| Date | Who | Comments |
| 10/12/2012 | parent | Wow! WESM HEAD ADMINISTRATOR brags about this school and YET FAILS TO RECOGNIZE AND ACKNOWLEDGE its OUTSTANDING STUDENTS. Why? My son, a student with a 4.0GPA E-E and others with a 3.0GPA or better have yet to be given a proper day! This same person looked me in the eye earlier this year and told me there would be a "SCHOOL SPONSORED" award ceremony for ALL GRADE LEVELS... giving recognition and acknowledgement to ALL THE OUTSTANDING STUDENTTS... it has yet to happen... 2 YEARS "NO" SCHOOL SPONSORED AWARD CEREMONY FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS FOR THOSE EARNING THE RIGHT... I support the teachers!!! It is not the school that is making my son and his classroom success and others like him... it is my son and those students like him that are making the school... so, Mr. PRNCIPAL....ACKNOWLEDGE THESE STUDENTS - RECOGNIZE THESE STUDENTS... You post on your website a list of HONOR ROLL TITLES... wow, I have yet to recievea certificate indicating his earning the TOP HONOR ROLL, etc! COLLEGES ALWAYS ASK - WHAT AWARDS HAVE YOU EARNED OR WHAT HONOR ROLLS HAVE YOU BEEN ON? Yes this is what colleges ask... TELL THAT TO MY SON - MEMBER OF "THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARS"... |
| 7/31/2012 | parent | Both my sons have attended this school my oldest graduated this year with honors and had many scholarship offers and is on his way to college as are all of his friends-- the graduations rate of seniors increased dramatically and it was just annouced that ALL kids in AP courses taking the AP exam passed the examine that is 100% pass rate- that does not sound like a bad school to me. If your kids are not afraid of hard work and want to be apart of a good community this is a good school . |
| 7/24/2012 | student | As a former student of WHS, I would recommend parents do not send your children to this school and if they are enrolled, transfer them to another school! There has been so much inconsistency in the past four years which ranges from; a different bell schedule every year, a different principal each year, a change in staff and administration each year, etc. We as students were not really given a chance to create a relationship with our staff and administration since our favorite teachers were displaced and new, insensitive teachers were put in their place. These changes have made WHS/WESM a harsh learning environment. Although my experience here wasn't excellent, there were many great teachers in the 2011-2012 school year that showed passion in what they taught and opened up to the students, they made us feel welcome and wanted. Our college counselor listened to our problems and did the best she could at being a voice for the students and expressing to administration how we felt. Administration failed to listen no matter how we approached them and no matter what the problem was, it was less than likely to be resolved in a timely manner. Administration always seemed angry at students.. |
| 4/11/2012 | other | Dear Westchester High community, I am anxious to know how things are going since the magnet school was started. How will this change the overall ratings of the school? How about the ethnic mix; will this also change? As a parent in the area, we would like to send our children to school there, but will need to see dramatic improvement in the next few years to be more comfortable with that decision. Are more kids from Westchester and Playa del Rey choosing to attend, now that the magnet program is in place? Please comment when you can. Thanks very much! Tony Marsh Playa del Rey, CA |
| 4/10/2012 | principal | At the start of the 2011-12 school year, Westchester Senior High became the Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets (WESM). Our school now offers three unique science-themed magnet programs: Aviation & Aerospace, Environmental & Natural Science, and Health & Sports Medicine. While we have maintained our tradition of excellence in athletics and extra-curricular activities, we have embraced a new academic focus, devoting ourselves to the task of preparing every student for prestigious colleges and universities. Please see our website, www.westchestercomets.org, for more information. |
| 11/2/2011 | other | As a former student I am deeply disappointed with the overall high school experience that I received at WHS. Many students had no desire to learn and only served as a distraction to others in the classroom. I was exposed to so many horrific events during the 4 years spent at WHS, by the time I had graduated I m sure I had seen or heard every last violent, offensive, demeaning or cruel action. There is very little parent participation and absolutely no community pride at WHS. The one redeeming quality of the school is that many of the teachers do their best and strive to teach the subject matter in a creative way. Despite this most students have no aspiration to learn and study, hence the low API score. |
