Westtown School - Review #27

Westtown's teaching methods are very unique because they focus on discussion. Instead of drilling hard facts, Westtown's faculty are more interested in engaging the students with the material and getting them to question the content of the course material. In this way, students are not only picking up on significant material, but they're also discovering why the material is important.

Thanks to Westtown, not only have I discovered some life-long friendships, but I've also found two life-long mentors. I learned early on that I like to write and thanks to the programs in place at Westtown, I connected with two amazing alumni who have given me great advice and support. I can honestly say I wouldn't be where I am today without the love and guidance Westtown and its community has consistently given me.

If I could do anything differently, I probably would have done my best to spend more time with my classmates while boarding. Now that I can look back on my Westtown experience, I have more of an appreciation for the time I spent there. All of my 13 years at Westtown has impacted me immensely and I'm grateful to the many incredible peers I got to know while staying there. That being said, make sure you get to know as many people as you can, both students and faculty! It'll astound you how strong of connections you can build with the people around you and what you can learn from any and every individual you come in contact with.

The community, by far. Like I and several other alums have said before, Westtown is a family in it's own right. Its connections run deeper than you think and the relationships you build at Westtown will last you for a lifetime.

Don't be afraid to come out of your shell and take risks. Westtown is one of the safest place to experiment and try new things. Not only will you be embraced for what makes you different, but you'll also be supported in following your dreams.

One of my favorite things about the academics at Westtown is the faculty. Every teacher I had was nothing but receptive and willing to help me with anything I was struggling with, even if that meant meeting with me at dinner to answer a few questions. What's more is that they made the material we were studying purely fascinating. Although the workload could be heavy at times, all the teachers were very understanding and willing to grant extensions when necessary.

I really liked Westtown's sense of cohesiveness when it came to athletics. Not only was the fan-base a force to be reckoned with--a combination of students, teachers, families, and local community members--but even the ties between athletes and their coaches were as strong as they could be. For myself, in particular, one of my strongest ties to Westtown is with my track coach. I still stay in touch with him and go back to visit whenever I can.

The Arts department at Westtown never ceased to astound me with the incredible work they did. Not only were the productions they put on enjoyable, but you could tell that the students who participated in them were very passionate about their performances. Those who took part in the visual arts department, too, produced very beautiful and thought-provoking pieces. What's more is that the art teachers were very encouraging in the student's endeavors.

Westtown has quite the list of student organizations. Whether it's writing for a literary magazine or playing club sports, there's an organization out there for everyone. If there's something unique you wish to do, Westtown also allows for students to start new organizations. That being said, there isn't a lot of time for student organizations to hold meetings. As a result, the clubs really need to be primarily driven by students in order to get things done.

Dorm life at Westtown was very much like living in a smaller community within the Westtown family. Aside from getting to live with fun and entertaining people every day, one of the things I liked most about boarding was getting to gather with friends at any time of day. It could be on dorm in the evening, in a classroom to watch a movie on the weekend, or even getting a dorm parent to drive a van of people out to Starbucks. Better yet, there was always an opportunity to meet new people and to learn something new about my classmates and peers.

Not only does Westtown grow a lot of its own food on campus, but it also buys food from local farms. Additionally, the members of the kitchen staff are a strong part of the campus community, regularly talking with the students on a first name basis. Aside from holiday specials, some of my favorite dining arrangements include Community Dinner, a time when the whole Upper School, students and faculty, share a family style meal together; it's one of those ways Westtown makes the community feel like one big family.

Westtown's campus is by far one of the most beautiful campuses I've ever been on. Some of my favorite pastimes included just taking a walk around the Westtown Lake or walking with my friends to Pete's Produce, a small produce store off of a local farm. That being said, Wawa, grocery stores, and small shopping centers are an easy 10-20 minute van ride away. Even ordering take out is a simple task; students often order food from Domino's, Number 1 China, and Pizza University.

The great thing about Westtown is how amicable people are. Although everyone has their go-to friends, Westtown is just one of those environments where students would feel comfortable talking to any member of the student body. I loved being able to walk down the hallways of the school and be greeted by smiling faces of friends, classmates, and faculty.