When you join the Westridge community, you are becoming part of a diverse and supportive family.
Every parent of a Westridge student is a member of the Westridge Parent Association (WPA); the role of the WPA is to welcome parents into the Westridge family, helping you discover ways to get more deeply involved in the vibrant life of our school, get connected with one another, and support our daughters.
The WPA offers a variety of fun opportunities for parents to get involved at Westridge—from hosting parent socials, to attending parent-daughter dances, to helping organize beloved annual school-wide events like our Community Picnic and fall Yam Festival. WPA Grade Level Representatives reach out to new families over the summer and support them throughout the transition to our school, coordinating off-campus grade level events to build class community and on-campus coffees with division directors in the fall.
Each year the WPA raises funds for guest speakers, activities for community engagement, Scholarship for Diversity, experiential learning scholarships, and more. In addition to caring for our community on campus, the WPA also supports our neighbors and community in the wider world, organizing the Summer Opportunities Fair on campus every spring (a nationally recognized event that provides free resources to the public and a venue for families to learn about summer programs) and fundraising for Partnership for Success!, a collaboration between Pasadena Unified School District and four independent schools, including Westridge, that provides 5-week enrichment programs for public school students.
The Westridge community goes beyond the usual ideals of developing a strong school community and includes the goal of taking care of our broader community, our country and our world.
—Ruth Coyne
Westridge Parent and Former WPA Executive Committee Member
Guest Speakers & Parent Education Opportunities
Not only does the WPA create opportunities for parent involvement, but it also provides a forum for discussion of issues pertinent to the girls’ education. WPA meetings are held throughout the year, and all parents are invited to attend to hear from special guest speakers (past speakers have included author of Enough as She Is Rachel Simmons, author of Under Pressure Dr. Lisa Damour, and members of the Westridge faculty). The WPA has also hosted a Parent Education Series—a series of small-group, discussion-focused meetings led by our Director of Counseling Lisa LaFave, Psy.D. and centered around a single topic related to raising young women.
Parent Affinity Groups
Fostering an inclusive community is a top priority for Westridge and as part of our diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) work, we strive to create safe spaces for parent connection and support. In addition to the more than 20 student affinity groups on campus, we also have parent affinity groups for those with shared experiences, cultural, racial, or ethnic backgrounds to meet, support one another, and discuss various topics.
Current parent affinity groups include: Comunidad Latinx, Students at Westridge of African Heritage Group (SWAHG), Westridge Asian American Culture and Heritage Group (WAACH), and the Parents of Students with Neurodiversity Affinity Group.
In the spring parent affinity groups participate in the WPA-hosted Night Market, an annual school-wide festival that celebrates Westridge families’ diverse backgrounds.
Yam Festival is a beloved fall tradition, hosted by the WPA for the whole school.
Westridge Dads' Club can often be spotted at various school events (like the fall Community Picnic) manning the grills!
Westridge parents help make the annual Summer Opportunities Fair a successful community event every year.
The WPA hosts the Westridge Night Market for the whole community each year.
Previous Westridge parent education opportunities include presentations from special guests like Dr. Lisa Damour, author of Under Pressure.
Author of Enough as She Is Rachel Simmons gives a presentation at a WPA meeting.
Westridge Dads' Club sponsors an Open Mic Night event for parents to relax, socialize, and have fun!
Westridge Dads’ Club
The WPA Dads’ Club was founded to enhance the involvement of fathers in their daughter’s school life and provide opportunities for dads to connect with one another. Comprised of a committee of Westridge dads, Dads’ Club meets to plan events designed to strengthen the Westridge community.
Past events have included monthly basketball games, community service days, panel discussions on topics related to raising young women, Open Mic Night events, and more.