| 7/19/2011 | parent | My daughter and I are both pleased with our decision to transfer to Westchester High. She enjoys going to school and the students, teachers & staff have been wonderful! She wants to major in Kinesiology / Physical Therapy, so now with the Magnet program in place for the entire school and her being able to get into the school of Health & Sports Medicine...We couldn't be more excited!!! |
| 12/11/2010 | student | WHS is not a school, I would send my child to. Each year, more and more dedicated parents pull out their child from WHS to attend a more suitable school. It lacks administration and organization and the drop out rate is very HIGH. People that live in the area & attend, is because they have no other choice. The API score was in the 500s last year and is in the 605 or 615 this year. The courses are not rigorous and many teachers don't care, you can easily receive a 3.5 gpa by just turning in & doing work & NOT LEARNING! Some teachers do try, but they fail and just curve grades instead (AP classes). The only highlight for this school is their Basketball team and I heard they have a baseball coach for a soccer coach! If you really care about your child's education,I would not send them here because the motivation and caring for their education will leave them. Hopefully, soon the school will have no other choice to turn charter and get some actual teachers as well as kick out students that don't belong there. For one thing, I am considering to go to my home school that I belong to and should have attended in the first place instead of choosing WHS. |
| 9/18/2010 | student | I'm not sure who wrote the review below, however almost everything note is inaccurate. This school's drop-out rate is very high. WSHS's test score in the bottom 20% among schools state wide. Ranging from conduct and to basic safety issues, this school is very poor. Even teeachers refuse to place their own kids in the school. As for local high school age kids attending, this is a blatant inaccuracy. The is less than 10% of local kids who attend. In fact, the students who come from the middle school are predominately not residents either. As a former student, this school has only turned for the worse. |
| 9/17/2010 | parent | My child is a 10th grader at WHS and has received an excellent education. I have never seen such great teachers. The teachers took an active role in helping guide her to great courses the school offers. The school offers a tremendous amount of AP classes, has fabulous sports programs, and great elective choices. Students who graduate from Westchester are getting into some of the most prestigious colleges around the country. Their API scores are on the rise, and with new administration in place I believe they will only continue to rise. There is a perception that no neighborhood children attend this school and it simply isn't true. A huge group of my child's peers from Orville Wright and other schools are attending WHS. They offer great honors programs through either Honors classes in magnet or community school as well as their new SAS (school for advanced studies) program. |
| 9/29/2009 | student | I am currently a student in the 9th grade, I dont know why a lot of people say this is a bad school it's been fine for me. Nobody will do anything unless you go asking for trouble. The honors program is really good and the kids are usually well behaved and the teachers are superb. Mr Page is the best teacher of all though if you go to Westchester you must have him! |
| 8/27/2009 | student | This is a pretty good school the students are fine, but what worries me the most is the administration lacks organization. They do not plan ahead and are very spontaneous but other than that I think that if you pay attention in class any school can give you an education if you try and get you prepared for college. |
| 7/14/2009 | student | I am a student currently going to my 10th grade year. I really dont know why so many people say this school is bad. Its actually a great school. Most of the students actually pay attention and learn. Most f the teachers actually care. The teacher that cares the most is Mr. Page. He is the teacher that will pudh you to yoiur success in this school. If you go to this school, you must have Mr. Page. He even has been nominated as teacher of the month by CNN. |
| 12/29/2008 | parent | I have seen a drastic change in my granddaugher since starting Westchester High. This is one of the worse high schools in the state. Needless to say this is her first and last year at Westchester. Students are out of control at Westchester |
| 4/25/2008 | student | I am a student currently enroled at westchester in the 10th grade. When I came here last year, the school was horrid students where uncaring and out of control, teachers where going mad and looing there resolve to teach and, out of class, students where uncontroled. After a large reform over the summer, the school has improved segnificantly. There are less uncarring students and the classes are less packed. The school seems to be slowly getting better academicaly, but socialy it is generaly the same as when I came here. Overall the general student attatud is still nay for education. |
