Westridge School
Westridge School is an independent day school for girls in grades 4-12. Founded in 1913, Westridge is located in Pasadena, California.
Founding
Mary Lowther Ranney
Westridge founder Mary Lowther Ranney moved to Pasadena in 1904 when she was 34 years old. A trained architect and educator, she had graduated from Kemper Hall Academy in Kenosha, Wisconsin, attended classes at the newly established University of Chicago, and taught at the University School for Girls in Chicago.Soon after arriving in Pasadena, Ranney's family purchased a lot at 440 Arroyo Terrace, where they would build a house designed by Ranney herself. Ranney worked for many years with the Greene and Greene architectural firm, and taught privately in Pasadena. Before long, two Pasadena mothers—Margaret Brackenridge and Alexander Duer—began planning a school for girls near the Arroyo Seco, and Ranney was their choice of headmistress.
College preparatory school
From day one, Ranney intended for Westridge to be a school that prepared girls for college—a novel idea in 1913, when most girls did not attend college.Almost immediately, enrollment exceeded expectations. Ranney intended for Westridge to be located at the home she shared with her parents on State Street, but as a result of the overwhelming registration of 21 students during the summer of 1913, the Ranneys acquired a larger house on Madeline Drive and opened the doors of Westridge.
Campus history and highlights
Today, the Westridge campus provides an idyllic park-like setting in a residential neighborhood. The campus is distinguished not only by its welcoming beauty, but also by an unusually rich architectural heritage. The main building, designed by Marston, VanPelt & Maybury and built in 1923 on the site of the original school, houses classrooms, administrative offices, and one of the school's four technology centers. The Burgess Exhibition Gallery in the main hall features student art exhibits throughout the year.Herrick Quadrangle, behind the main building, is bordered with both historic and contemporary architecture. Adjoining the main building are the Joan Irvine Smith '36 Academic Research Center and Braun Music Center, which is home to the Howard S. Swan Choral Hall.
The Braun Music Center was designed in 1909 by architect Frederick L. Roehrig, also known for designing the Green Hotel and the Tournament of Roses House in Pasadena, as a private gymnasium and theatre for a family living on Orange Grove Boulevard. In 1958, Westridge parent Henry Dreyfuss added a larger and more functional stage to Braun Music Center.
Three other significant buildings on the Quad were designed by Pasadena architect Whitney R. Smith: the Seeley G. Mudd Science Building, with three fully equipped Upper School laboratories and a computer technology center, the Laurie and Susan Frank Art Studio and the Hoffman Gymnasium. The Richard N. Frank Athletic Field and Ranney Lawn provide recreational spaces for all grades.
In 1997, the school began a building program to enable the campus to better serve the needs of Westridge students and the space demands of an expanded, modern curriculum. Pica & Sullivan Architects designed the Marjorie May Braun '36 Science Building and the Karsh Family Science Garden that contain science classrooms and outdoor study spaces specifically designed for Lower and Middle School students. In April 2000, Westridge dedicated the Anne F. and James F. Rothenberg Humanities Center. The three-building complex also designed by Pica & Sullivan Architects, contains humanities classrooms and faculty offices, Upper School art studios and photography labs, art and photography exhibition space, the school's largest technology lab, and the Herrick Commons dining room.In 2004, Westridge unified the north and south campuses with the creation of Madeline Court. The following year brought the addition of the Rokus Athletic Complex where Tiger soccer and softball teams host games on new regulation fields. Dance is taught in Brown Studio and athletes take advantage of the Studenmund weight-training room.
In 2005, the Fran Norris Scoble Performing Arts Center opened. The facility includes a 600-seat auditorium, the Wagener Black Box Theater and the Seiter Family Amphitheater.
The oldest and most architecturally significant building sits on the southeast corner of the campus. Pitcairn House, built in 1906 by the architectural firm of Greene and Greene, is a classic example of the California Bungalow style and is often pictured in books on the architecture of that period. Pitcairn House is the location of the school's business, communications, and advancement offices. It was previously the location of the art department.
