Westtown School

West Chester

Pennsylvania

United States

Overview

Westtown School, a Quaker, private, co-ed Pre-K-12 day school with boarding options in grades 9 -12, offers a challenging curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity combined with an exceptional level of attention. Westtown School fosters a culture of reflection and self-discovery in which students can ignite the unique spark that illuminates their passion and purpose. Westtown School inspires and prepares graduates to become stewards and leaders of a better world.

Academics

Summary: A good education isn't just about filling your mind with facts. It's also about self-discovery and preparing you to meet the future. It's about what comes next and, yes, even what comes after that. That's why along with our academically-challenging courses, you also have opportunities to serve others, to become a leader in the community, to travel and to make a difference in the world. Westtown puts action at the center of each student’s experience. We empower students to dig deep, think big and make an impact. Westtown puts action at the center of each student’s experience. We empower students to dig deep, think big, and make an impact. It’s been this way for a very long time. Woven throughout Westtown’s history is a strong emphasis on cross-disciplinary study in the service of active engagement with the world. And now we have a new expression of this approach. The Westtown Deep Dive Designations promote an interdisciplinary lens through which students design and experience their education. Deep Dive Certificates are offered in these areas: Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainability Leadership, Global Leadership, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice, and Data-Driven Change - a new offering this year. We offer a curriculum that rises to meet you, that challenges you to take academic risks and to explore the depth and breadth of our course offerings. Your voice matters, so classes are seminar style, like you find in college. No matter your area of interest or passion, we have something for you, including advanced courses in every department.

Department Director Karen Gallagher

Student/Teacher Ratio: 8:1

Average Class Size: 15

Summer Programs: Offered

Full Time Teachers: 88

Number of AP Courses Offered: 0

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 62%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

English

Creative Writing
Literature
Poetry

History

Asian History
European History
United States History
World History

Foreign Languages

Chinese-Mandarin
French
Latin
Spanish

Religion / Philosophy

Ethics
Religious Studies
Social Justice
Theology
World Religions

Sciences

Astrophysics
Biology
Chemistry
Earth Science
Ecology
Environmental Science
Physical Science
Physics

Math

Computer Studies

Computer Applications
Computer Programming

Music

Band
Choral Music
Composition
Individual Instructions
Orchestra
Recording

Performing / Visual Arts

Acting
Dance
Drama
Painting
Photography
Printmaking
Public Speaking
Screen-Printing
Sculpture
Stagecraft
Studio Art
Theater Arts
Theater Design
Woodworking
Modern Dance

Special Programs

Study Abroad
Community Service
Exchange Programs
Independent Study
Leadership
Outdoor Education

Distinctive or New Programs

The Westtown Deep Dive Designations promote an interdisciplinary lens through which students design and experience their education. Deep Dive Certificates are offered in these areas: Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainability Leadership, Global Leadership, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice, and Data-Driven Change - a new offering this year

Campus Life

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 6

Average Students Per Dorm: 48

Number of Girls Dorms: 3

Number of Boys Dorms: 3

Dorm Amenities

Laundry Facilities
Lounge
Wireless Internet

Other Dorm Amenities

Student Life

Days are busy and although academic life takes up much of the day, there's so much more available to you. Once the academic day ends, the campus hums with activity. Students meet with their clubs, spill out onto the fields for athletics, go into the community for service work or to the theater for set design or rehearsal. Then there's time to hang out at the Belfry (our student center, which sells food). You can go to The Cave (the student lounge) and play Foosball with your friends, or play Frisbee on the South Lawn - a true Westtown tradition.

Facilities

All-Weather Track
Baseball Field
Basketball Court
Fitness Center
Indoor Basketball Court
Indoor Pool
Technology Center

Other Facilities

Ropes Course
Weight Room
Dance Studio
Wrestling Room
Student Center
Book Store
Student Lounge

Clubs & Organizations

Amnesty International
Asian Club
Chess Club
Community Service
Computer Club
Debate Club
Diversity Club
Dorm Proctors
Environmental Club
Foreign Language Clubs
Gardening Club
Habitat for Humanity
International Club
Jewish Student Organization
Literary Magazine
Math Club
Model UN
Newspaper
Outing Club
Peer Counseling
Peer Tutoring
Photography Club
Sexualities Club
Student Activities
Student Government
Student Publications
Theater Club
Weightlifting Club
Woodworking Club
Yearbook
Yoga Club

Arts & Athletics

Summary: We recognize the arts as a source of inspiration and creative expression, a pathway to spiritual expression and integral to education in the 21st century. In the Upper School you can immerse yourself in the arts and expend your creative energy through studio arts, music, theater and dance. At Westtown, athletics are an integral part of the educational experience. We challenge our student-athletes to achieve competitive success while upholding the highest standard of integrity. Our athletes gain confidence, grow as leaders and develop the tenacity and discipline necessary to succeed.