| 4/14/2008 | parent | My daughter graduated from Westchester High School in 2004. We both feel that she was very well prepared for college. She took mostly Honors and AP classes. And as a matter of fact, she feels that college is easier than high school. She is currently on the Dean's List at her university in NYC. |
| 2/17/2008 | student | Westchester might not be the best, but it's good. |
| 6/17/2007 | former student | I'm a former student of Westchester high school since 2004. I am currently enrolled in Independent study which is far more superior then the troublesome natures that Westchester high hold. I believe the school has many extra activities to offer but overall the school will change your child for worse. Thanks for your time and remember, do not go to Westchester high. |
| 12/26/2006 | parent | I think Westchester High School is a very bad school. This school could use better leadership. |
| 12/13/2006 | teacher | To my disappointment the students are not to blame at westchester, the administration shows no support for their teachers, the administration needs to hold their staff accountable....Their entire staff.... |
| 12/6/2006 | student | I'm currently a junior enrolled in the magnet program at WHS. If I were to send my child to WHS I would take extra care to enroll my child in the magnet program because if they are in the regular schools courses than you can kiss an education goodbye. The magnet program has offered me great AP classes with amazing teachers. My current AP US History teacher has definitely got me ready to get a 5 on that AP test. The only criticism I have about the school is the discipline aspect is almost non-existent (unless your enrolled in magnet). |
| 11/12/2006 | former student | I graduated from Westchester High school last year and live in the area. As a college freshman, I feel more prepared than other students from other school do. While the majority of students at WHS don't care to graduate, the students in the magnet program are very hard working and most plan to attend college. Students have a choice of taking advanced placement and honors classes. Many schools don't offer as wide of a range of AP classes. As for activities, the school's main extracurricular focus is on sports and I think that the school needs to create a drama program. I don't think there is anything wrong with the faculty or education taught. I think the problem is in the students. |
| 7/29/2006 | parent | WHS is a great school for extra-curricular activities but I question the importance placed on academia. Some of the teachers need to practice tolerance-all children are entitled to equal access. In 2008 I will graduate my second child from this school, the first in 1998. AA children and Latino children will be a dominating factor at WHS. Get use to it! |
| 6/19/2006 | former student | As with most schools, the honors and advanced placement curriculm are well run and the offerings are adequate. Outside of the advanced classes, the school leavs something to be desired. A motivated student will do fine at Westchester, as will one who's parents are on top of their childs schoolwork, however, less motivated and directed kids can easily slip thorough the cracks. In terms of extracurrulars go, the sports programs are well run and successful, however, the offerings in the arts are inadequate. All in all, capable students can be more than successful at Westchester, but the environment is not for the easily distracted child. |
| 4/25/2006 | former student | Westchester high is a great school with great extra curricular activities |
| 2/10/2006 | student | I was a student there and I really appreciate the quality of education that I was able to receive. I was able to take classes like Business Law *wow*. The school isn't much socially but, the education is top notch. |
| 1/11/2006 | former student | Great school and great sports. The athletic department will definitely get your student athlete to the next level. |
| 1/2/2006 | teacher | A giant school that needs to work out it's discipline problems. It is easy to slip through the cracks at WSHS because of all of the students. |
| 11/7/2005 | parent | This school has a lot of things that need to change in order to be a 'great' school...The attitude of the students is the first thing that has got to go...When school is more about what you're wearing than what you're learning, it's going to be a problem from the word go...The teachers are dedicated, but when you've got so many students coming from 'the hood' their attitudes tend to make students who have interest in learning feel like they have to hide their light under a bushel...Currently my niece attends this school and though her grades have improved somewhat, she seems ashamed to let the other kids know...Also the music and art programs need to be expanded to give these kids an outlet that is a positive one that will allow their spirits to rise above their living circumstances. |
| 9/5/2005 | parent | Overcrowded, from my experience the Counselors showed more concern than the teachers. Great basketball team. |
