| Westland School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
16200 Mulholland Drive , | |
| Information | |
| Type | Private |
| Established | 1949 |
| Grades | K - 6th |
| Enrollment | 130[1] |
| Affiliation | Nonsectarian |
| Website | Official Website |
Westland School is a private elementary school inLos Angeles, California, serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade. Since its founding in 1949, Westland has been defined by its commitment to progressive education, focusing on a curriculum that is both child-centered and deeply rooted in social studies.
Rather than traditional rote learning, the school emphasizes a hands-on approach designed to spark a lifelong curiosity and love of learning in its students. Westland is currently accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), a status it maintains through 2031.
When Westland opened in 1949 it was the firstprogressive school on theWest Coast, operating under the educational philosophy ofJohn Dewey. One of the founders was child psychologist Marie H. Briehl.[1] Students were encouraged to explore their subjects hands-on and were taken on numerous field trips to learn about the world firsthand.[2] Many of the early students were the children of writers and actors under the "Hollywood blacklist", includingCharlie Chaplin,Abraham Polonsky, andRing Lardner, Jr.[2]
The school opened with 13 students in a couple of rented rooms.[2] It expanded in 1957[3] and moved to its current location in 1965, becoming the first school to locate in what has now developed into a major "institutional corridor" in the area of theSepulveda Pass.[4]
Today the school has about 130 students and an annual tuition of around $41,000. The students are divided into "groups" rather than grades, which may include children of varying ages.[5]
The archives of the Westland School reside in the University Library atCalifornia State University, Northridge.[6]
Geography | |
| Neighborhoods | |
Education | |
| Primary and secondary schools | |
| Other education | |
Other | |
| Landmarks | |
34°07′46″N118°29′10″W / 34.129342°N 118.485992°W /34.129342; -118.485992
