Westerly School of Long Beach in Burbank, California

“We couldn't ask for a better school for our daughter. She's in first grade and thriving. We love both the inschool and after school programs. She loves to go to school in the morning and always asks if she can stay a little longer when we pick her up. There was a comment saying the tuition was high. Though is was more than our daughters previous school, that closed due to lack of funds and enrolement, it is lower than some of the other options we looked into when her last school closed.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“westerly is a great school that emphisises on the arts: music, art, and even insturments”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Westerly's strengths are: high academic standards, great faculty that works as a team to give individual attention to students, differentiated instruction allows children to advance and be challenged at all levels. Spanish, Art, and music and PE are taught daily from K to 8 by specialists in each subject. The Middle School is incredible and offers advanced curriculum in a small nurturing environment. Both of my children love attending Westerly!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The Boy's Basketball program is an exceptional image of character building through sport.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I feel Westerly School's no. 1 quality is its dedication to each individual student. It's hard for a child to slip below the radar emotionally, socially and academically with two teachers leading a class. As a parent, I like knowing that my child's teacher knows her extremely well. Parent-teacher communication is key, and my daughter's teacher has made it very clear to me that I am welcome to call, email or stop by anytime. Complete and total open door two-way communication. While overall I'm exceedingly impressed with the sense of community at Westerly, the after school program and with attention to the individual student, I'm am equally unimpressed with how some teachers sometimes reward with food, and at times can be very, very strict in terms of discipline. Mixed bag.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I've had three children at Westerly and I've been impressed with the teachers' ability to appreciate each child as an individual, to instill a sense of community spirit, and to nurture the children's emotional development. The teachers work with the parents to find each child's unique gifts and design a differentiated curriculum. The graduating 8th graders go on to be successful at the most rigorous high school programs, and then go to colleges like Harvard, Yale, U-Chicago, USC, U-Michigan. What differentiates Westerly from the gifted classes in the public schools, however, is its 'whole child' approach. Not just intellectual development, but emotional, moral, and physical development. The school is one of Long Beach's best kept secrets.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son can't wait to get to school and doesn't want to leave. A far cry from his past two schools, where he would cry and not want to go. He learns at school, therefore, his homework is minimal. Testing is to see what they need to be taught, not to get state funding for excellence. They do not test daily, the kids don't look all stressed out. They play! It feels like your walking back in time, the way school use to be, fun. The curriculum is challenging, but the kids love to learn, so it works.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“What every parent wants for their child. Values, respect and guidance.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Westerly is a wonderful school. It's curriculum focuses on the Whole child and ensuring each student reaches his or her potential. Academics are a priority however we make time to ensure that the children recieve a well rounded education including: Music, Spanish, ARt, PE, and Computer Sciences. The best thing about Westerly is the Community. The school is situated in a park like setting that is extremly safe and secure. Parents are involved in thier childs school experiences and the community focuses on supporting a harmonious, safe enviornment. Differences are encouraged and promoted in each student.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Good school - lots to offer.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“Excellent academics. Music, sports, art and after school program are great. The new headmaster seems terrific. The problem is that the school is expensive and there is not much socio-economic diversity.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The Westerly school has a very low student to reacher ratio and a beatiful campus. The music department is excellent.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Located in the heart of Long Beach on a lush, five acre park like campus, Westerly School of Long Beach has earned a prestigious reputation as one of the premier educational institutions in the area. From the Full Day Kindergarten students to the 8th grade students who matriculate and succeed in the most rigorous high school programs, Westerly s traditions of academic excellence through personal and social development in the context of a diverse community exemplify the school s mission statement. A challenging core curriculum is enhanced with expert instruction in fine arts, music, technology, physical education and Spanish. A master teacher and teaching assistant teach each grade, resulting in an 11 to1 student faculty ratio. A rich after-school program is offered as is an engaging summer program. Westerly is proud to be accredited by both, CAIS and WASC. Please call the school or visit the website for more information.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“My daughter has been at Westerly for 2 years. She looks forward to going to school each day. The school and teachers have made learning come alive for the students. When summer comes, she starts counting the days until she can go back to school. I had her tested to find out where she stood academically and found her to be a grade level ahead. The staff is very responsive and they do not tolerate bad behavior. The children are the most polite kids that I have seen. The schools 8th graders go to the top academic programs available and take with them the love of learning that they have been taught.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I graduated from Westerly last year and am now in a distinguished scholar program at a local public school. Everyone in my graduating class of 22 were accepted into highly accelerated high school programs. I truely enjoyed the teachers, the students and the entire experience at Westerly. They prepared me very well for high school and I gained a sense of confidence that I probably would not have received at a larger school.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I have a second grader at Westerly and we are so happy to be at this school. It has all the advantages of a small school where everyone knows your child by name. At the same time it has the spirit of being a cutting edge high energy enviroment where children learn much, much more than just the basics.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I graduated from Westerly four years ago. It is a small school that equals the energy and spirit of a large school. There is no greater scholastic community in the Long Beach area. Every student has an amazing story. The bright individuals that the school molds (and yes the school is a lot about character building) are nothing but extraordinary. I can also tell you that the alumni have gone on to such prestigious colleges as Yale, USC, UCLA, Berkeley and more!”
This review was posted by a former student.