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| Below are all the Frequently Asked Questions available to you. If these do not answer your question, click here to ask your question.
Daily Life FAQs Admission FAQs Financial Aid FAQs
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| 1. Who attends school on the Middle School campus? |
| Students in grades 7-9 attend school on the Middle School campus located at 700 North Faring Road, tucked in to the neighborhood just north of Sunset and east Beverly Glen in Holmby Hills. (Students in grades 10-12 attend school on the Upper School campus in Studio City, just south of Ventura Boulevard on Coldwater Canyon Avenue.) |
| 2. What is the daily schedule? |
At the Middle School, school begins each day, Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m. On Monday, the school day ends at 3:15 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, the last class finishes at 3:05 p.m. There are nine periods scheduled each day, and each class is 40 minutes in length. In addition, there is a 30-minute assembly period each Monday when the entire Middle School community meets together. Often, this time is used to showcase student talent or bring an outside speaker/performer to campus. On Tuesdays through Fridays, students have a 25-minute activity period, during which many clubs meet. Clubs range from more academic ones such as MathCounts, Mock Trial, or the Robotics club to special interest clubs such as the Chess, Sudoku, or Knitting Club.
At the Upper School, school begins each day Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m. On Monday, the school day ends at 3:10 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, the last class finishes at 2:35 p.m. |
| 3. Is bus transportation available? |
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Yes. Harvard–Westlake students arrive on campus from all over the Greater Los Angeles area through a daily bus service. All service is provided on a shared-cost, non-profit basis, and we serve all areas that generate ridership sufficient to cover costs. Current Middle School routes serve: Pacific Palisades, San Vicente/Sunset, Los Feliz/Hancock Park, Westchester/Ladera Heights/Cheviot Hills, West San Fernando Valley (Agoura/Calabasas), North San Fernando Valley (Chatsworth/Northridge), and East San Fernando Valley (Arcadia/Pasadena). Additional areas may be served if ridership interest warrants (40 needed to operate a route). Pick-up and drop-off points are located on major arteries to minimize total ride time. Riders have a choice of two afternoon buses each day; the early bus departs after classes and the late bus departs at the conclusion of most after-school sports and activities. Some interscholastic games and events may end later, and parents will have to make alternate transportation arrangements.
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| 4. How much homework do students get each night? |
| Harvard–Westlake has an agreement set forth by students, faculty and administrators that states Middle School students are allowed no more than 30–40 minutes of homework per academic subject per night depending on their grade. While a stated policy, not every teacher gives the maximum amount of homework every night. Students average 1 1 / 2 to 2 1/ 2 hours of homework per night, but most utilize their free periods during the day to complete their homework and meet with teachers, which minimizes their evening workload. |
| 5. How large are your classes? What type of personalized attention do you provide? |
| Harvard–Westlake School is larger than most independent schools in the area, with a total enrollment of 730 on the Middle School campus and 850 students on the Upper School campus. 7th and 8th grades have approximately 220 students per grade, and 9th through 12th grades have approximately 290 students each. While the size of each grade is large for an independent school, the number of students in each classroom is small, usually no more than 15–17. The student-teacher ratio is 8:1, and two deans are assigned to each grade in the Middle School. Deans help students both socially and behaviorally while serving as their advocate, encouraging communication between students, teachers and parents and ensuring that they never feel lost. In the Upper School, each student is individually assigned a dean, who will eventually serve as his/her college counselor.
Along with the diversity of the student body, the size of the school allows Harvard–Westlake to provide a range of academic, athletic, artistic, and extra-curricular opportunities. Students can select from an impressive array of subjects and activities which include 32 Advanced Placement courses, 95 teams in 28 different sports, over 60 clubs, and extensive artistic and community service opportunities perhaps only available at a school of our size. |
| 6. Do you have a library? |
| Yes. The Seeley G. Mudd Library’s extensive collection of approximately 17,000 volumes and 80 periodicals supports the curriculum and the academic work of all departments. The library’s automated catalog allows students to search for books in the collections of Harvard–Westlake’s Middle and Upper School libraries, as well as those of 15 other independent school libraries in Southern California (a total of over 250,000 volumes). Students are able to borrow materials from any of these schools throughinterlibrary loan. The library’s website provides access to the automated catalog as well as to online databases and periodicals, and students can search any one of the resources from the library, student computer labs, and from home.
