Westlake High School (Georgia)

Westlake High School
Address
2400 Union Road S.W.
Atlanta, Georgia, 30331
United States
Coordinates 33°41′30″N 84°34′45″W / 33.691715°N 84.579045°W / 33.691715; -84.579045Coordinates: 33°41′30″N 84°34′45″W / 33.691715°N 84.579045°W / 33.691715; -84.579045
Information
Type Public high school
Founded 1988
School board Fulton County Schools
Superintendent Robert Avossa
Principal Alexandra Bates
Grades 9–12
Enrollment 2088 (July 2015)
Color(s) Blue, Silver, White               
Nickname Lions
Feeder schools Sandtown Middle School, Camp Creek Middle School
Website Westlake High School

Westlake High School is a high school located in Fulton County, Georgia. Westlake is notable for its football program. In 2005, the school had six graduates on NFL rosters, more than any high school in the nation.[1]

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.

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.[2]

Magnet program

Westlake's Math/Science Magnet Program prepares students for the academic and career fields of math, science, engineering, and technology 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 criertia, including having taken Algebra I in 8th grade, having a minimum grade of 80/100 in all math and science classes, no failing classes, and a minimum cumulative average of 80.

Athletics

In both 2011 and 2012 the Westlake boys' tennis team made it to the GHSA state finals. It marked the first time that an all African American squad had made it to that stage in Georgia's highest classification.[4]

The 2015 Westlake Lions' varsity football squad repeated as regional champions and advanced to the GHSA state quarterfinals. The squad featured several players that are reportedly recruited by several of the nation's prominent university football powers including Alabama, LSU, and Georgia.

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.[5] The school had previously been housed in the old Westwood High School building since its opening in 1988. The MTV show Finding Carter is now filmed at the older facility, adjacent to the new one.

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ Tide's Warmack a product of a high school that is a pipeline to the pros, al.com; accessed January 3, 2015.
  2. ↑ http://www.hlntv.com/video/2012/09/18/back-school-principal-grant-rivera
  3. 1 2 3 4 "GHSA Boys Basketball Champions". Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  4. ↑ http://patch.com/georgia/cascade/westlake-boys-tennis-team-are-region-champions-and-go5ec80c87eb
  5. ↑ "Groundbreaking set for new Westlake High". Fulton County Schools. September 22, 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-06-12.
  6. ↑ http://www.colts.com/team/roster/edwin-jackson/1c4f81de-5221-4dbe-8a9a-70d9107ee689/
  7. ↑ http://gseagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=940
  8. ↑ Auburn Tigers' Cam Newton wins Heisman Trophy despite scandal, Sports.espn.go.com (2010-12-13); retrieved 2013-08-16.
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