Westlake High School (Georgia) Explained

Westlake High School
Streetaddress:2400 Union Road S.W.
Zipcode:30331
Url:Westlake High School
Superintendent:Jeff Rose
Principal:Jarvis Adams
Grades:9–12
Ceeb:110258
Mascot:Lion
Colors:Blue, silver, and white
Founded:1988
Ratio:20.75
Staff:118.60 (FTE)
Enrollment:2,461 (2022–23)[1]
Coordinates:33.6917°N -84.579°W
Pushpin Map:USA Georgia#USA

Westlake High School is a comprehensive public high school located in unincorporated Fulton County, Georgia (with an Atlanta mailing address) and is accredited by the Georgia Department of Education and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The academic growth rate for Westlake students was higher than 95% of schools in the state and was above the state average in college readiness in 2019.[2] [3]

History

As a part of the Fulton County School System consolidation plan, Westlake was formed in 1988 by the closing of Westwood and Lakeshore High Schools. The new school used the old Westwood facility until 2008, when Westlake moved into a new state-of-the-art school next to the old campus. Feeder schools include Sandtown Middle School and Camp Creek Middle School.

In the 2012-13 school year, the school received favorable media coverage when CNN's HLN news broadcast a feature segment on then Westlake principal Dr. Grant Rivera and his efforts in engaging students, parents, and faculty in achieving academic and extra-curricular success in today's challenging social environment.[4]

In 2016 the old campus was used for exterior and interior shots for the Lionsgate film, Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life.[5]

In 2020 Principal Jamar Robinson and his wife both drowned while on vacation.[6]

Magnet program

Westlake's Math/Science Magnet Program prepares students for the academic and career fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through rigorous instruction, relevant experiences, and supportive relationships.

Goals

The magnet program at Westlake seeks to provide an academically rigorous foundation for math, science, engineering, and media-based careers. Students are exposed to courses that offer real-world problems and inquiry-based instruction. The program develops partnerships with universities and businesses so that students have access to relevant instructional and internship experiences in medical science, engineering, and media. Students are also encouraged to participate in academic, athletic, and artistic extracurricular activities that support their achievement.

Magnet programs of study

Westlake's magnet program is modeled after college programs in medical science, engineering, and computer science. Each course of study has associated extracurricular clubs and teams, as well as junior and senior summer research internship opportunities available at both Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University. Students attend monthly forums with guest speakers from college and industry on topics ranging from college planning to careers.

Recent achievements

Application requirements

Students wishing to participate in the magnet program must live in Fulton County and must meet academic criteria, including having taken Algebra I in 8th grade, having a minimum grade of 80/100 in all math and science classes, failing no classes, and having a minimum cumulative average of 80.

Athletics programs

Boys' tennis

In both 2011 and 2012 the Westlake boys' tennis team made it to the GHSA state finals.[7]

Boys' basketball

Girls' basketball

Girls' track and field

Dance

New facility

Construction for a new Westlake facility began in October 2006 and the facility officially opened in August 2008, housing over 2,500 high school students in 99 classrooms. The architectural firm of Gardner, Spencer, Smith, Tench & Jarbeau, P.C. designed the new building while H.J. Russell & Company handled the initial phase of construction.[14] The school had previously been housed in the old Westlake High School building since its opening in 1988. Prior to 1988, the building housed Westwood High School. The MTV show Finding Carter was filmed at the older facility, adjacent to the new one.

Notable alumni

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Westlake High School. National Center for Education Statistics. April 28, 2024.
  2. Web site: About Us . Fulton School . Fulton County Georgia . 4 July 2022.
  3. Web site: Georgia School Grade Report . Georgia.Gov . Governor's Office of Student Achievement . 4 July 2022.
  4. News: HLN. CNN.
  5. Web site: Leslie . Jennifer . Local schools are cashing in on movies and tv shows . 11Alive . 7 November 2016 . 4 July 2022.
  6. Web site: Dukes . Deidra . Fulton County principal, wife drown during Puerto Rico vacation . Fox5 Atlanta . 11 November 2020 . Fox . 4 July 2022.
  7. Web site: Westlake Boys Tennis Team are Region Champions and going for State Title today. 11 May 2012. Cascade, GA Patch.
  8. Web site: GHSA Boys Basketball Champions. 2007-09-17.
  9. News: Saye. Chip. Class AAAAAAA girls: Westlake 60, Newton 45. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. AJC Sports. 17 March 2018.
  10. Web site: Awtrey . Stan . Class AAAAAAA Girls: Westlake 60, Collins Hill 53 . AJC . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . 4 July 2022.
  11. Web site: Kohn . Adam . Class AAAAAAA girls final: Westlake 72, Collins Hill 53 . AJC . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . 4 July 2022.
  12. Web site: Saye . Chip . Girls basketball player of year: Westlake's Raven Johnson . AJC . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . 4 July 2022.
  13. Web site: Lawlor . Christopher . Girls Final . Geico Hoops . Geico . 4 July 2022.
  14. Web site: Groundbreaking set for new Westlake High. September 22, 2006. 2007-06-12. Fulton County Schools. https://web.archive.org/web/20070927011533/http://www.fultonschools.org/story_detail.asp?id=1720. 2007-09-27.
  15. Web site: Indianapolis Colts: Edwin Jackson . 2016-01-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160206071759/http://www.colts.com/team/roster/edwin-jackson/1c4f81de-5221-4dbe-8a9a-70d9107ee689/ . 2016-02-06 . dead .
  16. Web site: Edwin Jackson - Football. Georgia Southern University Athletics.
  17. Web site: ABOUT LBJ. 2020-11-30. ladawnjones. en.
  18. https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5909569 Auburn Tigers' Cam Newton wins Heisman Trophy despite scandal

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