More about the Middle School library
More about the Upper School library |
| 7. When and where do students eat lunch? |
| Lunch periods are not scheduled for students. Instead, students eat during one of their free periods . 7th and 8th graders are encouraged to use their free period after their Physical Education class to eat lunch. Students may bring their lunches or purchase hot food, sandwiches, salads, drinks and snacks at the cafeteria. The cafeteria is open from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Students purchase food with their ID cards, and charges are billed monthly to their parents. |
| 8. What does Harvard-Westlake do to help new students adjust to a new school? |
Harvard–Westlake hosts an optional summer program called Fast Start for all 7th graders and all new 9th graders during the last week of August, a week before school starts. About 95% of the students participate. During the program, students can set up their class schedules if they have not already done so, and they take mini-classes to get a feel of what a typical day would be like at Harvard–Westlake. Fast Start also serves as a great opportunity for new students to make friends, meet their classmates, teachers and deans, and become comfortable with the campus surroundings before the entire Middle School returns to campus.
Furthermore, during a week in October, each grade takes a week off from school to attend a class retreat. 7th graders visit local sites in and around Los Angeles and spend one night camping at a local campsite, 8th graders camp overnight at Pali Mountain, and 9th graders camp and canoe down the Colorado River. Retreats provide another opportunity for students to make friends and get to know teachers as well as encourage team building and class unity. |
| 9. What is a free period? |
| A free period is a period during which no class has been scheduled. The Middle School schedule follows a six-day cycle where academic classes—English, history, math, language, and science—meet on five days each cycle. The period when an academic class does not meet is called an X (free) Period. The X Period is first and foremost a learning period. During this time, students may be asked to meet with their teachers to work on projects or work in the library. Once academic responsibilities have been met, students may use their X Period as a time during which they may choose the activity in which they will engage.
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| 10. Is there a uniform or dress code? |
| Harvard–Westlake does not require its students to wear a uniform. There is an informal dress code to the extent that students are expected to be appropriately and neatly attired. Clothing must be clean, tidy, in good repair, and in good taste.
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| 11. Does Harvard-Westlake have any religious affiliation? |
| Harvard-Westlake is a nondenominational independent institution. There are both a Rabbi and Episcopal Chaplain on the faculty who are available to students. Both lead religious activities for interested students and faculty. |
| 12. Is admission to the Upper School guaranteed? |
| Although Harvard–Westlake has two separate campuses, we are one school. If a current Harvard–Westlake student’s academic and behavioral record is acceptable, he/she will automatically be enrolled in the Upper School.
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| 1. How many students are admitted to each grade? |
| 7th and 9th grades are the two main entry points into Harvard–Westlake. 220 spaces are available in the 7th grade, and approximately 75 new students are accepted into the 9th grade as we add to the class. We do not anticipate having any openings in the 8th grade for the 2008–2009 school year. Depending upon total school enrollment, between 10 and 15 students are admitted into the 10th grade. Applications for admission to the 11th and 12th grades are only considered in special circumstances, such as a student’s family moving from out of state or a foreign student’s participation in an official exchange program. |
| 2. From which schools do you choose most of your students? |
| Harvard–Westlake prides itself on the diversity of its student body. We seek to enroll students from a variety of schools and backgrounds. This past year, we offered places to students from nearly 110 different schools, including public, religious, independent, and foreign schools. |
| 3. How many applications do you receive? |
| The number varies from year to year, but we usually anticipate three to four applicants for each opening in the 7th grade and approximately four to five applicants for every 9th or 10th grade opening. |
| 4. How are students selected for admission? |
| Admission to Harvard–Westlake is competitive. We are looking for bright and active students who have the ability to contribute to the school community and have the potential to be successful and happy at Harvard–Westlake. We consider the following: the information given on the application; the student’s academic records, essay, and test scores; the teachers’ and school’s recommendations; the student’s talents, character, and leadership qualities; and information gathered during the interview at Harvard–Westlake.
Each applicant is reviewed by at least two faculty members and discussed by the Admission Committee, which is comprised of deans, school administrators, faculty and members of the admission staff. No one factor is weighted more than another as the Admission Committee considers whether an applicant is a good fit for Harvard–Westlake. The school seeks to create a diverse community of engaged learners. |
| 5. How much weight does the Admission Committee give to test scores? |
| Test scores are only one aspect of a student’s file. A broad range of test scores exists among those students accepted by Harvard–Westlake, and we do not have a cutoff point for admission. Because we accept children from so many different elementary and junior high schools, these scores illuminate a child’s academic record and provide a standardized measure for the Admission Committee. Our experience has shown, for example, that students who routinely score below the median on standardized tests, normed for independent schools, are likely to struggle with the Harvard–Westlake curriculum.
