Harvard-Westlake has made two deliberate choices that shape how its transcripts read: it caps how many Honors courses a student can take each year, and beginning in 2025–26 it no longer offers AP-designated courses. Its profile explains both to colleges, along with a counseling model built around deans rather than a separate college office. This guide draws on the 2025–26 profile.
At a glance
- School
- Independent college-preparatory day school for grades 7–12, formed from the Harvard School (founded 1900) and the Westlake School for Girls (1904); Upper School campus in Studio City1
- Enrollment
- 1,627 students; 884 in the Upper School, including 302 seniors1
- AP
- No AP-designated courses beginning in 2025–26; AP exams are still offered1
- Honors limits
- 58 Honors courses, with maximums of two in 9th grade, three in 10th, and five each in 11th and 12th1
- Grading
- Weighted and unweighted GPAs reported; Honors and AP courses earn an extra point in the weighted GPA1
- Class rank
- Not ranked1
- Testing
- Class of 2026 averages of highest scores: SAT reading 717, SAT math 726, ACT composite 321
- AP exams
- 1,212 AP exams schoolwide in 2025; 97% scored 3 or above1
- Counseling
- Each student is assigned one of twelve Upper School Deans at the start of sophomore year, who advises academically and counsels through college applications1
- Independent work
- Senior Independent Study, Directed Study courses, and 23 courses through the Kutler Center for Interdisciplinary Studies and Independent Research1
Facts last verified: September 2026, using the school's 2025–26 profile. Numbers point to the sources at the end of this guide. Schools update these details every year; confirm them with the school.
Honors Maximums: Rigor by Design
According to the profile, Harvard-Westlake offers 58 Honors courses and, "to encourage more authentic and balanced curricular choices," limits how many a student can take: two in freshman year, three in sophomore year, and five each in junior and senior years. The Class of 2026 was the first to have those limits apply for all four years.
This matters for how colleges read a transcript. The counselor's school report rates each student's course selection "in comparison with other college preparatory students at your school," so at Harvard-Westlake the most demanding schedule is defined within those caps. A student who takes the maximum Honors load, in the subjects that matter most to them, is taking the most rigorous path available. Families shouldn't look for ways around the limits; colleges read them in the profile.
No More AP-Designated Courses
Beginning in 2025–26, Harvard-Westlake "will no longer offer AP-designated courses," though students can still take AP exams. Its advanced courses now carry Honors designations, including Honors versions of subjects many schools offer as AP, and advanced math such as Linear Algebra and Multivariable Calculus. Our guide to transcripts without AP or class rank explains how colleges read schools that have made this shift.
AP exams can still be useful: a strong score can earn college credit or placement, and it gives an outside measure in a subject. The profile reports that in 2025, students took 1,212 AP exams schoolwide, and 97% scored 3 or above.
Weighted GPA, No Rank
Harvard-Westlake reports both weighted and unweighted GPAs, with Honors and AP courses earning an extra point in the weighted calculation, and it doesn't rank. For California residents, the University of California applies its own formula, giving extra weight only to UC-approved honors-level courses and capping the total, as our UC application guide explains.
The Deans Model
Rather than handing students to a separate college counseling office in junior year, Harvard-Westlake assigns each student to one of twelve Upper School Deans at the start of sophomore year. That dean advises on academics and counsels the student through the college application process over the next three years. The profile describes this as a commitment to "holistic counseling."
That continuity is an advantage: the person writing the counselor letter has known the student since 10th grade. Families who add outside support should coordinate with the dean, especially on course choices within the Honors limits and on early application plans.
Independent Study and Programs Away
The profile lists several ways to go beyond the standard curriculum: Senior Independent Study, designed by the student and evaluated by a faculty mentor and committee; Directed Study courses; and 23 courses through the Kutler Center for Interdisciplinary Studies and Independent Research. Students can also spend a semester or year away through programs such as School Year Abroad, the Mountain School, and the School for Ethics and Global Leadership. When one of these reflects a genuine interest, it can become the center of an application. Our guide to research and passion projects covers how to present it.
Related Guides
- College Admissions for Los Angeles Private School Students
- Applying to College from a Private School
- The UC Application and Personal Insight Questions
- College Admissions at The Harker School
- College Admissions at Menlo School
Families who want an additional adviser can work with Passage Point Admissions virtually from anywhere in the U.S.; our private school college counseling is designed to complement a student's dean or school counselor.
FAQs
Common questions from Harvard-Westlake families
Does Harvard-Westlake still offer AP courses?
Not as AP-designated courses. According to its 2025–26 profile, Harvard-Westlake no longer offers AP-designated courses beginning that year, but it continues to offer AP exams.
How many Honors courses can a Harvard-Westlake student take?
The profile lists maximums of two Honors courses in freshman year, three in sophomore year, and five each in junior and senior years.
Does Harvard-Westlake rank its students?
No. It reports both weighted and unweighted GPAs, with an extra point for Honors and AP courses in the weighted GPA, and does not rank.
Who handles college counseling at Harvard-Westlake?
Each student is assigned one of twelve Upper School Deans at the start of sophomore year, who advises on academics and counsels the student through the college application process.
Is Passage Point affiliated with Harvard-Westlake?
No. Passage Point Admissions is an independent counseling firm based in South Florida. This guide is editorial and based on the school's published materials.
Passage Point Admissions is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Harvard-Westlake School. This guide is editorial, based on the school's published materials listed below, and does not reflect any relationship with the school. If anything here is out of date, please let us know; our editorial standards explain how we correct guides.
Sources & Further Reading
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