Arts Department Director: Chris Wills

Athletics Department Director: Mich Canuso-Bedesem

Notable Achievements: PAIS State Champions Boys Basketball

Arts

Acting
Dance
Drama
Painting
Photography
Printmaking
Public Speaking
Screen-Printing
Sculpture
Stagecraft
Studio Art
Theater Arts
Theater Design
Woodworking
Modern Dance

Interscholastic Sports

Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country Running
Dance
Field Hockey
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field
Wrestling

Recreational Sports

Camping
Canoeing
Hiking
Martial Arts
Mountain Biking
Outdoor Education
Paddle Tennis
Power Lifting
Rock Climbing
Snowboarding
Table Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Weight Lifting

Graduates

Summary: Our College Counseling office is committed to helping students find the best colleges for them, recognizing that among such a diverse and wide range of students, there will be a diverse wide range of best college matches – small liberal arts colleges, large public universities, highly selective schools, Research 1 institutions, visual or performing arts programs, and more. They encourage students to dig deep into colleges’ academic offerings and to look for other measures of quality besides rankings, which are often faulty or misleading. Most importantly, they allow plenty of time for students, with their families’ support, to research and visit colleges, and urge them to think deeply, question thoroughly, and reflect thoughtfully as they decide where they want to apply. Throughout the year, our college counselors also reach out to colleges. Approximately 120 college admissions representatives visit Westtown each fall to meet with our students. Our counselors also each typically visit 5 - 10 campuses every year (sometimes up to 15 or 20) to get to know colleges’ programs, settings, and opportunities. All of our counselors are also part of national and regional organizations such as NACAC, PACAC, ADVIS, ACCIS, and more, which give them opportunities for conferences, professional development, and networking with other school counselors and admissions officers. Through all aspects of college counseling at Westtown, the College Counseling staff get to know students very well and they eagerly help families along this path. In the end, every student finds their new home.

College Information

Percentage of graduates who attend college: 100%

Middle Percentile of SAT Scores	Reading	Math	Writing
25th percentile
75th percentile

College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:

University of Colorado at Boulder: 3

University of Pennsylvania: 13

Tulane University: 4

University of California, Los Angeles: 3

Princeton University: 4

Thomas Jefferson University: 6

Tufts University: 3

Boston University: 6

Johns Hopkins University: 3

Notable Alumni

Kevin Roose

Class of 2015

Kevin Roose Westtown Class of 2015 is a technology columnist for the New York Times and a writer-at-large for the New York Times Magazine.

Holland Taylor

Class of 1960

Holland Virginia Taylor ’60 is an American actress and playwright. She won the 1999 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Judge Roberta Kittleson on ABC's The Practice (1998–2003). For her portrayal of E

Mohamed Bamba

Class of 2017

Mohamed Fakaba "Mo" Bamba is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns. He was highly regarded by scouts due to his 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m

Julee Wilson

Class of 2000

Julee Wilson is Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan where she leads the brand’s robust beauty coverage across all platforms — print, digital, social and creating new ways of reaching readers. Previously, Julee was Global Beauty Director at Essence and has hel

Quotes From Alumni

““I came from a somewhat sheltered town in Ohio, and Westtown really opened me up to a wider world. Being there taught me so much about myself, about what was important to me, about how to be a decent human being and love learning for learning's sake."”

-, Class of 2015, Kevin Roose is the author of three books and a technology columnist for The New York Times.

-Kevin Roose, Class of 2015, Kevin Roose is the author of three books and a technology columnist for The New York Times.

Summer Programs

Summary: Westtown's beautiful 600-acre campus is home to a variety of unique and exciting programs during the summer months that are open both to students of Westtown and to the community at large. Our mission driven action-based education carries into summer programs and there are myriad opportunities for children to learn by doing in a supportive and collaborative environment. We invite you to explore these options and look forward to welcoming you to our campus!

Department Director: Laura Dimery

Westtown’s Summer Academic Program

Description: Westtown’s Summer Academic Program offers students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in courses that are rigorous, collaborative in nature, and emphasize critical thinking and self-reflection that are hallmarks of Westtown School’s program. In order to include the broadest diversity of student voices and to expand the global reach of our courses, we have intentionally designed most of our courses in an online format so that students may continue to take advantage of these dynamic courses whether they live nearby or across the world.

Director: Karen Gallagher

Application Deadline:

Start Date: 2021-06-21

End Date: 2021-08-20

Tuition From:

Tuition To:

Website: https://www.westtown.edu/summer/academics

Boarding:

Financial Aid Available: Yes

Westtown Summer Day Camps

Description: Westtown Summer Day Camps combines traditional action-based, outdoors-oriented camp activities with a value-centric culture grounded in respect for all individuals. Programs are designed for children entering pre-K through 9th grade. Campers of all ages have the opportunity to develop new skills while gaining confidence in those they already have while - most importantly - making friends and having FUN! Our program is led by professional, certified, year-round Westtown employees to ensure a quality program consistent with Westtown’s mission of nurturing the growth of every child.

Director:

Application Deadline:

Start Date: 2021-06-21

End Date: 2021-08-06

Tuition From:

Tuition To:

Website: https://www.westtown.edu/summer

Boarding:

Financial Aid Available:

Merit

Merit Scholarships: Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 17%

Average Merit Scholarship: 4,368

Current Endowment Amount: $120,000,000

Interested in Westtown School?

Vital Information

Student Body Type: Coed

Total Boarding: 253

Total Day: 119

Total Enrollment: 372

Boys: 190

Girls: 182

Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12

Day Grades Offered: K-12

School Type: Elementary, Middle, High School

Dress Code: Casual

Applications Accepted: SAO

Application Deadline: February 1st

Tuition & Financial Aid

7-Day Boarding: $63,650

5-Day Boarding: N/A

Day Tuition Fee: $39,720

Need-Based Aid: Offered

Payment Plans: Offered

Students Receiving Aid: 47%

Average Awarded: $31,635

School Finances