US Deans/College Counseling

With the college process still ahead, now is the time for students to explore, take responsibility for their learning, and engage in activities that foster both personal and intellectual discovery. As ninth graders adjust to the academic rigors of high school, the middle school deans encourage them to cultivate strong study habits, pursue their interests, participate in extracurricular activities, and develop a sense of purpose that will enrich their high school experience and shape their future success.

All sophomores are assigned to one of 12 upper school deans to support them in their transition to the upper school. Dean cohorts meet once per academic cycle in a required course called Sophomore Seminar. The curriculum includes lessons on academic success, wellness and health, and personal identity. Deans primarily serve as their students’ academic advisor and college counselor, but also liaise with myriad student-facing departments, such as the counseling team and the Learning Center, to support each student’s needs.

The journey from adolescence to young adult begins here. During this pivotal time, juniors will work closely with their dean to refine their goals, develop their passions, and reflect on what matters most to them. Juniors meet in their dean cohorts once per academic cycle to engage in thoughtful research and introspection and develop a balanced list of colleges that align with their unique needs, values, and aspirations. This methodical approach to the application process ensures that students find colleges where they can thrive academically, socially, and personally. This process encourages students to build connections and identify their purpose as they prepare for their final year of high school.

As seniors prepare for graduation, they will work with their dean to develop a college list that reflects their strengths and preferences, empowering them to take ownership of their future. Through individual and family meetings with deans, senior seminars, and campus-wide workshops, the deans’ comprehensive programming will help seniors navigate the college application process with confidence and clarity.

Over the course of the year, seniors will build mastery in articulating their goals and accomplishments and cultivate the self-determination to make informed decisions about college enrollment and financing as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. This experience will equip students to leave Harvard-Westlake not only with a strong academic foundation but also with the drive and insight to make meaningful contributions to the world.