How to Get Into Westside Neighborhood School: The Best Guide to Getting In

Why Choose Westside Neighborhood School

Westside Neighborhood School (WNS) is an independent, coeducational day school in the Playa Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles, serving preschool through 8th grade. Known for its warm community, focus on character development, and commitment to innovation in education, WNS blends academic excellence with social-emotional learning, global awareness, and equity.

The school prides itself on offering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where students are encouraged to be critical thinkers, compassionate citizens, and confident leaders. Small class sizes and a robust advisory program support a student-centered approach, with emphasis on hands-on learning and interdisciplinary studies.

WNS was founded in 1980 by a group of parents and educators who envisioned a school that felt like an extended family. Their mission was to create a nurturing, inclusive environment where children could thrive both academically and personally. Initially located in West Los Angeles, WNS relocated to its current campus in Playa Vista in 2005 to accommodate growing enrollment and to expand its facilities.

Over the decades, WNS has evolved from a small community school into a well-regarded institution in the LA independent school scene. Its move to a purpose-built, eco-conscious campus allowed the school to invest in cutting-edge learning spaces, including science labs, a performing arts center, and a gymnasium. The addition of a middle school program further solidified its reputation for preparing students for top-tier high schools.

How hard is it to get into Westside Neighborhood School?

Gaining admission to Westside Neighborhood School (WNS) is a thoughtful and personalized journey, reflecting the school’s strong academic values and commitment to community. With an average class size of around 12 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 6:1, WNS ensures that each child receives the individualized attention they need to thrive.

The admissions process begins with an online application, available starting in August. Standardized testing is not required, and WNS does not use tests like the ISEE or SSAT in its admissions decisions. However, families may optionally submit the Character Skills Snapshot. The priority deadline for preschool through kindergarten is usually in December, and the final deadline for all other grades is by January. Applications submitted after this date will be considered on a rolling basis as space allows.

Westside Neighborhood School’s admissions approach is holistic, placing greater emphasis on interviews, teacher recommendations, academic records, and family engagement than on test scores. This student-centered model supports the school’s mission of cultivating not just scholars, but kind, creative, and curious young leaders.

Given the competitiveness of the process, families may benefit from working with private school admissions consultants who understand the ins and outs of the Westside Neighborhood School admissions process. Consultants can provide valuable guidance in presenting a compelling application and ensuring prospective students stand out in a highly selective pool of candidates.

Westside Neighborhood School Admissions Process: Step-by-Step Guide for Applicants

Westside Neighborhood School (WNS) uses the WNS Parent Portal as its application platform. All application components—including the online form, scheduling parent conversations and student visits, uploading teacher recommendations, and submitting transcripts—are managed through this portal.

Westside Neighborhood School Application Steps

1. Create a Parent Portal Account
   Visit wns-la.org and create an account through the WNS Parent Portal to access the application system.
2. Complete the Online Application Form
   Fill out the application and submit the $75 non-refundable fee directly through the portal.
3. Submit Required Documents and Forms• Teacher Recommendations (submitted electronically after Nov 1)
   • School Transcripts (current year and previous two years for Grades 1–8)
   • Optional: Character Skills Snapshot (if you’d like to include a non-academic evaluation)
4. Schedule and Attend a Parent/Guardian Conversation
   Use the portal to book a Zoom meeting with WNS Admissions.
5. Schedule and Complete the Student Visit• Preschool/DK: Group playdate
   • Grades K–8: In-person classroom visit and informal assessment
6. Enrollment
   Decisions are released in Late February or Early March. Enrollment contracts and deposits must be processed by the family.

Westside Neighborhood School Admission Requirements

Crafting a Compelling Parent Statement for Your Westside Neighborhood School Application

Parents or guardians of applicants are required to answer a parent/guardian questionnaire that is found on Westside Neighborhood’s application portal. You will be asked to talk about your child and share information about their personality, achievements, and other personal information.

Tips for Writing a Strong and Effective Westside Neighborhood School Parent Statement

The parent statement is an integral part of the application process as it will help admissions officers better understand your child’s background and potential to become successful at Westside Neighborhood School. It will also demonstrate your family’s commitment to your child’s education. When choosing what to write about, remember that you have to be honest and authentic. Focus on your child’s strengths and unique characteristics, and provide anecdotes to support your statements. For some tips on how to write a powerful parent statement from experienced educational consultants, click here. 

Securing Powerful Teacher Recommendations for Westside Neighborhood School

Applicants must submit recommendation letters from current math and English teachers and the principal or counselor. The forms can be found on the Westside Neighborhood’s application portal. and must be submitted online via the same platform.

