Let the adventure begin!
Lower School at Westridge is a joyous mix of creativity, intellectual challenge, personal development, and girl power.
Across our curriculum, girls are taught the power of a growth mindset in learning and are fully supported as they build confidence, develop a strong sense of self, and begin to look at the world around them in new ways. They trust that they can take risks in the classroom and they are trained to think like scientists, to write substantial narratives. They also learn people skills, and as a result they know how to be a friend and how to have a friend.
Learning in the Lower School
Our academic program is comprehensive and balanced, offering math, language arts, and PE every day, as well as immersion in history, choral music, art, and science every other day. Spanish language and string instrument instruction begins in 5th grade, and formal leadership education begins in grade 6.
Learning is project-based with longer class blocks for collaboration and discussion—research-proven strategies for how girls learn best. Our teachers place an emphasis on engaging students in the learning process so that from a young age they have insight into their personal learning style and move on to middle school with the self-knowledge, self-confidence, and strong voice for which Westridge students are known.
Curriculum Guide CATALOGUE OF COURSEs*
*Middle and Upper School
Faculty Spotlight
Val Trimarchi,
Lower School Art Teacher
In Why I Teach, Why Westridge, Ms. T—who has been at Westridge for nearly two decades—shares her journey to teaching and her perspective on what makes Westridge so special.
Faculty Q&A
Dr. Zanita Kelly, Director of Lower and Middle School
Look back on an interview with Dr. Kelly in her first year at Westridge, when she shared her educational philosophy and discussed what made her excited about joining the Westridge community.
Why Girls' School?
Girls’ schools lead to powerful outcomes for students because here, they can let their true selves shine. They try more things, lead more often, and raise their voices.
It’s not about the absence of boys. It’s about the full presence of girls.
Why 4th Grade?
Our school starts in 4th grade because this is a critical time in girls’ identity development. A time when the influence of gender norms grows, and a time when girls’ self-confidence dips. Our girls’ school environment and special focus on social-emotional development is a game-changer at this critical juncture.
