Westridge is an independent school for girls in grades 4-12 committed to educating intellectually adventurous thinkers and courageous, compassionate leaders. Immersed in an environment designed specifically for girls, our students are free to dive deep into learning and discover their voices. They are empowered as students and young women who are comfortable being themselves, making themselves heard and jumping headfirst into making a mark on this world.
Curriculum
The Westridge curriculum balances challenging academics and leadership development with a priority on social emotional learning (SEL). Research confirms SEL is critical to both personal development and achieving academic excellence.
Signature programs at Westridge include:
- Research in Science, which places Upper School students in working laboratories including at CalTech, the Carnegie Observatories and City of Hope;
- Perspectives in Literature, an interdisciplinary Upper School course and student literature conference;
- an interdisciplinary humanities programs in grades 6-8;
- a comprehensive 4-12 human development program;
- a four-year Upper School Community Action Project, and
- a Global Fellow transcript distinction option.
The Lower School program includes art and project-based science classes that meet every other day, P.E. every day, vocal and instrumental music (strings) and Spanish.
Westridge’s core values are integrity, respect, responsibility and inclusion. Its current strategic plan focuses on student well-being and social emotional development; academic excellence and innovation; diversity, equity, inclusion and justice; and leadership and agency.
New Head of School: Andrea Kassar
This summer, Westridge welcomed its 12th head of school, Andrea Kassar, who brings more than 20 years of experience in teaching and administration at girls’ schools. Most recently, she led the Upper School at the Nightingale-Bamford School in Manhattan.
“The moment I began to speak to members of the Westridge community it became clear to me that Westridge’s vision and mission are my own, as an educator, as a school leader, as a woman, and as a human being,” Kassar said. “Education moves us forward and I believe that this sense of forward movement is most palpable, meaningful and crucial in girls’ schools … it is certainly powerful at Westridge. I am thrilled and honored to be here.”
New Programs for 2022-2023
In an exciting program evolution, this fall Westridge introduces its first Westridge Advanced Courses. These classes are designed to be more inquiry-based, demand more sophisticated, independent thinking, and integrate more student research projects and interdisciplinary studies than possible within AP courses. More information is available at westridge.org/advancedcourses.
Also new is the STEAMWork Outdoor Experiential Learning Site, an annex to the school’s STEAMWork Design Studio engineering lab. The site is a space for students to build scalable solutions to pressing issues of climate change, food security, energy, and sustainable design.
Admission Open House: Saturday, Oct. 22
Speak with Westridge teachers, students and parents on Oct. 22 from 1-4 p.m. Register online at westridge.org/visit or scan the QR code below. A virtual tour is available at westridge.org/virtualtour.
Westridge School
Head of School: Andrea Kassar
324 Madeline Drive
Pasadena 91105
(626) 799-1153