| 8/18/2005 | former student | I believe westchester high is a great school not only for academics but also athletics. This school provides students the chance to ineteract wit different cultures and ethnicities that they would probably not have contact with. Parents are really involved with the school. |
| 7/13/2005 | parent | I think the school school is a great school.Ever since they satrted blocked scheduling my children grades have gone up tremendously!They used to make horrible grades, but now they're making mostly A's. Westchester is the best school in California! |
| 6/3/2005 | staff | This high school is an example of what happens when schools get too big and students don't feel connected to a community. There are actually numerous communities within Westchester HS and they are not necessarily at peace with each other. Some teachers and students are invested in a positive school community but most students are not. However, there is an excellent DOTS (Transition) office here, and there are after-school tutoring programs available, but the tutoring does not continue to the end of the semester, when many students need it most as finals approach. |
| 4/13/2005 | parent | I really think that this school has a lot of potential to be one of the best High Schools in Los Angeles |
| 2/25/2005 | parent | The Quality of acadmic programs seem within the norm of most public schools. Music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities are available and the teachers are knowledgeable and approachable. Parents are as involved as they would like, non-restrictive environment. Overall, if a student is interested in performing and exceeding the norm they have that opportunity at Westchester High School. |
| 8/16/2004 | student | I am a student at Westchester currently between 11th and 12th grade. I previously attended a school with an API score of a 10 and now I at Westchester which is faced with the possibility of being taken over by the state next year for having such a low API score. This low score is based on the students mind frames; it's not that they don't know the answers, but that they don't read the questions. The environment at the school is terrifying with fire alarms being pulled nearly every day and often times more than once and a fight on campus nearly every week. The honors and ap program are fairly good but I feel that if I get a grade of anything other than an A at this school that I am just pathetic and stupid. I am actually hoping the state takes over my senior year. |
| 5/29/2004 | parent | My daughter is a senior at Westchester. And I have to say hats off to this high school. Because the campus is large, some of the overcrowded schools in LAUSD are bussed to Westchester. The teachers are outstanding, and the administration is top notch. Westchester is one of the few public schools where parents are actually involved. We have both a PTA and a Booster club. The students have many opportunities for involvement, one of which is a state championship basketball team. There will always be some students who do not take their education seriously, but overall the students here are well-behaved, hardworking kids. Having all the stakeholders on board with student success as the focus, makes Westchester a successful school. |
| 5/21/2004 | student | I am currently a student here, I am in the 11th grade. I have been to 2 other high schools out of the LAUSD. And I view as Westchester being the most ridiculous school. I am wanting to get a way better education than in WHS. There is no disipline. I can't learn because students are so rowdy. The classrooms smell. And the classes are so extra easy that its hard to pass it because students are just not doing anything. This school definetly needs help. Don't let your kids attend here. The school feels very unsafe and uncomfortable. |
| 3/28/2004 | student | I currently attend westchester high school and I have been there since the ninth grade.I am focused and have been since the 9th so as long as you have a balance academically and socially then you will be fun. |
| 11/28/2003 | other | i currently attend this school and im a junior. To me, the education system is good, its just the environment that is ruining the reputation. |
| 9/9/2003 | teacher | Discipline is almost nonexistent at this school. Students have nearly zero interest in learning. Parents are not involved. |
| 8/26/2003 | other | The vast majority of students attending Westchester High School are bussed in from or commute from surrounding areas. Local children are forced to find other schools where learning is more of a priority to the students. LAPD has a substation on the premises and according to the Argonaut newspaper crime goes up 70% in the surrounding neighborhood when school is in session. If you care about your children, find them somewhere else to get an education. |
| 6/19/2003 | | I am a former studemt of Westchester High School and I feel that just overall, a lot of changes could be made. It is not totally a bad school.... but several things need to be changed. |
