Getting ready to apply to a new school can seem daunting and full of unknowns. You may be asking yourself questions such as, “What do I need to do to prepare my child? What is my first step? What should I be looking for in a school? What are schools looking for in my child? How do I know if the school is the right one?” Those are all great questions that I want to answer for you!

Childhood at Westridge should be a first draft. Temporally, it is step one of the rest of their lives as thinkers and creators and leaders. It isn’t about perfection, or end products, or risk-free-ness. It’s about mistake-making for growth, some real messiness, trying things and experimenting, formation and development, patience. Taking chances in a space and place of fertile ground for development. Striving and rising. Changing and being changed. The developmental arc of each child is long and no two are exactly alike. Much like a first draft, students are young, and their pixelation is continually forming.

The Westridge campus came alive as students, families, and employees gathered during Convocation to celebrate the start of the 2024-2025 school year on August 28. Convocation, held on Herrick Quad, included remarks from ASB President Kayla A. '25 and Ms. Kassar and introductions of new faculty and staff joining our community this fall. Ms. Kassar discussed Westridge's focus on deep listening—to and from both students and faculty—and how it shows caring, encourages a culture of participation, and affirms our humanity.