<p>Hi, I live in New York and will be moving to Los Angeles this summer. I will be attending this school in the fall. I'm curious, as I know practically nothing about this school except the name...which sounds pretty good. Does anyone go here and if so how is it, how are the kids, and what does the campus look like, pictures would be great. Thanks!</p>
<p>I'm a parent, but I've seen Harvard-Westlake (both campuses) from the outside. They're both beautiful, particularly the middle school, which is in an extremely nice part of L.A. (Bel Air). I've heard from other parents that the school is very good and rigorous, with lots of opportunities in the way of courses and extracurriculars. It has an outstanding reputation with colleges--along with Polytechnic, it is probably the top coed day school in the L.A. area. Several parents, though, have commented that there is a sizable entertainment industry influence there (which, to be fair, may be the case at other leading prep schools in the L.A. area too), and that it can be hard on even upper-middle class kids to be around other kids whose parents are so exceedingly wealthy.</p>
<p>I go to this school. It's pretty awesome. Too bad I'm graduating this year and will miss you. </p>
<p>Don't freak out about not getting straight As or whatever, though, because ... well, nobody gets straight As. haha. </p>
<p>Did you come to family visiting days for admissions? If so, I might've run into you because I was working as an admissions guy.</p>
<p>By the way, the best part is definitely the "opportunities" ... as in, you can do pretty much anything, including w/in the infrastructure of the school/business office, if you can manage it. There's just a crapload of stuff to do or that can be done. Classwise and sports and club or whatever.</p>
<p>[Wait, why did you apply and then commit if you know nothing about the school?]</p>
<p>hmm, well ive heard that their fencing program's pretty good. but then again theyve got the LA int'l fencing center there. ^_^ but yeah, have heard alot of good things about taht school- just dont get caught up in haves/have nots maybe? :)</p>
<p>Extremely good debate program.</p>
<p>Its an amazing school. Personally, I think you have nothing to lose by going there. I've heard that the students are really great and friendly, the academic system is great, and its just perfect. The only concern that I would have about attending HW is leaving all your friends who are going to public schools. Fortunately, you don't have to worry about that. I do, which sucks... and i have to make the decision by today.</p>
<p>Its great. You shouldn'nt let a great chance like that pass you by! ITs one of the top three schools in the nation!!!!</p>
<p>I don't know a ton about it, but my cousin went there and I know she always loved it. She's at Harvard now and she says the high school REALLY made her feel prepared for college.</p>
<p>Just reading a book on college admissions called THE GATEKEEPERS by Jacques Steinberg and they mention Harvard-Westlake as the premier day school in California with great college admissions and a very rigorous curriculum. Seems top notch. Good luck!</p>
<p>Did you live in NYC? Harvard Westlake is pretty much a west coast version of Dalton through Harvard has better sports.</p>