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Westtown School, a Quaker, private, co-ed Pre-K-12 day school with boarding options in grades 9 -12, offers a challenging curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity combined with an exceptional level of attention. Westtown School fosters a culture of reflection and self-discovery in which students can ignite the unique spark that illuminates their passion and purpose. Westtown School inspires and prepares graduates to become stewards and leaders of a better world.
Club or Organization: Admission Tour Guides, Amicus (Year book), Amnesty International, Art @ Westtown, Audio / Video Club, Bike Club, Book Club, Brainstorm Club, Brown & White (School Newspaper), Business and Entrepreneurship Club, Chess Club, Chinese Language & Culture Club, CITE (Culture & Identity Through Expression), Classics Club, Computer Science Club, Cooking Club, Dance Club, Debate Club, Debate Team, Disciplinary Council, Drama Club, Earth Club, Epiphanies (Literary Magazine), Fantasy Club, Feminist Advocating for Equality, Film Club, Focus Bible Study, Green Coalition, Habitat for Humanity, Hearts for Hearts (H4H), International Students Organization (ISO), Investment Club, Knitting Club, Magic Club, Math Club, Metal Moose - Team 1391 (Robotics), Mock Trial, Model UN, Photography Club, Poetry Club, Quaker Leadership Program, Rainbow Alliance, Rightly Political, Science Club, Sexual Health Awareness & Education (SHAE), Sports Nutrition Club, Step Club, Student Council, Students of Color Association (SOCA), The Buzz (Worldwide issues Newspaper), Ultimate Frisbee Club, Unite for Her (UFH), Westtown Democrats Association, Women in STEM, Work Program, WT Healthcare Club
Westtown School is a Quaker, private, co-ed Pre-K-12 day school
with boarding options in grades 9 -12 in Chester County,
Pennsylvania. Westtown is located on600 acres of
land, including a 14-acre lake, an arboretum, a natural forest, and
an instructional organic farm.
Students at Westtown are challenged to realize their
intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual potential. Truth,
openness, and honesty are values which undergird the school
community. A spirit of inquiry reigns in the classroom, and
students are encouraged to think creatively, to feel the condition
of others, and to listen to their inner selves. Westtown expects
students to be critical, independent thinkers who can work with a
spirit of cooperation, understanding, and tolerance of the views of
others.
The Westtown experience is defined by rigorous academic
preparation for college, community living in a diverse environment,
weekly Meeting for Worship, and participation in the school`s
unique Work Program. These shared events reflect and teach the
fundamental Quaker values of consensus, nonviolent conflict
resolution, and physical work dignity.
Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
Kevin Roose '15 - A technology columnist for the New York Times and a writer-at-large for the New York Times Magazine, the New York Times bestselling author of two books, named to Forbes' "30 Under 30" and Time's list of the 140 best Twitter feeds.
Jullee Wilson '00 - Senior Fashion Editor at The Huffington Post, and has written for Conde Nast Traveler, Vibe, Real Simple, and Parenting, in addition to serving on the advisory board for Harlem’s Fashion Row.
Don Wildman '79 - Current host and narrator of Off Limits, Mysteries at the Museum, and Monumental Mysteries on the Travel Channel, hosted and narrated Weird Travels that formerly aired on the Travel Channel
Mo Bamba '17 - Profession Basketball Player with the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. Mo was the 6th overall lottery pick to the Orlando Magic in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Celina Tio '88 - A James Beard Award Winning Chef and Certified Cicerone. She has appeared in several cooking series such as Top Chef Masters, Iron Chef America, and The Next Iron Chef.
Westtown School's tuition is approximately $43,250 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Westtown School?
The acceptance rate of Westtown School is 57%, which is lower than the national average of 87%. Westtown School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Pennsylvania with low acceptance rates.
Who are famous alumni from Westtown School?
Westtown School famous alumni include: Kevin Roose '15, Jullee Wilson '00, Don Wildman '79, Mo Bamba '17 and Celina Tio '88.
Does Westtown School offer a summer program?
Yes, Westtown School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does Westtown School offer?
Westtown School offers 17 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Dance, E-sports, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Winter Track and Wrestling. Westtown School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for most sports offered.
When is the application deadline for Westtown School?
The application deadline for Westtown School is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Grades: 1-12 | 207 students7.3 miles 19 E Central Ave Paoli, PA 19301 (610) 640-4150
7.3
1-12
207
School Reviews
5.00 out of 5(10 reviews)
52/27/2020
Westtown prepared me for college both academically and personally. When it came time to send our children to school we chose Westtown. The boarding environment allows students to form strong, healthy relationships with each other and their teachers. Yes, the campus is gorgeous and the facilities like the gym and science center are beautiful, but it is Westtown's commitment to educating the whole child that is really outstanding.