More information about the ISEE Test... |
| 6. Are sibling and legacy applicants given special consideration? |
Harvard–Westlake recognizes the desirability of enrolling brothers and sisters. However, what is right for one child may not be the right school for his or her sibling. Siblings will only be admitted if they have demonstrated qualities likely to lead to their success at Harvard–Westlake. Siblings of current students and children of alumni and legacy families who have sustained a positive relationship with the school since graduating will be given preference when all other factors are equal. In addition to applying to Harvard–Westlake, it is strongly recommended that all families apply to other schools because admission to Harvard–Westlake is not guaranteed. As a result of the increased competitiveness for both 7th and 9th grade spaces, every year more sibling/legacy families are disappointed as their applications have not been equal to others.
Sibling and legacy applicants are encouraged to attend the first Family Visiting Day scheduled for their grade and are strongly encouraged to take the ISEE by December. Sibling/legacy families should refer to the information sheet for sibling/legacy applicants and call the Admission Office if they have further questions. |
| 7. Does a student need to be a particular age to be considered for admission? |
| For the 2008–2009 school year, students applying for the 7th grade must turn 12 before July 1, 2009. |
| 8. Is admission to the Upper School guaranteed for Middle School students? |
| Although Harvard-Westlake has two separate campuses, we are one school. If a student's academic and behavioral record is acceptable, he/she will automatically be enrolled in the Upper School. |
| 9. When will we receive the school's decision? |
| The application deadline is January 22, 2008. Decision letters will be mailed on March 20, 2008, to those 7th grade applicants whose files are completed by the deadline. Decision letters will be mailed on March 7, 2007, to those 9th and 10th grade applicants whose files are completed by the deadline. |
| 10. Harvard-Westlake is our first choice. Do we have to apply to another school? |
| We strongly recommend that you apply to another school where your child will be happy should he or she not be admitted to Harvard–Westlake. Admission is not guaranteed, and each year some families are surprised and disappointed with the decision. |
| 11. What happens if an application is late? |
| Most spaces at Harvard–Westlake will be filled by students who apply by the deadline of January 22, 2008. Applicants who complete their applications after this date will only be considered for the waiting list. |
| 12. Does Harvard-Westlake accept foreign students? |
| Harvard–Westlake does not issue the I-20 form for foreign student study and only enrolls students who intend to complete their secondary education at Harvard–Westlake through the 12th grade. We do not offer a program in English as a Second Language (ESL), so all students need to be completely fluent in English for reading, speaking, and composition. |
| 13. What is tuition? What additional costs should be anticipated? |
Tuition for the 2007–2008 school year is $25,000. The new student fee is $1,500. Other expenses include books, transportation, meals, and class activities. Most parents budget an additional $3,000 for the year.
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| 14. Is financial aid available? |
Absolutely. Approximately 14% of the student body receives a total of $5.0 million dollars in financial aid. Harvard-Westlake awards grants to families who demonstrate financial need. Grants are awarded on the basis of the Parents' Financial Statement and the Harvard-Westlake School Financial Aid Committee's review.
Harvard-Westlake has a strong commitment to students with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Families who do not apply for aid at the time of their application will be much less likely to receive aid in a subsequent year.
Please click here for more information about tuition and financial aid. |
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Please click on the question to view the answer.
