Westover School
- Private, Boarding, All-Girls
- MIDDLEBURY, CT
All-Girls School
Westover School
- grade A+Overall Grade
- Private, Boarding, All-Girls
- 9-12
- MIDDLEBURY, CT
- Rating 4.06 out of 5 81 reviews
Westover School Reviews
Rating 4.06 out of 5 81 reviews
I am hesitant to give Westover 5 stars due to the quality of food and aspects of the dorm life that fail in comparison to many other boarding high schools. Additionally, the teacher turnover is quite concerning. However, during my time at Westover I learned how to be more independent and additional life skills that I would have missed out on had I not attended. Once I got to college, I felt much more prepared than many of my classmates who had never attended a boarding school and my transition was quite easy. In my college courses, I have never felt I wasn't adequately prepared and I attribute that to the quality of academics at Westover. Would I send my future child to Westover? Probably not. However, if I myself could go back in time, I would choose Westover all over again.
I have met so many amazing people during my time at Westover and it is a really special type of community.
Scarred for life by my experience here… truly horrible. Everyone is fake and focused on only the outside perception of the school. Many girls have depression and are miserable but they are ignored and forced to hide their true feelings about the school.
I graduated from Westover roughly ten years ago. I continue to reflect fondly on my experience and am thankful that my four years at Westover provided me with the tools to excel in college, graduate school, and in my professional career. The strong sense of community that one feels as student persists outside of our small campus. The friendships live on well past graduation day. Westover students have a unique passion, eagerness, and strength to challenge societal norms with the intention of bettering our communities.
This school definitely changed my life. I am more confident and well versed in all areas. I know I have made my life long friends and will enjoy revisiting in. the future!
Great things about Westover: fun traditions, sociable people, college preparatory-type academics, satisfactory arts program, decent facilities
Terrible things: Food, day student-boarder discrepancies, dorms, ever-changing faculty, dishonesty with the administration to students, mediocre diversity with little taught diversity-sensitivity, absolutely no free time.
Terrible things: Food, day student-boarder discrepancies, dorms, ever-changing faculty, dishonesty with the administration to students, mediocre diversity with little taught diversity-sensitivity, absolutely no free time.
Amazing school! I've visited Westover last year on January! It's fantastic!!! People there are friendly and helpful, students fully engage activities! So amazing...
Westover touts itself for being feminist, for being interested in social justice, for really caring, but the truth is, money will always come first for this institution, as for many other institutions. This is not unique to Westover, but before families drop this much money for high school, you have to keep in mind that choices will be made, are being made, that do not benefit the student but rather protect capital. Any kind of challenge to maintaining structures of whiteness, cis-ness, class was met with resentment. There are many surface level ways they support poc, queer people, neurodivergence, but the larger structural changes will not be meet, because the traditions and structures that the rich, older alum will donate to keep going are rooted in Christian, white values of New England.
Westover is a great school, the thing I love the most is the community of kind, helpful, and interesting people. The teachers are really good at helping students one on one if you're struggling with anything, and seem to really care about their students.
An amazing environment filled with extremely encouraging students and faculty! I can not imagine attending another school as supportive and challenging as WO.
I got bullied and no one did anything even when I reported. Kids are racist and mean. Academics are the only good thing. I'm glad I moved schools.
As a senior who just graduated virtually because of COVID-19, I could not be more grateful to be a part of the Westover community. Because of Westover, I’ve met my lifelong friends, gotten out of my shell, and been given so many opportunities, especially in leadership. The one thing I would warn about Westover is the administration and the lack of recognition for certain students who do not straight have straight A‘s or are not a widespread faculty favorite, despite their contributions to the community. Recently there has been a lot of turnover and many traditions are being changed, despite the students opinions. However, if you are considering Westover for high school I would undoubtably recommend it. Although Westover is rapidly changing because of this new administration, one thing that I know will stay the same is the tightknit community. Westover has been a home to me for the past four years and I am absolutely heartbroken at the fact that I will not be returning in the fall.
I would give westover less if i could. They do not care about students and they have made 3 major schedule changes in 3 years. they do not consult students and the administration is insensitive. Julie (head of school) does not know any students and does not seem to care.
I loved my experience at Westover. The school is filled with teachers who want to see you succeed. The school offers incredible support to allow students to feel comfortable and confident while pushing themselves out of their comfort zone.
Westover is an all-girls college-preparatory boarding school. Upon first glance, I felt intimidated- I wasn't sure I was going to fit in, however, my experience now has shown me otherwise. My experience with Westover has been a total learning experience. Coming into a school where I didn't know anyone, I quickly made it home. Everyone being so welcoming with open arms motivated me - It motivated me to apply for the freshman student council, which I ended up being accepted into. It motivated me to try new things that I hadn't before. My learning experience has to be amazing, as I got paired with a great advisor who has helped me add new classes and has guided me with techniques to better organize myself. My dorm life has been even more a thrill- having a roommate was something I had to grow into, and now I am with much joy when it comes to having one. The relationships I have made seem life long, along with the confidence I have gained.
Westover is an amazing all-girls high school, and I have never questioned my decision. There are many old traditions throughout the school year which helps to bring the community together. The connection with alums is also very strong and many sit on the board and visit the school regularly, which helps to keep the school very grounded. The diversity at Westover is not the best, but the Raisin Center (diversity center, etc.) is doing its best to help students of color feel welcomed and appreciated. If you are looking to send your child to a school for athletics, you should know that although Westover's music and art departments are thriving, its athletic program is not the most competitive. The teachers and school culture are probably the reason I would send my own daughter here in the future.
As a WO parent, I can honestly say my daughters have had a wonderful experience. The student to teacher ratio is exceptional and students are encouraged to work outside their comfort zones. There has been tremendous effort to increase diversity (race/ethnicity as well as economic) and day students are wholly integrated into the community. It is a small school, so there can be issues with cliques but the school encourages the girls to speak directly to each other to resolve conflict, which I like. There is a commitment to community service and there are often very interesting art exhibits and guest speakers. The atmosphere is more like college, which prepares students to enter university.
As a current college student who recently graduated from Westover School, I can proudly state that going to Westover was easily the best decision I could have ever made. I have made lifelong friends and connections with all of the faculty members there. If I ever need help, I know I can always count on the Westover community.
Westover is absolutely amazing both academically and community-wise. It has pushed me farther than I could have reached otherwise, and I will be forever grateful for the lessons it has taught me, both inside and outside the classroom.
This school caters to both day students and borders. All of the staff and students are really caring. The academics are great and their campus is beautiful. However, I personally think that they have too many required team building traditions and social activities.