Faculty and administration
Elizabeth J. McGregor became the school's 11th head of school on July 1, 2008. There are also two academic division directors on the administrative team: a director of Upper School and a director of Lower & Middle School.Westridge has 75 faculty members, and more than half of them have over ten years of teaching experience. Two-thirds of Westridge faculty hold advanced degrees.
The college counseling office is staffed by four counselors.
School traditions
Westridge has seen a number of traditions come and go throughout its century of existence. Some of the most beloved are:- All School Day. All School Day is a day that occurs in the spring during which the Associated Student Body organizes activities, food, and a movie for the entire school to relax and have fun. The day's theme is announced at a special assembly that morning. Previous themes have been "Disneyridge," "All Around the World," "British Invasion," and "Time Warp Westridge."
- Greek and Roman. At the beginning of each school year, all new students, faculty, and staff are initiated in Westridge’s longstanding tradition of either becoming a Greek or a Roman. If a relation of a student attended the school earlier, the student will be placed in whichever group her relation was in. It is a lighthearted rivalry with fun and games at the beginning of each year in a sorting ceremony. Points are awarded throughout the year through various activities and a trophy is presented at the end of the school year to whichever side has garnered the most points.
- Junior Ring Ceremony. The first annual Ring Ceremony was held in 1936 and to this day occurs every April. During this ceremony, the junior class receives their class rings, which are embossed with the school seal, containing the school’s founding date, the school motto Surgere Tentamus, the oil lamp, and ivy. The Each girl receives her ring from the Head of School and a white rose from the Mistress of the Rings, a member of the junior class who found the golden ring in the annual Ring Cake Ceremony. This ceremony marks the juniors' passage into being seniors.
- Yam Festival. In November, the school holds the annual Yam Festival, where parents and students bring yam dishes originating from places all around the globe. This tradition began in 1998 to help represent the African-American community at Westridge and has become something every student enjoys and looks forward to.
- Holiday Concert. Before winter break, Westridge holds a Holiday Concert in which girls from the Lower School chorus, Middle School chorus and orchestra, and Upper School Glee Club and orchestra perform holiday music. The fourth graders always have a special song to perform, which is kept a secret until the day of the concert.
- Senior Skits. The last assembly before winter break is known as the "senior skits" assembly, where the senior class prepares a comedic sketch of lighthearted impersonations of teachers to entertain the school community.
- Big and Little Sisters. Students from all grades participate in Big and Little Sisters, where students are assigned into a "Family." Families meet every few months to participate in activities to bond, like making Christmas cards. This tradition is a way for younger students to develop friendships with older students. Big Sisters are seen as role models for Little Sisters. The families are now assigned based upon girl's Greek/Roman affiliation, and they continue each year. The families traditionally meet once at the beginning of the year, again before holiday break, and once during the spring.
- Petridge. On the last day of school, students are invited to bring their pets to campus as part of this Lower School learning project and pet-friendly community fundraiser that benefits animal welfare organizations.
- Vespers. Vespers is a year-end event the evening before Commencement held for seniors and their families to celebrate their time at Westridge. Traditionally, there is a keynote speaker who either was selected by the class or has served as a class adviser. Students also perform musical numbers, poetry, and more during the event.
- Homecoming. Each year, the week following winter break, the Athletic Department hosts Homecoming which is an amazing tradition for alumna to return to campus to cheer on their fellow tigers in a variety of sports competitions. It is a great way for alumna to return and be completely immersed in the tiger spirit and reminisce on their experiences at Westridge.
- Junior Senior Chant. Directly following each assembly or all school gathering, as the grades are dismissed one by one, the Junior and Senior classes take turns chanting at each other. The seniors begin, juniors follow, and seniors finish, ending the whole experience with "Seniors rule!"
- Senior Privileges. Once achieving senior status at Westridge, preceded by good behavior, seniors are granted their senior privileges. This grants students the flexibility to go off campus during free periods and breaks. They also are allowed to wear college sweatshirts to class, and flip flops and open toe shoes whenever they please. Finally, seniors are given free dress every friday and have senior breakfast once a month where parent volunteers provide a feast for students before school on that Friday morning.
