Schools > Public > Westwood High School

Westwood High School in Austin, Texas

Westwood High School Detail

(512) 464-4000
12400 Mellow Meadow Dr
Austin, TX 78750
Levels: 9-12
District: Round Rock Independent School District


Westwood High School Census Data

Census InfoValueYear
White, non-Hispanic:65.5% (2008)
Black, non-Hispanic:3.8% (2008)
Hispanic:10% (2008)
American Indian/Alaskan Native:0.4% (2008)
Asian/Pacific Islander:20.3% (2008)
Student Teacher Ratio:15.9% (2008)

Westwood High School Ratings Summary

Average Quality Rating4
Average Principals Rating4
Average Teachers Rating4
Average Activities Rating4
Average Parents Rating4
Average Safety Rating4

Westwood High School Reviews

Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2009-09-13
“Very very good school, especially in terms of academics. But beware- the environment among students can be excessively cutthroat and competitive. Students who are not prepared will be destroyed in terms of class rank at this school”
This review was posted by a student.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2009-08-28
“Westwood is a great school, but it is nearly impossible to stand out if you aren't in the IB program. It is very difficult to get in the top 10 percent because of the high concentration of AP and IB students. The athletic programs are well organized and the faculty is more than helpful. The worst part of Westwood is the parking. Even after building the new parking lot, they gave parking to all Juniors and all Seniors and as a Senior, there is absolutely no parking for me this year. After waiting 4 years to have a parking spot where I didn't have to arrive at 4 A.M. to be a mile away, this was very disappointing.”
This review was posted by a student.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2009-07-28
“I graduated 07. WW is a very good school, but is the AP and IB program that more prepares students for college than the regular classes. There are a lot of hardworking students, so making the top 10 is very difficult. Still, most of the teachers were good, and some classes are harder than some other schools. Sidenote: band camp during the summer in the parking lot is not fun. They need to have a week to teach freshmen to march, so everyone else doesn't have to relearn every freaking year. There are 'bad' kids and potheads at any school, but I never once felt at all unsafe at WW. Just watch out for Parking Lot Bob - he'll get your car with those orange stickers if you don't have a senior lot permit. Haha”
This review was posted by a student.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2009-01-01
“We relocated from out of state to Austin. I researched schools on this site and chose Westwood. My daughter was fortunate to get into the IB program here. I have to say the education she has received at Westwood is on par with (at the very least) a Private school and feel strongly many of her courses are college-level. She is applying to 7 competitive colleges this year as a senior. Westwood has prepared her to compete with the best.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2008-12-22
“The academics of Westwood High School are equal to a lot of private schools. The teachers are caring and knowledgable and the students are all for the most part serious about their academics. As a whole WW has a lot ot offer in the areas of sports, dance, art, and most importantly content. I graduated from WW in 2000 and then attended TCU and graduated in 04. I have thus moved to the D.C. area and can still say that my time at WW has continued to serve me in life. I have met people from all over the US and when they talk about high school and we compare stories, its very apparent that WW is a very good school.”
This review was posted by a student.
Quality Score: 2
Post Date:2008-11-05
“If you want to waste your life doing a large amount of superfulous work, this is the school for you. The school has a way too much emphasis on competition and colleges wont care if you come from this school so doing extra work is just wasting time from when you could be studying for more important things like the SAT”
This review was posted by a student.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2008-10-03
“Great school. Great teachers. Prepares you very well for college.”
This review was posted by a student.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2008-08-22
“I graduated in 2003 and just wanted to let parents and students know this school has thoroughly helped me through my college experience. I knew other kids who did not go to Westwood, where academics were not as emphasized, and are struggling through the college process. Westwood prepares you! Also, the fine arts are a major plus! Choir, Theatre, Orchestra, Band...all are exceptional extracurriculars. Do not be afraid of the challenges because they help in the long run.”
This review was posted by a student.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2008-05-29
“Considering this is an IB school, it's really a pretty good high school as far as Austin is concerned. My daughter is in the JROTC program here and is excelling in all of her subjects. This school, like CVMS, expects their students to do well. Eddy S, parent”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2008-01-30
“Given the opportunity to do high school over again, I would pick Westwood over any public or private high school in the Austin area. IB is a fairly heavy time investment but well worth it if you can manage it. The best teachers in each department usually teach those classes and IB kids end up having them 2 or 3 years in a row. I will say that dropping IB after freshmen year or first semester sophomore year if you are struggling is worth consideration. The workload will not let up if you are having trouble in the early stages and IB may just make you miserable for the rest of high school. Fine arts are also pretty exceptional. The band does well in competition and the orchestra is phenomenal. A wide variety of fine arts classes is offered in everything from music theory to dance. Go Warriors”
