When I first heard the name Harvard-Westlake School, I thought, "Is it affiliated with Harvard University?"

In reality, it has no connection to Harvard University. However, it is a school that carries significant weight in the American education system. If you were to name the most prestigious private schools in LA, this one would almost certainly be included, and among parents, there's a saying that "just getting in alleviates half the worries about college."

Harvard-Westlake operates its middle school (grades 7-9) in Holmby Hills and its high school (grades 10-12) in Studio City. The school was formed in 1991 from the merger of two prestigious schools established in 1900 and 1904, respectively. It has about 1,600 students, and the relatively small class sizes are known for fostering close educational relationships between teachers and students.

Many people are most curious about the tuition. For the 2026-2027 school year, the annual tuition is around $66,000. However, tuition is not the only cost. When you factor in textbooks, laptops, various activity fees, sports and arts programs, field trips, meals, and transportation, many families consider the actual educational expenses to be around $70,000 per year. If you assume one child attends for six years (grades 7-12), the total educational cost can easily exceed $400,000. This is why it is known as a school chosen by many families with significant financial means in LA.

That said, it is not a school that only wealthy families can attend. Harvard-Westlake is one of the private schools in the U.S. that is proactive about financial aid. Families can receive support for part or all of the tuition based on a comprehensive review of their income and assets, and the assistance is provided in the form of grants that do not need to be repaid. In other words, it is free financial support provided directly by the school, not student loans.

The school operates a Need-Blind policy for admissions and financial aid assessments, ensuring that applying for financial aid does not negatively impact admission evaluations.

In fact, a significant number of students receive grants of various sizes, and some students receive full tuition and educational cost support. The school does not operate a large-scale merit scholarship program; the focus of support is on Need-Based Grants that consider family circumstances.

The academic level is among the best in the U.S. A wide variety of AP courses are offered, and math, science, humanities, and arts education all receive high marks. Graduates consistently go on to top universities in the U.S., such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Stanford, Columbia, and Duke. Not only are college admission results strong, but extracurricular activities like debate, music, theater, art, robotics, and sports are also rated among the best in the nation.

Another notable aspect is the alumni network. Due to its proximity to Hollywood, it is known to have many children of directors, actors, broadcasters, businesspeople, and politicians, and many graduates are active in the entertainment industry, Silicon Valley, and finance. Thus, it is highly regarded not just as a good school but also for its networking opportunities.

From San Fernando, it takes about 30-40 minutes to reach the Studio City campus, depending on traffic. Some students commute daily, but many families use carpools or the transportation services provided by the school. The admission process is highly competitive, as it evaluates not only transcripts but also recommendation letters, student essays, interviews, and entrance exams.

Ultimately, Harvard-Westlake is a school that can be difficult to decide on due to its high tuition. However, with abundant grants and financial aid programs that can reduce the financial burden, it is still considered one of the top prestigious private schools in LA, offering a world-class educational environment and college admission success.