How to get strong recommendation letters for the Westside Neighborhood School

Teacher recommendations are crucial for admission since they give a more thorough evaluation of your child’s character, personality, and academic aptitude. Because they deal with your child on a daily basis and can confirm your child’s academic success, they can make professional and unbiased observations. Building strong relationships with teachers is crucial if you want them to be able to provide strong recommendations that support other application materials when the time comes for them to do so.

Westside Neighborhood School Application Transcript: Submission Guidelines 

Applicants must submit transcripts from both the previous academic year and the first semester of the current one. Once submitted, the school will handle the process directly.

How to Improve Grades for the Westside Neighborhood School Application 

The transcript will demonstrate your child’s readiness to handle Westside Neighborhood School’s rigorous curriculum. But what if your child’s grades aren’t all that outstanding? Start private school admissions consulting early! Our tutors and academic coaches will work with your child to improve grades and achieve scores that meet the requirements. We provide online or in-person tutoring for a variety of courses as well as diagnostic testing. However, because we are aware that boosting GPA won’t guarantee success, we provide academic coaching that teaches executive function skills as a more holistic strategy.

Writing a Standout Personal Statement for Westside Neighborhood School

There are questions that an applicant has to answer within a limited character count. The questions delve into your child’s personality, skills, and interests, as well as their expectations of Westside Neighborhood School. The questions might seem simple and easy to answer, but admissions officers are looking at certain characteristics and values in your child that will determine if they are a good fit at Westside Neighborhood School. 

How to Create a Winning Westside Neighborhood School Personal Statement

Our private school admissions consultants can guide your child and give advice on how to best answer the questions truthfully. Our years of experience working with families applying to Westside Neighborhood School have allowed us to understand what they are looking for in applicants. From your child’s personal circumstances, we can identify what traits and characteristics will interest the admissions team and be considered for admission. Here are some useful tips on how to write a compelling personal statement.

Westside Neighborhood School Character Skills Snapshot

Families may choose to submit the Character Skills Snapshot as an optional part of the application. Offered by the Enrollment Management Association, this brief online assessment provides insights into a student’s character strengths, such as empathy, teamwork, responsibility, and open-mindedness.

WNS values the development of the whole child, and this snapshot can offer additional context about how a student approaches challenges, relationships, and learning. It can help the admissions team better understand a child’s social-emotional growth, especially when paired with teacher recommendations and parent insights.

Preparing for Your Westside Neighborhood School Admissions Interview

The WNS admissions interview is designed to be a conversational, thoughtful, and family-friendly experience, helping the school get to know applicants beyond their paperwork. It also gives families the chance to ask questions and learn more about WNS’s values, teaching philosophy, and community.

1. Parent/Guardian Conversation (Required for All Applicants)

The parent or guardian interview at Westside Neighborhood School is a required Zoom conversation with a member of the admissions team, typically lasting 30 to 45 minutes. This meeting allows families to share insights into their child’s personality, strengths, and interests, as well as their own parenting values and educational goals. WNS uses this opportunity to understand how well a family’s values align with the school’s mission and to begin building a strong partnership. It’s a warm, conversational process, not a high-pressure interview—authenticity and openness are key.

2. Student Visit/Assessment (Required)

• Preschool–DK Applicants: Attend a small-group playdate on campus. Teachers observe interaction, curiosity, and comfort in a group setting.
• Grades K–8 Applicants: Participate in an on-campus classroom visit and informal assessment.

The focus is on getting a sense of the child’s readiness for the grade level, their ability to engage socially and emotionally, and their enthusiasm for learning and collaboration.

Westside Neighborhood School takes a holistic approach to admissions, looking beyond grades and test scores to understand the whole child and their family. The school values curious learners who love to ask questions, kind and empathetic students who care about their peers, and families who appreciate creativity, inclusion, and collaboration. Rather than searching for a perfect academic profile, WNS seeks students and families who will thrive in—and contribute to—their dynamic and supportive school community.

Mastering Your Westside Neighborhood School Admissions Interview: What to Expect and How to Shine

Your child will be assessed and evaluated based on how they conduct themselves on those occasions. With nearly 20 years of experience in the industry and helping numerous families get into Westside Neighborhood School, we know what they are looking for. With informed interview preparation, our admissions consultants will introduce your child to common interview questions and teach them how to answer them truthfully while adhering to their values. 

Visiting Westside Neighborhood School: Campus Tours, Open Houses, and Virtual Events

WNS offers several ways for prospective families to explore the school and connect with the community throughout the admissions season.

1. Westside Neighborhood School Campus Tours

Westside Neighborhood School offers in-person campus tours for prospective parents and guardians during school hours. These small-group visits are led by admissions staff and school leaders, giving families an authentic look at daily life on campus. Guests can expect to walk through classrooms, innovation spaces, and play areas while observing real-time teaching and student interactions. The tour typically ends with a Q&A session, where visitors can speak directly with faculty and staff. Please note that these tours are for parents and guardians only—student visits are scheduled separately as part of the admissions process.

