Westlake High School

I moved from AISD to Westlake and immediately, from the first day of freshman year felt there was a HUGE academic gap between AISD and EISD(Westlake) staff, and students. (WESTLAKE IS MUCHH BETTER IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE!!)
—Submitted by a student

I am going to be a Sophomore at Westlake high school this coming 2011-2012 year. I am very happy at this school. Westlake does have a pretty bad Reputation about having a bunch of rich mean people who think they are better than every one else. Well what school doesnt have those type of people. The students here could not be any more welcoming and sweet to everyone. The teachers are AWESOME! They know what they are doing, and yes they do give a good amount of homework and you will hate them for it. But truth is it helps your grades. The distict that Westlake is in is very welcoming to transfers. I am a transfer myself but treated no diffrently. I wouldnt want to go any where else. Go CHAPS
—Submitted by a student

This is one of the great High Schools in the state of Texas. Although very competitive in the classroom and on the sports fields, there are opportunities for everyone fit in. The 25 -30 student class sizes, although larger than most, not had any negative effect on my children. I have 4 kids in the eanes school district and I am forever greatful that these schools were recommended to me when I moved to Austin. Even the foreign exchange student we hosted fit in quickly and had the most enjoyable year of her life. Budget cuts are a fact of life. It is the tremendous parental involvement and support that helps to make this a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

We love this school. Moving to Austin from Silicon Valley, we picked the Eanes school district immediately. It was a no brainer - every school in the district was exemplary. Their testing scores were through the roof and the high school ranks in the top 100 of schools in the nation. The teachers are mandated to have graduate degrees but more importantly, they care about the students. The students themselves are wonderful - conscientious kids who have the highest regard for academic excellence. My high schooler was amazed by the difference between her friends in CA and at Westlake High. The latter were all over studies and their future while the former tried to coast to get through high school (and the CA high school was among the best in the Bay Area). The programs and electives are incredible.
—Submitted by a parent

Football may be king, but all the programs at Westlake excel. The 'country club' sports of golf, swimming and tennis are all perennial regional and state champs. The art, theatre and journalism departments are phenomenal. And, although kids tend to choose just one or two areas in which to become involved, I have known many kids who are both exceptional athletes and involved in student government, art or theatre. The band and orchestra programs are also great. All of the extracurriculars enjoy tremendous parental and community support. Of course, most important, the academic programs are outstanding. No matter whether your child is destined for the Ivy League, UT or community college, they will leave WHS well-prepared. The AP courses are challenging and rigorous, but the average student also is tended to in regular-level classes. In short, the school offers something for everyone. Great teachers, great college counselors, great parents, great kids!
—Submitted by a parent

Westlake Seniors have been accepted to all of the Ivy League Schools! About 3,000 AP tests given and these kids rock! There is something for everyone at this high school. it is NOT just about football! My son has been in the Technical Entertainment Crew and he is very involved in the school and had excelled here! He is also in all regular classes and was accepted to all 7 universities he applied to! He was able to choose the right school for him with the help of the college and career counselors! Westlake has been a positive experience for both of my children and they both got of Westlake without using drugs, driving a BMW and getting a DUI! Great parental involvement! Go CHAPS!
—Submitted by a parent

You gotta take what works for you and throw the rest away. The school works: its academic performance is incredible which means the teaching is great, resources are great, and opportunities are great. Frankly, we've lived in both Highland Park and here. This is far better--people are friendly and for the most part (I didn't say 'all') the families are supportive and involved in a good way. We've felt welcome despite our minority status.
—Submitted by a parent

i lived and attended eanes school district schools from K-12. each school i went to in the district was a really great experience for me. i must admit there were a lot of times in high school at westlake i thought i 'hated' it, but really the only thing that i hated was the drama between my friends at that time in my life. westlake had so many opportunities i wish i could have taken advantage of. even as a b-average student, i was far more prepared for college than i would have imagined and i even took a semester off before going into college and thanks to westlake's academics, i was readily prepared and hadn't forgotten a thing! i hope one day if i have children they can attend westlake and other schools in the district of eanes.
—Submitted by a student

alright. Westlake is the best school i have ever been to, and i've been to 3 highschools in the past 2 years. I currently attend Westlake, and even though we are very atheletic, we are more focused on academics than anything. For example, of the 2005 senior class, 84% of students graduated to go on to 4-year universities and 10% went on to 2-year community colleges. The teachers here are excellent, and everyone can find a group or club to associate and fit in with. Go Chaps!
—Submitted by a student

