Harvard-Westlake School

Focus

Character and the pursuit of excellence

Day fees 2025/26

$52,500

Term dates

• Term 1: 25 August to 19 December 2025
• Term 2: 5 January to 3 June 2026

Ages

11-18

Pupil count

1,627

Spear’s Review

An independent school for students in grades 7–12, Harvard-Westlake is the result of the 1991 merger of the Harvard School (for boys), founded in 1900, and the Westlake School for Girls, established in 1904. 

Built upon the four guiding principles of community, excellence, integrity and purpose, the school encourages each student to grow not only within themselves but as part of a wider community.

Given its location near Hollywood, it’s no surprise that there is a long list of notable alumni from stage and screen – from Shirley Temple to Jake Gyllenhaal – and a focus on the arts alongside academics. Each year the school hosts its own film festival, and students can join clubs such as slam poetry, comedy and song writing.

Academics

In 2025:

• Average SAT score was 1443
• Average ACT score was 32 
• 84 per cent of AP exams scored 4 or 5; 97 per cent scored 3 and above

University and college destinations

An impressive 44 students from the class of 2025 accepted places at Ivy League universities, making up 14 per cent of that year’s cohort.

Head teacher

Laura D. Ross was appointed Harvard-Westlake head of school in 2023 after six years at the school, including as associate head and upper school head. Prior to joining Harvard-Westlake, Ross held a variety of roles in education, including college counsellor, college admissions officer, soccer coach, teacher of meditation, social ethics and world religions, and dorm parent in a boarding school. She has a BA in religion from Wesleyan University and a master’s in educational administration and student affairs from Stanford University.

Admissions

According to the school, the main points of entry for the school are grades 7 and 9; students applying to grades 11 and 12 are generally only considered if they are relocating to Los Angeles with their families. Alongside the standard application, interview, recommendations, academic records and tests (students are required to take the Independent School Entrance Exam), Harvard-Westlake requires all prospective students to complete a questionnaire, which is an opportunity for them to express their interests and hobbies prior to meeting with staff.

Notable alumni

• Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal (actors)
• J. Paul Getty (businessman)
• Candice Bergen (actor)
• Sally Ride (astronaut)

Accessibility

Los Angeles International Airport: 30 minutes

Location

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