This review was posted by a student.
Quality Score: 2
Post Date:2007-08-18
“I agree with parents who say drug use is high and the school lacks control in safety and dicipline. Students with problems or households with working parents have no place here. This has been going on for some time as I have met others who have had children get lost at Westwood over the years. Most of the kids have enough apptitude to Texas skills tests.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2007-08-02
“Westwood High School offers a variety of activities for students with a variety of interests. Their extracurricular programs are strong all around and the sponsors are dedicated to providing the children with the best experience possible. Furthermore, the teachers at Westwood push their students to greater academic heights. They really set a standard that could be more closely associated with a college as opposed to a high school and this really helps the students grow academically. Westwood offers both AP and IB opportunities for students looking to earn college credit and they do an amazing job preparing these kids for the tests. Beyond academics, Westwood also provides their students with a safe and fun environment and this is exemplified best in the activities they put on for their students including Prom, Homecoming and the Senior Project Graduation.”
This review was posted by a former student.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2007-06-11
“I am a graduate of this school, and to this day I am still a warrior at heart. This school was really a great place that had a great staff, awsome teachers and a challenging Curiculum.”
This review was posted by a student.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2007-05-30
“My daughter came to Westwood from a small private school and I was concerned about the big change from 350 to 2500 students, but she has absolutely loved it. The classes are challenging, the teachers are excellent, and she has made many friends. Parental involvement is exceptional; they support the school but do not control it like in many private schools.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2007-05-08
“I have a daughter that's been going to Westwood for 3 years and believe me I was a little worried at first knowing the schools reputation for high academic standards. With my daughter on the verge of entering her senior year, I already feel she is well prepared for her college education and have no doubt she will excel at the next level. In a class of just under 700 students, over 300 just received an award for carrying over a 4.0 GPA through their junior year. To me that is not a typical bell curve with the middle being neglected. Excellence breeds excellence and has a positive effect on all around it.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2007-04-12
“My child is a freshman at Westwood this year. We moved across town to get into the district, as she was not being challenged at her old school. What I did not expect was for my child to have to stay up until 2 am many nights in a row to keep up with homework and projects. She was used to being in the very top percentile, now she is having to work so hard her health is in jeaopardy. She loves Westwood, though, and will always strive for straight As, which seems nearly impossible with all the extra work they give 9th graders. We're told it will be easier next year.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2007-04-03
“Westwood is great for the incredibly brilliant and intellectually challenged. The bright kids will be well prepared for college. Not many people will reach their full potential without being challenged and pushed to achieve. The school allows the average students to underachieve their full potential by allowing them to float along instead of pushing them like they push the kids at the ends of the bell curve.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2007-03-05
“I was in the first group of students to graduate from the Fine Arts Academy. Everyday I drove 45 minutes to and from Westwood from my neighborhood by the lesser Stony Point HS, and it was well worth it. I took excellent, unique classes such as Children's Theatre, Comedy/Improv, Shakespeare, American Drama, Tap Dance, as well as drawing and advanced art courses. My teachers cared about me and my growth as a student and artist, and I really thrived while there. I highly recommend their AP English classes, well worth the time spent. The coursework overall was challenging at times, in ever my 'regular' classes, but I find college to be very similar (if not easier at times). Great college prep, many sleepless nights, terrific fine arts program.”
This review was posted by a former student.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2006-07-11
“We moved from Los Angeles to Austin in Jan. Our daughter loves Westwood high school because there is little bullying in this school. She feels very safe in school now. On the other hand, as parents, we appreciate what the teachers and counsellor worked for our child.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2006-05-18
“westwood is an unbelievably strong school... the IB program especially is what makes ww consistently ranked in the top 100 high schools in the united states. i'm currently a sophomore IBer at westwood. the fine arts academy is also an asset. ww is the epitomy of competition - the top ten percent here cannot even in the slightest compare with most any other school in the vicinity. The teachers are for the most part superb, especially if you're an AP/IB student.”