- Posted by Parent - Amica
511/2/2018
My son was passionate about Westtown`s Middle School (not many people can say that about their preteen years!) and is now fully in love with the Upper School. He boards, so he is living the Westtown experience, and I have never seen him happier or more himself. He has access to talented teachers who are committed to students beyond the classroom--a team of favorite individuals who live at school, coach, advise, volunteer, and give of themselves daily. His coursework is intelligent and challenging--ranging from Latin taught in an immersion setting, to an accelerated Algebra 2/ Trig class, to Peace and Justice, a class where students digest the news (as well as history) and share openly. Above all, Westtown offers a small and supportive community--not in word, but in action. They teach students that friendships and mentorships matter. They grow students` confidence, but also their grace. There are plenty of independent schools that are standouts for their academics, facilities, and college placement records. Westtown quite simply offers more.
- Posted by Parent - AC
511/2/2018
Westtown is an amazing educational experience. The teachers are very knowledgeable in their subject matter and teach with passion and enthusiasm. The classes are discussion based and this allows for every student to find their unique voice. The classroom experience at Westtown school is intellectually stimulating and socially engaging. The diversity of the student body allows learning about different places, people, and cultures through the eyes of its amazing international students a very exciting experience.
- Posted by Student/Alumni - N.Yiljep
510/7/2018
Westtown School has an amazing campus that provides a conducive atmosphere for learning, and the discussion-based teaching guides each student to discover their own unique voice.
- Posted by Parent - nyiljep
56/29/2016
One of my favorite things about Westtown is it's sense of community. When you go on a tour, it's something your tour guide is sure to mention, but you don't really begin to understand what they mean until you go to school at Westtown. The people at Westtown, all the people, are what makes it so great. Before I went to school at Westtown, I didn't know the name of every person in my grade, let alone most of the teacher`s names. Now, I can name most people`s full names from my graduating class just because I got to know them on a deeper level. I love that I have become so close to my teachers and that now, even after I graduated, I can go to them with any problems I have or simply come back and visit and be welcomed with open arms.
- Posted by Student/Alumni - rachn
55/17/2016
Westtown's particular academic and social atmosphere truly brought out the best of me during my four years there. Each teacher had a style of teaching that was not only unique to themself but one that was catered to suit any learning style of a student. Likewise, classrooms were set up in such a way that stimulated critical thinking and intellectual discussions. Outside of the classroom I was able to participate in many extracurricular activities such as orchestra and lacrosse which allowed me to interact with a large array of other students and develop close bonds. Not only did Westtown provide me with the education to succeed in my lifetime it also provided memories I will remember for a lifetime.
- Posted by Student/Alumni - joon.
57/24/2015
I graduated a year ago from Westtown and I am very thankful of the four years I spent there with the community. If I had stayed in Korea instead of going to Westtown School, I would have never set foot on this path I am on today. The Westtown community and everything they taught me revolutionized the way I think. Especially the two classes I took, "Religion & Social Change" and "From Hiroshima to 9/11", made me identify my true values. Through individual research papers to group presentations and debates, I gained a lot of knowledge of conflicts around the world and the right set of skill on how to vocalize action to approach them. From helping me have a multicultural and international mindset to expanding my knowledge and set of skills, Westtown taught me how to be a true global citizen.
- Posted by Student/Alumni - bo.ki
57/24/2015
We looked at many schools in New England and Pennsylvania and liked Westtown very much as soon as we - parents and daughter - visited. Our daughter boarded for three years and did extremely well, academically and socially. As parents, we wanted our daughter to grow in values as well as in intellect. She did and Westtown was a great help. She got into her first choice for college, too. We wish we had sent our son there, too.
- Posted by Parent - vicil
56/22/2015
I attended Westtown for fourteen years and boarded my junior and senior year. I am so grateful for the education it gave me- it was truly a unique experience. the community at Westtown is one you will not find anywhere else, and the dedication of it's teachers to giving students new perspectives was something I valued very much. I feel that I came out of high school as a much more socially conscious, responsible, well-informed, and independent person than I would have if I didn't go to Westtown.
- Posted by Student/Alumni - maddi
56/22/2015
I graduated from Westtown School in 2014 and it was my home away from home for 13 years. I grew up with most of my classmates there, and at the time, I didn't think it'd be possible for us to get any closer. To my surprise, that's exactly what happened. After entering the Upper School, I watched as my class almost doubled in size when students started coming from all over the world. My peers and I were able to forge new connections and our bonds only grew stronger when we moved in on dorm together. Living with my classmates helped me to learn more about them in ways that weren't possible within the academic day. Not only did Westtown give me a strong student community, but it also gave me teachers who made me feel like I was a part of a larger family.
- Posted by Student/Alumni - taylo
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