This is one of the true outstanding High Schools in the State. Academically outstanding with a huge amount of clubs and interst groups for students. Outstanding Music/Arts, Athletics and Math/Science programs. Very involved parents and talented teachers and administrators. 35 AP classes are offered as well. A large, (2,300) not huge student body, that has benifitted from the Eanes Education Foundation in efforts to reduce class sizes. This Foundation contributed over $800,000 to the District last year which funded over 17 full time teaching positions throughout the District.
—Submitted by a parent

Westlake is the Gold Standard for public schools. I am proud to call myself an alumni of Westlake High School. I was involved in everything from academics to fine arts to athletics and can honestly say, at Westlake, we don't settle for anything less than the best! I am proud to have contributed to the #1 AP Physics ranking. I graduated in the class of 2005, a revolutionary class, we opened the freshman center and we graduated with the completion of the chap court. #1 in safety, #1 in academics, #1 in athletics, #1 in excellence! Westlake is The Gold Standard.
—Submitted by a former student

As a junior attending Westlake, I have had first-hand experience with the excellent programs offered at the school. Every program at Westlake strives to be the best at what it does. The science courses offered at Westlake are all exemplary, especially the AP physics classes. The foreign language department consists of Spanish, Latin, French, German, and American Sign Language. To Kill a Mockingbird, 1984, Jane Eyre, and The Tempest, are just a few of the many literary selections that are read in the English classes. The band program at Westlake is a very prestigious organization that has too many honors to count, including a performance at the American Bandmasters' Association in 2006. All of the athletic programs offered only settle for the best. The thing that keeps Westlake alive and well, however, is the willingness of the parents to do whatever it takes to give their kids the best possible experiences.
—Submitted by Ben, a student

Strong academics. Extraordinary variety of music, art, sports and extra activities.
—Submitted by a parent

wonderful school my kids loved it
—Submitted by a parent

Westlake High School is huge. If your child is not a jock, band member, or plugged into the dance team forget about it.
—Submitted by a parent

Great School. Big, but something for everyone. Football is King
—Submitted by a former student

Great academic programs. Sports programs are the best in central Texas. Great girls basketball and volleyball program. Parents are very active in this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Westlake High School is the only high school in the Eanes Independent School District. The school is located in a suburban residential area in the western part of Austin, Texas. The socio-economic level is upper middle class. The school places a strong emphasis on academic learning. The majority of WHS's students continue their education after graduation. All classes meet 5 days a week for 55 minute periods. The regular school day consists of six class periods. Varied course offerings allow students to meet individual needs and interests. Electives are offered in fine arts, business, technology, graphics, home economics and in each of the major disciplines. Other elective options are offered through career-based programs. The comprehensive special education program offers all classes that are needed for students who qualify. Twenty-three advanced placement courses are taught in English 3 & 4, Calculus, Computer Science, Statistics, U.S. History, European History, Psychology, Government,
—Submitted by Luis, a former student

Westlake is regarded as one of the best public high schools in the nation due in large part to the amazing AP classes offered with teachers that actually like their jobs. Safety is also a key issue, I attend Westlake and feel very safe. Gangs, knives, fist fights, cat fights, etc are a non issue. If there were a fist fight at westlake high school it would be broken up in 2.3 seconds flat and talked about for about 2 months.
—Submitted by a student

Fantastic & Well rounded learning environment. Many different and enriching programs to choose from.
—Submitted by a parent