollegeHarvard UniversityHarvey Mudd CollegeHaverford CollegeHoward UniversityIndiana University at BloomingtonInstitut Catholique de Paris (France)The University of IowaIthaca CollegeJohns Hopkins UniversityJuniata CollegeKalamazoo CollegeKenyon College
University of La VerneLafayette CollegeLake Forest CollegeLawrence UniversityLehigh UniversityLewis & Clark CollegeLoyola Marymount UniversityMacalester CollegeManhattan CollegeUniversity of Maryland, College ParkMaryland Institute College of ArtMarymount CollegeUniversity of Massachusetts, AmherstMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMcGill University (Canada)Miami University, OxfordUniversity of MiamiUniversity of MichiganMiddlebury CollegeMills CollegeUniversity of Minnesota, Twin CitiesMount Holyoke CollegeNew England Conservatory of MusicNew York UniversityNortheastern UniversityNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Notre DameOberlin CollegeOccidental CollegeOhio Wesleyan UniversityUniversity of OregonOregon State UniversityOtis College of Art and DesignUniversity of the PacificUniversité Paris—Sorbonne (France)Parsons School of Design, New School UniversityUniversity of PennsylvaniaPepperdine UniversityUniversity of PittsburghPitzer CollegePomona CollegeUniversity of PortlandPrinceton UniversityUniversity of Puget Sound
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
58%of Westridge graduates have enrolled at “most competitive” colleges
(schools accepting 33% or fewer of applicants)
Over the past six years
76offers of admission were
made by Ivy League schools and Stanford
to Westridge students
Purchase CollegePurdue UniversityUniversity of RedlandsReed CollegeRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteRhode Island School of DesignRhodes CollegeRice UniversityUniversity of RichmondUniversity of RochesterRutgers, The State University of New Jersey at New BrunswickSaint Louis UniversityUniversity of San DiegoSan Diego State UniversityUniversity of San FranciscoSan Francisco State UniversitySanta Clara UniversitySarah Lawrence CollegeSavannah College of Art and DesignSchool of the Art Institute of ChicagoSchool of the Museum of Fine ArtsScripps CollegeSewanee: The University of the SouthSiena CollegeSkidmore CollegeSmith CollegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaSouthern Methodist UniversitySouthwestern UniversitySpelman CollegeUniversity of St. Andrews (Scotland) St. Olaf CollegeStanford UniversitySwarthmore CollegeSyracuse UniversityThe University of Texas, AustinTexas Christian UniversityTexas State University — San MarcosUniversity of TorontoTrinity College (CT)Trinity University (TX)Tufts UniversityTulane UniversityUnited States Air Force AcademyUnited States Military AcademyUnited States Naval AcademyVanderbilt UniversityVassar CollegeUniversity of VermontVillanova UniversityUniversity of WashingtonWashington University in St. LouisWellesley CollegeWesleyan UniversityWheaton College (IL)Whitman CollegeWillamette UniversityWilliams CollegeUniversity of Wisconsin, MadisonXavier University of LouisianaYale University
W E S T R I d G E S C H O O L
324 Madeline Drive
Pasadena, California 91105
626.799.1153
www.westridge.org
accreditation Western Association of Schools and Colleges
California Association of Independent Schools
membershipsNational 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.