SeattleChange
West lake Auditorium Upcoming Event Dates & Tickets
About this Venue
Westlake High School is a comprehensive, four-year public high school. Westlake HS consistently receives recognition at all levels, including its rank among the 100 best high schools in the country by Newsweek magazine. It is one of just a few large, comprehensive high schools in the state to be rated Exemplary and exceeds both regional and state standardized test score averages in all categories.
Westlake HS students excel academically, as well as in music, arts and athletics. WHS consistently boasts impressive numbers in the National Merit competition, as a record 44 finalists received the honor in 2010. Traditionally, about 95 percent of students continue their education after graduation; since 2012 that number has remained above 98%.
Westlake High School offers a full slate of Advanced Placement courses, a Career and Technical Education program, an acclaimed Performing Arts department, as well as special support programs such as The Learning Center and Adult Transition Services.
The Westlake campus has grown considerably since its original 1969 construction. In 2008-09, the latest addition was a choir room. At that same time, the Library and Media Center and Performing Arts Center were renovated using bond funds.
Westlake: The Early Years
In 1967 the Eanes area was faced with a second critical decision when AISD informed EISD that it would no longer be able to take Eanes’ older students. Citizens were faced with the choice of joining AISD or going it alone. A Citizens’ Advisory Committee was formed to investigate the question, which it did before recommending to the Board that EISD retain its independence and build a high school. The committee urged the Board to “adopt a program that would provide a junior-senior high school of above-average quality. The high standards of excellence prevailing must be maintained.” The School Board voted to follow the recommendation and authorized a bond election to fund the high school. The community was seriously split on this issue, and it was compounded by 2 factors: busing to achieve integration in Austin and 2) the resignation of Supt. Hilton Pankratz, who had favored continued independence. On May 21, 1968, a $2.9 million bond issue was passed, 708 to 564. By September a 48-acre site that had once been a corn field and cow pasture and lay approximately ½ mile from Eanes School, was purchased from Randolph Johnson. Even after a construction contract was awarded, disgruntled residents who favored consolidation managed to get the question back on the ballot; on April 5, 1969 AGAIN voted on this issue and the vote was in favor, 1,000-601. The School Board then hired Darrel Williams as Superintendent and Tom Hestand as principal of the new school. The new school was named, the Chaparral was chosen as a mascot, and Red, White and Blue were chosen as school colors. The new school’s first year of classes were held in portable buildings and the first classes in the new building were held August 31, 1970.
