Summary: Webb's academic program is a rigorous college preparatory curriculum designed to cultivate independent thinking, collaborative learning, and effective communication. The program nurtures students who engage deeply with both traditional and emerging disciplines, master essential skills for success in college and beyond and embody key intellectual qualities such as curiosity, a love of learning, and a commitment to integrity and truth.
Courses in the Freshman and Sophomore years form the bedrock of Webb’s CORE Program, where students learn critical thinking skills. During this period, students follow a set curriculum with opportunities to tailor their studies according to their personal interests.
In the Junior and Senior years, students chart their own educational paths, exploring established areas of interest or discovering new ones through a diverse array of unique courses. These courses, both on and off campus, involve academic partnerships, alliances, and relationships, including advanced studies with professors at the Claremont Colleges, opportunities at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and research at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum as well as Webb’s own Alf Museum of Paleontology.
Throughout Webb's curriculum, we emphasize creative thinking and problem-solving over rote memorization, instilling skills and habits of mind essential for success in college and beyond. Webb students become master learners, adept at addressing problems, asking the right questions, and utilizing various resources to articulate and test their own answers. They are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Guided by faculty who are experts in teaching high-school-aged students and in meeting each student where they are, Webb provides a customized learning experience for every one of our 400+ students.
Webb’s CORE Program is dynamic, with a curriculum that adapts to reflect students' interests, learning expectations, and the current moment.
Department Director Nina Butler-Roberts
Student/Teacher Ratio:
6:1
Average Class Size: 16
Summer Programs: Offered
Full Time Teachers: 57
Number of AP Courses Offered: 5
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 90.0%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0
Noteworthy Information:
Webb offers over 60 advanced courses.
Learning Support
- Evening Study Assistance
- Technology Center
English
- Creative Writing
- Honors
- Literature
History
- Asian History
- Classical History
- European History
- Honors
- Medieval History
- United States History
- World History
Foreign Languages
- Chinese-Mandarin
- French
- Spanish
Humanities / Social Sciences
Sciences
- Astrophysics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Paleontology
- Physics
Math
- Algebra
- Calculus
- Statistics
- Pre-Calculus
Computer Studies
Music
Performing / Visual Arts
- Journalism
- Studio Art
- Theater Arts
- Multimedia
Special Programs
- Community Service
- Robotics
- Student Council
- Science Research
Distinctive or New Programs
- Ninth- and 10th-grade courses in English, math, science and history are taught in single-sex settings. Courses in 11th and 12th grades are co-ed.
Summary: Unlike a standard high school, where only some students pursue the arts or compete in team sports, Webb is committed to having every student participate in both our arts and athletics programs. By asking students to take risks and explore new things, they come to discover their talents and passions.
Arts Department Director: Stefanie Plumley
Athletics Department Director: Steve Wishek
Notable Achievements: VWS Varsity Soccer posted an undefeated season in 2021-22, winning its league, CIF division and the CIF Southern California Regional Championship for Division 5.
Arts
- Journalism
- Studio Art
- Theater Arts
- Multimedia
Interscholastic Sports
- Badminton
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country Running
- Diving
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
- Water Polo
- Wrestling
Recreational Sports
- Dance
- Yoga
- Fitness
- Outdoor Activities
Summary: Webb knows colleges and how to match students with opportunities, whether it’s a small, select liberal arts college, an Ivy League school, or a large university. Our placement results speak for themselves. Each year, 90% of the graduating class attends a college ranked in the top 10% (based on data from U.S. News & World Report on 1,600 accredited 4-year colleges and universities in the U.S.). Furthermore, 100% of those who apply are admitted to a selective four-year college or university.
College Information
Percentage of graduates who attend college: 100.0%
Middle Percentile of SAT Scores |
Reading |
Math |
Writing |
25th percentile |
1,390 |
1,400 |
|
75th percentile |
1,510 |
1,540 |
|
Notable Alumni
Julia Marciari-Alexander
Class of 1985
Executive Director, Walters Art Museum
Caroline Adler
Class of 2000
Former Special Assistant to President Obama
Samantha Ainsley
Class of 2007
Senior Software Engineer, Netflix
Ariel Fan
Class of 2010
CEO, GreenWealth Energy
John Scalzi
Class of 1987
New York Times Best-selling Author
Josh Marshall
Class of 1987
Editor and Publisher of TalkingPointsMemo.com
Jim Drasdo
Class of 1963
Capital Research and Management Group
Mark Lee
Class of 1985
Architect, Dean of Harvard Graduate School of Design
Art Clokey
Class of 1939
Creator of Gumby
Quotes From Alumni
“I always remember that Webb taught its students that character counts. Over the years when I've come across difficult moments and have had to decide how to handle them I always revert to Webb's motto, "character counts."”
-, Class of 1998, JD Law University of Minnesota
“Because of my Webb education I was able to go on to be a first-generation college student and go to college happy and confident about my personal growth that I had experienced at Webb.”
-, Class of 2005, Harvard University Yale MBA Student
“It was an environment where you could do what you want and pursue your interests.”
-, Class of 1980, Award-winning Research Physicist
“It was an environment where you could do what you want and pursue your interests.”
-Henry Kapteyn, Class of 1980, Award-winning Research Physicist
“I always remember that Webb taught its students that character counts. Over the years when I've come across difficult moments and have had to decide how to handle them I always revert to Webb's motto, "character counts."”
-Eissa Villasenor, Class of 1998, JD Law University of Minnesota
“Because of my Webb education I was able to go on to be a first-generation college student and go to college happy and confident about my personal growth that I had experienced at Webb.”
-Brittan Smith, Class of 2005, Harvard University Yale MBA Student
Summary: For information about Webb's summer programs, visit www.webb.org/summer.
Department Director: Susanna Linsley
Junior Scholars Summer Program
Description: Join us for a summer of discovery at Webb's Junior Scholars Summer Program for rising 7th-, 8th-, and 9th-graders. A unique, hands-on summer boarding experience in Southern California. Nestled at the foothills of the majestic San Gabriel Mountains, our campus provides the perfect backdrop for your journey of exploration and growth. Bask in the camaraderie of like-minded peers, challenge yourself academically, and let your passions soar in a safe and inspiring environment. Choose from five program tracks: paleontology, global changemakers, science and engineering, how to be creative, or medical science.
Director: Susanna Linsley
Application Deadline:
Start Date: 2025-07-08
End Date: 2025-07-28
Tuition From: 3225.0
Tuition To: 7300.0
Website: http://www.webb.org/summer
Boarding: Boarding
Financial Aid Available: Yes