Westmont High School sits within a maze of Campbell suburbia, set in the valley with a view of mountains on most clear days.
Administration at Westmont High School has in recent years had some level of upheaval, which in the words of some was a good thing and in the eyes of many was, at least initially, a bad thing.
Westmont is, for all intents and purposes, a pretty average school. In a predominantly middle-class caucasian neighborhood, Westmont is well known for being classier and smarter than Branham and Del Mar, on par with Prospect, and not quite as good as Leigh or Leland.
In recent years teachers have been cycling in and out, though I can't say with certainty whether this is a consequence of district action or that of the school itself. As tenured teachers retire, the young breed are brought in for a host of courses that probably didn't need new teachers, and they are likely to be recycled (perhaps by choice? I admit I don't know the context well). Still, I find it confusing that some teachers are pink-slipped or transferred, only to be replaced by what is likely to be a younger, equally qualified teacher.
Westmont has, also by district comparison, relatively low rates of crime and violence, and such instances are typically dealt with by faculty with impressive swiftness. The campus has many cameras strewn about the halls, which has, in at least one instance that I am aware of, allowed administration to make smarter disciplining decisions.
The school is finishing (as the district is) a lot of renovation. The turf football bowl and newly-solar-paneled parking lot nicely complement the new theater and quad renovations. It does make you wonder though why the funding that goes into making the quad prettier isn't going into improving the uninspiring API scores and dropout rate.
If there's one thing that's exceptional about Westmont High School, it's English & Journalism instructor Andy Evans. Evans consistently goes above and beyond, inspiring and challenging his students to excel as classmates and individuals. Evans' sharp wit, consistent instructions and behavior, personable style and genuine care molds scholars from delinquents and intellectuals from scholars. I am a second-year UC Davis student and I still exchange e-mails with Mr. Evans and visit with him when I'm back home. Evans is your "Tuesdays with Morrie" type of teacher, the kind of mentor you would truly regret losing touch with. While I have had many exceptional teachers throughout my life (at Westmont included), Mr. Evans was quite simply the most influential. On the last day of class he told us he would always be our teacher even once we've graduated. He often cries in class during the last few days of the year, and I've neglected to mention what a mess the rest of the class is. There's a reason dry eyes don't exist on the last day of a Mr. Evans class, and that reason is Mr. Evans.
Overall, my Westmont experience was a solid 3 stars. I learned a lot but as a whole I was poorly prepared for collegiate study expectations. I particularly enjoyed my Sophomore and Junior years of high school, but a number of factors made my Senior year barely tolerable and ultimately left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm a specific case, but I say it as I see it. This review is already way too long anyway. Parents: If you're hell-bent on the VERY best for your kid(s), I suppose you should start making your checks out to Harker or Mitty. If private school isn't an option for your family, feel no concern about sending your kids to Westmont. It's a perfectly acceptable, safe environment that, in conjunction with proper parenting, will facilitate raising responsible adolescents. read more