This review was posted by a student.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2006-02-03
“Qualified and experienced teachers”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2005-12-30
“I feel I am getting an amazing education from Westwood. They work the students hard and really make them think. Because Westwood is a difficult school, there is a large amount of homework involved. I am extremely busy outside of school and I don't think it is the best thing for me at the moment.”
This review was posted by a student.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2005-12-10
“Too many smart people that can affect the environment making it challenging for middle class students to suceed.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2005-11-30
“Great school. Very competitive academically but almost seems like teachers encourage it. Wide range of EC activities and groups.”
This review was posted by a former student.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2005-11-01
“Westwood was an excellent school that prepared me for college. It is quite rigorous at times however such a valuable experience.”
This review was posted by a former student.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2005-08-11
“Many extracurricular activities.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2005-07-18
“i think that westwood is a wonderful school. the band program is especially ownderful, it's like your extended family, and the children amke friends so easily. the level of parent involvement is great and it really rubs off on the school. the academic prgrams are suberb as well. my daughter is currently in all AP classes, and she loves them. the teachers are always willing to help out, and this is really just a wonderful wonderful school.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2005-06-29
“Excellent school. My daughter loves it! The academies are outstanding, I highly recommend the Fine Arts academy or the IB academy.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2005-06-15
“Westwood is one of the top schools in the area, both academically and athletically.”
This review was posted by a student.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2005-04-19
“great high school although drug use seems high for such a middle class neighborhood. Otherwise, the performing arts academy is excellent, as well as the athletic dept. Block scheduling allows kids to focus on each subject better and offers flexibility with homework.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 3
Post Date:2005-04-01
“Westwood takes great pride in their academic excellence. They however are not a good fit for a middle of the road student -one who maintains a B average. These students get lost in the hoopla of their IB and AP programs as well as lose the opportunity to be taught by that higher quality educator. What a loss for our kids.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2005-03-07
“The teachers and grade level councilors, at least 9th grade, really seem to care about the students. Not only academically but as growing young adults.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2004-07-22
“Both my daughters graduated from Westwood. Both did great in college because of the foundation they received in high school. The school is very academic oriented and provides a very safe orderly environment. In their combined 8 years at the school we only had one teacher that should have been in another profession. I think those are pretty good odds. The competion at Westwood is very high. Even though both my daughters graduated with a very respectable GPA, one of them being a National Merit Scholar, neither graduated in the top 10 percent of there class. All in all, my girls had a very positive and productive experience at Westwood. N. Noy”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 1
Post Date:2004-02-26
“Westwood is strong academically, however, if a child has a problem with a teacher, the school (including the principal) quickly condemns them. They will defend the teacher at all costs.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2004-02-23
“Graduates of Westwood often find classes at their college or university easier than those they took in high school! My children feel very fortunate to have gone to such an exemplary school that prepared them so well for college. It is also an extremely safe and well-disciplined environment. Students are very tolerant and my children never witnessed any violence in the seven year span they were there. Academics and sports are well-balanced. Football is important, but this is Texas! The only negative with a school of this caliber is that with the Texas Top 10% (automatically admitted to the state university of their choice) Law, some very academically deserving and high-achieving students who went to Westwood can have a hard time getting into the University of Texas or Texas A&M because the slots are filled with top 10% students from considerably lower-performing high schools.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2003-09-09
“This school offers great academic achievement and quality. It's like a private school without the money.”
This review was posted by a other.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2003-08-26
“English classes are lacking in vocabulary development and grammar use. Math and science are strong courses. Football is way too important.”
This review was posted by a parent.




     




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