2. Westside Neighborhood School Open Houses

Open houses at WNS are larger, community-focused events held in the fall and winter. These gatherings include presentations from the Head of School and academic leaders, offering insights into the school’s mission, values, and approach to learning. Attendees also hear from panels of current students and parents who share their experiences firsthand. Open houses are designed for both parents and prospective students, although attendance guidelines may vary depending on the applicant’s grade level.

3. Westside Neighborhood School Virtual Events

For families who are unable to visit campus in person, WNS hosts virtual information sessions via Zoom. These events feature members of the admissions team and faculty, providing an overview of the school’s educational philosophy, community culture, and what makes the WNS experience unique. Families will also receive guidance on the application process, important deadlines, and have the chance to ask questions in real time. Virtual events are a convenient way to connect with the school from anywhere.

What is Student Life Like at Westside Neighborhood School?

Student life at Westside Neighborhood School (WNS) is vibrant, inclusive, and intentionally designed to nurture the whole child. From the moment students step on campus, they’re immersed in a culture of curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Whether it’s through hands-on STEM projects, expressive arts classes, or community service initiatives, WNS encourages students to explore their passions and grow into confident, compassionate individuals. Advisory programs, leadership opportunities, and social-emotional learning are woven into the fabric of daily life, ensuring that every student feels seen, supported, and empowered.

Outside the classroom, student life thrives through a wide array of clubs, electives, and extracurriculars. Middle schoolers participate in competitive athletics, while all grade levels engage in performances, art showcases, and cultural events that celebrate the diversity of the school community. Whether students are building robots, performing in musicals, or leading sustainability projects, they’re constantly challenged to think deeply, act ethically, and connect meaningfully—with each other and the world around them.

Westside Neighborhood School Curriculum: College Preparatory Academics

The curriculum at Westside Neighborhood School (WNS) is thoughtfully crafted to prepare students for the academic and personal demands of top high schools and, ultimately, college. As a preschool through 8th grade school, WNS focuses on building a strong foundation in core subjects—language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies—while integrating project-based learning, inquiry, and cross-disciplinary connections. Critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity are central to every subject area, ensuring students develop not only subject mastery but also the problem-solving skills needed for future academic success.

In the middle school years, WNS offers a robust, developmentally appropriate college preparatory curriculum that includes advanced math pathways (such as Algebra and Geometry), laboratory science, rich literature studies, and humanities courses that emphasize analytical writing and historical thinking. Spanish is taught through all grade levels, and electives such as coding, robotics, debate, and media production give students room to explore their interests. With a strong emphasis on public speaking, time management, and executive functioning skills, WNS graduates are confident, articulate learners who are well prepared for the challenges of high school and beyond.

What Sports does Westside Neighborhood School offer?

Westside Neighborhood School (WNS) offers a well-rounded athletics program for middle school students, with competitive team sports available across all three seasons. The school competes in the Pacific Basin League and emphasizes teamwork, skill-building, and sportsmanship.

WNS encourages all eligible students to participate, regardless of experience level, and emphasizes personal growth and team spirit over pure competition. 

What Kind of Arts and Music Programs are at Westside Neighborhood School?

Westside Neighborhood School (WNS) offers a vibrant and expansive arts and music program that begins in the earliest grades and builds throughout a student’s journey. The school believes that creativity is essential to learning and personal expression, and it’s woven into the curriculum through hands-on, experiential learning.

Westside Neighborhood School Visual Arts

In the visual arts, students explore drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media while learning about artists, art history, and creative techniques. The program emphasizes self-expression, risk-taking, and the creative process rather than just the final product. Student work is often featured in on-campus exhibits and schoolwide art shows.

Westside Neighborhood School Music Program

The music program includes general music instruction in the lower grades with rhythm, movement, singing, and basic instruments. As students advance, they can participate in choir, band, or instrumental ensembles, developing skills in composition, performance, and musical literacy. 

Westside Neighborhood School Performing Arts

Performing arts are also a central part of student life, with drama and theater classes culminating in school plays and musicals that involve acting, set design, and stage production. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, every student at WNS has a chance to shine creatively.

What Clubs and Organizations Can Students Join at Westside Neighborhood School?

Westside Neighborhood School offers a variety of clubs and organizations that cater to diverse student interests, promoting leadership, creativity, and community engagement. Some of the most popular clubs and organizations include:

These organizations provide students with opportunities to develop new skills, pursue their passions, and contribute positively to the school community.

Related Articles 

Inside Student Life at Westside Neighborhood School: What a Typical Day Looks Like

Beyond the Classroom: How Clubs and Activities Build Leadership and Community at WNS