Uniform
Interim
Interim is an opportunity for students that happens the week before spring break. This grants students the availability to take their studies outside of the classroom and possibly travel to different parts of the world, country, or even city and county of Los Angeles. The trips are announced to the Upper School in the Interim Booklet and students are asked to rank and submit the trips. Through a lottery system, taking into account seniority, students are placed on trips to different places all over. The trips are international, domestic, and local and incorporate a variety of experiences to give students a well rounded experience. These trips occur the week before spring break and are a great travel opportunity.Student groups and organizations
Clubs and affinities
Clubs and affinity groups at Westridge join girls with similar interests together to share knowledge, spread passion, and affect change. Students lead and participate in a wide range of clubs including: Alliance, Amnesty International, Animal Club, Art, Asian Culture, Chess Club, Classic Films & TV, Girls Who Code, Green Guerillas, Help Africa, Junior Classical League, Korean Culture, LINK, Math Club, Model United Nations, Red Cross, Science Olympiad/Robotics, Speech & Debate, Spyglass, Students for Social Justice, Theater Club, UNITY, Water Warriors, World Issues Club, Young Democrats, Young Republicans, and Zine Club.Affinity groups include: Black Student Union, Christian Affinity, Latin Affinity, LGBTQ Affinity, Middle Eastern Affinity, Muslim Affinity, and more.
Student Voices
In addition to clubs and affinities, there are many groups at Westridge dedicated to creating spaces for discussion among the student body. One such group is Westridge Student Voices, a student-led leadership group that addresses topics related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. Student Voices is composed of Affinity Heads and Student Diversity Leadership Conference and White Privilege Conference delegates. With a focused group of students, Student Voices raises awareness about local and global issues and events through assemblies, town meetings, and lunch talks.Westridgettes
Another beloved student group on campus is the Westridgettes. Known for their Tigers spirit and their green skirts embellished with puffy paint, the Westridgettes are the student cheer squad that performs with the tiger mascot at assemblies and school events. Each Westridgette's skirt represents a different theme or aspect of the school, and there are currently 12 Westridgette skirts that align with athletics, drama, dance, prep, the Tiger mascot, and various student affinity groups. The Westridgettes have a long history at Westridge, with their origins in the late 1970s. Previously, the Westridgettes were called the "Tigettes," and wore orange t-shirts, green gym shorts, and tiger feet.Summer Opportunities Fairhttp://www.westridge.org/sof.html Summer Opportunities Fair, Westridge School
In early spring, Westridge hosts the annual Summer Opportunities Fair, a community service event founded in 1991 that provides a venue for parents and children to learn about summer programs. SOF is free and open to the public, and local, national, and international program options are available for girls and boys, pre-K through 12th grade.The fair, held on the Westridge campus, attracts over 2,000 people each year.
Notable alumnae
- Florence Lowe "Pancho" Barnes '19, early aviator, proprietor of The Happy Bottom Riding Club in Mojave, California and friend of America's best known test pilots
- Julia Child, celebrated chef, author, and television personality
- Harriet Doerr '27, author of the American Book Award winning novel, Stones for Ibarra
- Joan Hotchkis '45, author, playwright, and actress
- Anne Kursinski '76, world champion rider and member of four Olympic Equestrian Teams
- Sigrid Burton '69, artist and painter
- Inger Miller '90, runner, Olympic gold medalist
- Stacey Tappan '91, Leading Soprano opera singer
- Megan McGinnis '96, Broadway actress, singer
- Sophia Bush '00, actress, 82nd Rose Queen for the 111th Tournament of Roses Parade in 2000, Brooke Davis in One Tree Hill, and Detective Erin Lindsay on Chicago P.D.
- Lauren Gibbs '02, bobsledder, USA National Women's Team, 2018 Winter Olympic silver medalist
- Rebecca Rittenhouse '07, Actress Blood & Oil
- Erica Wu '14, table tennis player, 2012 Olympian
Memberships and affiliations
Additionally, the school is a member of the following organizations:
- National Association of Independent Schools
- National Coalition of Girls' Schools
- The College Board
- The National Association for College Admission Counseling
- The National Association of Principals of Schools for Girls
- A Better Chance, Inc.
- The Cum Laude Society
- Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education
- The Independent School Alliance for Minority Affairs.