It seems that most of the discussion threads regarding Westover are dated, so I thought I would start a new one. Our daughter has been accepted as a sophomore for Fall 2016. She also applied to Phillips Academy (Andover), but is waitlisted. We live on the West coast and are trying to decide if Westover is worth the expense ($54K/year) and the distance. Our daughter is also uncertain about going to an all girls school (even though she hangs out with her girlfriends exclusively - go figure!). She is attending a mediocre local public school , which is why we investigated private schools. My husband is a Phillips grad, his sister a Westover grad, but we are talking 30+ years ago! If she had gotten into Phillips we would happily pay the price and deal with the distance. Is Westover equally worth it? Thoughts? Opinions? Thank you!
I am tagging @cameo43
Also here are some reviews to check;
http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/westover-school-profile
https://k12.niche.com/westover-school-middlebury-town-ct/
Sorry, I don’t go there, but was accepted as a new 9th grader. I am waiting for revisit days to decide, but there was something about the place when I visited and interviewed that I just really loved. I kind of applied to seemingly different schools, but there was something in each that really drew me. I knew the academics would still be good and the sports I would like to do. I also was not opposed to all girls as I think it would be freeing to not have boys around all the time, even though I have many good friends that are boys. I actually go to an all girls middle school right now (5-8th) and I will tell you that being in an all female environment can be so very awesome. Girls are just so themselves, and the comradarie is really good, and we all fill all the roles - a lot of times that are taken by boys - like the class clown or leadership positions and stuff like that. So I know when I go to college or in the workforce, I’m just used to being myself and being awesome that I won’t question going into that role.
@coastsideMom: My D is a Westover junior. We looked at ten schools and Westover was a last-minute addition. I had discounted it at first because I thought it would be too small. D chose it over the other schools she was admitted to, (much to my surprise, since she initially wanted a coed school… she likes boys a lot!). She LOVES the fact that she doesn’t have to dress to impress boys, and there is no gossiping/competing for boys’ attention. It doesn’t seem too small – in fact, the facilities are terrific. For her, it’s the perfect size, but it’s certainly way smaller than Andover! It has absolutely been the perfect fit for her. We both have had our expectations exceeded again and again. I have a friend who is an alum, and her D is a junior there as well. There are a bunch of legacy/sibling girls there…
Faculty is so caring and conferencing is built into their regular schedules. I truly feel that the education my kid is getting is first-rate, and that includes ‘outside the classroom’ as well. The faculty, coaches, and dorm parents are great mentors. The academics are rigorous and have challenged my kid – she is taking Honors and AP classes and working very hard to get solid grades. She loves the school traditions (tell your sister-in-law that they haven’t changed!).
My D is doing the WISE pre-engineering program, is a singer, and became an athlete at Westover. She is currently taking the College Seminar which is a great prep program put together by the college counseling staff, covering everything from putting together an initial college list, to the application, essays and interviews. There are a couple of faculty members of a “top brand name” school on the Westover parent council… their child wanted an all-girls school, and they have been very happy with her experience. It’s a wonderful school for writers, artists, theater and dance kids, too. We are so glad she chose Westover. Feel free to PM me with specific questions.
PS - For a very small school, Westover has an extraordinary number of exchange students (and exchange programs) and students from around the world… my kid has made new friends from Russia, France, Afghanistan, Rwanda, Somalia, Australia, Germany, Asia, etc etc. I love the change in her worldview… had she stayed home, she would have been in school with the same 50 kids from the same five mile radius.
There are some big changes afoot with the new master plan… expansion of facilities, etc. The new Head of School is bringing lots of great energy and new ideas, and she is very fun to talk with. She came to Westover last year from Walnut Hill.
@catinthehat579: Somehow I missed your post – Congrats on being admitted to Westover! You are absolutely right… when we visited, too, we felt that there was “just something about it…” that was so special. The girls are lovely; it’s a warm, welcoming community. Midway through our revisit, my kid said “These are my people! I know this is the school for me.” I’m glad you liked it, too!
Westover is another school to which the students and families seem to have an especially strong loyalty. That says so much to me. If Westover puts a pool on campus, more than a few younger girls on our team who are interested in boarding schools would def apply–every time one of the girls in our cohort went to Middlebury, CT for a tour and interview, they came back impressed and excited, but the off-campus swimming situation usually pushed Westover down the list. Still the fact that Westover has endeavored to add swimming and crew to their athletic programs in the last five or six years says much about Westover’s focus on the future of the school.
Westover’s rep in the boarding school pocket universe is fabulous as well.
If Andover was worth it, I would say Westover is worth it. That’s why you applied, right? Are you able to revisit?
I visited Westover on a random November day and got to meet and ask questions of visiting Tibetan monks. My interviewer was incredibly kind, as were the girls in the class I visited (I sat next to @cameo43 's daughter).
I was accepted without financial aid, and since tuition is 3x my family income, they obviously knew I couldn’t attend. I have so much respect for them –admitting me to show there was nothing I could have done better. When I contacted the office, they told me just that.
Jump on this opportunity.