| 1. Need-based aid vs. merit scholarships: |
| Financial aid at Harvard-Westlake is completely need-based. We do not give merit scholarships or athletic scholarships to students whose families can afford the tuition. Instead, we seek to meet out students' full demonstrated need. |
| 2. How does the school determine financial need? |
| The basic tool used in determining need is the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS), which is a confidential document that gives us a very accurate picture of a family's finances. There is no preset income figure that qualifies a family for aid. We consider numerous factors in determining need. Family size, assets, and indebtedness obviously count, as would a responsibility such as elderly parent care. As the school looks at applications, it differentiates between necessary expenses and money spent for lifestyle choices. With respect to the latter, beyond a certain point, we will not provide aid to offset "lifestyle" expenditures that could have been directed to education. |
| 3. How do I apply? |
| The Harvard-Westlake admission packet available through the Admission Office at (310) 288-3200 includes a financial aid request form. Fill out and mail it in the green envelope provided. You will receive a copy of the Harvard-Westlake financial aid application as well as the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS). The PFS is administered by the School and Student Service (SSS) and may be completed on-line. Our own application asks for different information and gives you the opportunity to explain special circumstances more fully. The application packet explains in detail other documentation, such as tax returns, that must accompany the application. All documents are strictly confidential. Files of students who are not admitted are destroyed immediately after admission decisions are made. |
| 4. What is the deadline for application? |
| We ask that parents submit the PFS as soon as possible after January 1, since it takes time for the form to be processed and sent to us. We should receive the entire application no later than February 1 to allow us sufficient time for thoughtful consideration of new applications. If you are near the dealine, consider submitting the PFS on-line. |
| 5. What do I do if my family can't afford the SSS fee? |
| Call Marian Reynolds in the Financial Aid Office at (818) 487-6605. We will determine if your family's income level qualifies for a fee waiver. If so, we will send you a card that you can mail to SSS in lieu of a check. Because our supply of waivers is limited, we may not be able to honor all requests. |
| 6. How do I know if I need financial aid? |
| A good place to start is by adding $2000 for books, lunches, transportation, and other supplies to the tuition (currently $25,000). If you are counting on gifts from relatives, make sure that they agree to maintain that level of help during your career at HW. Figure the total yearly expense that will be your family's responsibility and divide by 12 to see what the impact would be on your monthly budget. |
| 7. Does applying for financial aid reduce chances of admission? |
| Harvard-Westlake initially reviews candidates for admission without knowing whether or not they are applying for aid. The Admission Committee then accepts the most compelling candidates into the class. For the vast majority of admission decisions, financial aid is not a factor. While there is a sizeable budget and Harvard-Westlake is committed to fully meeting the demonstrated need of accepted students, there is a finite amount of aid available. Only at the end of the process, for some decisions, does the Admission Committee take into account the financial implications of their choices. These financial aid applicants may be placed on the waiting list with the hope that a space and the necessary aid may become available at a later time. A greater percentage of newly admitted students in the 9th grade receive financial aid than in the 7th grade. |
| 8. Can I pay for the first year and then apply for aid? |
| This is not allowed if you needed aid at the time of your initial application. We will, however, review applications from current families that have encountered substantial and unforeseeable financial difficulties during the course of their children’s years at the school. |
| 9. Do I need to reapply for aid each year? |
| Yes, unless your family’s circumstances allow you to cover HW costs in full. So long as your financial need continues, as demonstrated by annual aid applications, the school will continue to meet it. Adjustments will be made for tuition increases and changes in your family’s financial picture. |
| 10. What if parents are divorced or separated? |
| We consider that both parents have an obligation to contribute to the extent they can to their children’s educational expenses. We take into account the assets and income of both natural parents. We cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed legally or otherwise any responsibility for educational expenses. If either parent has remarried we will consider the income of the step-parent, keeping in mind the obligation of that step-parent to his or her natural children. If either parent lives in a household with another adult, we may consider the assets and income of that person, depending on circumstances. In view of this, both natural parents and their current spouses need to fill out a separate PFS form. Extra forms can be obtained by contacting the Admission Office. |
| 11. Are there exceptions to the above policy? |
| Requests to consider extenuating circumstances (such as a missing parent or one who has not provided support and has not been in contact with the family for at least two years) should be explained in writing in the parent statement portion of the Harvard-Westlake financial aid application. |
| 12. I already have a full-pay child at the school, but do not have the resources to pay for a younger sibling. What do I do? |
| You must apply for aid at the time the younger sibling applies for admission. The financial aid application must be for both children, and if the younger child is admitted and you qualify for aid, both children will receive the same tuition grant. |
| 13. What if I have children at other tuition-charging schools? |
| Other K-12 tuitions you pay are figured into our calculations of need, but in order to receive aid from us you must apply for aid at all schools your children attend. You should note that college tuition money is regarded as investment rather than educational expense, in that it rapidly pays for itself in higher income levels. With this in mind, both parents and students frequently take out federally subsidized loans, in addition to the direct aid that is available at the college level. |
| 14. When would I be notified of my award? |
| Admission decisions will be sent out in March. Tuition grants will be announced at that time. |
| 15. Are there payment plans or loans available? |
In addition to a lump-sum payment, the school has plans that allow families to spread the cost over two, three, or ten payments.
Low-interest educational loans are available through special programs run by some banks including Chase (www.chaseEd1.com/2979), prepGATE (www.prepgate.com) and KeyBank (www.key.com/k-12). |
| 16. What do I do if I have additional questions? |
| Contact the Financial Aid Office at (818) 487-6605. We will do our best to help. |
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