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Windward School

About
Windward School strives to innovate and offer students educational opportunities that are unique, engaging, and relevant to life in the 21st century. Our students explore their multiple interests in a dynamic academic environment while growing within a nurturing community.
Admissions
Learn more about Windward’s admissions process, find answers to commonly asked questions about the school, register for an Open House, and submit an application online.
Academics
Fundamental to the Windward School philosophy is the belief that secondary education must engage more than the mind alone. Windward’s comprehensive and rigorous course of study is complemented by opportunities to participate in a wide range of extra-curricular experiences that foster further growth and development.
Student Life
Windward was founded as a school in which innovation would, by design, always be front and center. The pursuit and implementation of new ideas has been a hallmark of the school for more than four decades, resulting in a relentless search for new and better ideas that have made Windward into a leading independent school and a model for academic progress.
Athletics
Windward Athletics creates opportunities for scholar-athletes to learn and compete at the highest level while focusing on personal growth, commitment to teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence.
- Wellness
- History of Excellence
Community
Partnerships are at the heart of Windward School, whether among alumni members of the Windward Network, active volunteers of the Parent Guild, or civic organizations in our neighborhood of Mar Vista.
Giving
Since its founding more than four decades ago, Windward has continued to develop and prosper thanks to those community members, volunteers, foundations, and other friends who have given generously to ensure the continuous advancement of the school.

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Windward School

About
Windward School strives to innovate and offer students educational opportunities that are unique, engaging, and relevant to life in the 21st century. Our students explore their multiple interests in a dynamic academic environment while growing within a nurturing community.
Admissions
Learn more about Windward’s admissions process, find answers to commonly asked questions about the school, register for an Open House, and submit an application online.
Academics
Fundamental to the Windward School philosophy is the belief that secondary education must engage more than the mind alone. Windward’s comprehensive and rigorous course of study is complemented by opportunities to participate in a wide range of extra-curricular experiences that foster further growth and development.
Student Life
Windward was founded as a school in which innovation would, by design, always be front and center. The pursuit and implementation of new ideas has been a hallmark of the school for more than four decades, resulting in a relentless search for new and better ideas that have made Windward into a leading independent school and a model for academic progress.
Athletics
Windward Athletics creates opportunities for scholar-athletes to learn and compete at the highest level while focusing on personal growth, commitment to teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence.
- Wellness
- History of Excellence
Community
Partnerships are at the heart of Windward School, whether among alumni members of the Windward Network, active volunteers of the Parent Guild, or civic organizations in our neighborhood of Mar Vista.
Giving
Since its founding more than four decades ago, Windward has continued to develop and prosper thanks to those community members, volunteers, foundations, and other friends who have given generously to ensure the continuous advancement of the school.

Home

A dynamic, engaging education. A nurturing, inclusive community.

Middle Division

Grades 7 & 8

Windward’s Middle School administration and faculty create a vibrant academic environment that fosters student success in all areas of school life.

Prep Division

Grades 9 & 10

Prep Division students are encouraged to take advantage of new opportunities and challenges as they begin to define themselves as young scholars and adolescents.

Collegiate Division

Grades 11 & 12

In the Collegiate Division, students apply the skills and learning habits they have honed in previous years to increasingly more challenging and rigorous course material.

By The Numbers

625

Current Students

8:1

Student/Teacher Ratio

55

Honors Courses and AP's

16

Average Class Size

84%

Teachers Hold Master's Degrees

25%

Teachers Hold Doctorates

125

League Titles

2.3M

Committed to Financial Aid

News & Social

Our Story

1968-1971 1971 1972 1982 1987 1994-1997 2000 2007 2009 2011 2016

1968-1971

Teachers Shirley Windward and Carl Parsons, sharing a mutual joy of teaching and a desire to “open up” their classes, decide to open their own school on the West Side.

1971

Windward School opens at 3118 Wilshire Boulevard with an enrollment of 68 students.

1972

The first Windward Graduation takes place at the home of Robert Feldman ’73 and Rich Feldman ’77. Six students graduated.

1982

Continuing to grow and needing additional space for new programs, Windward moves to its present site, a 9.5 acre, multi-building campus at 11350 Palms Boulevard in Los Angeles.

1987

Tom Gilder named Head of School.

1994-1997

Science labs are extended, locker rooms are built, the Annual Fund increases from a $200,000 to a $350,000 level, and enrollment reaches 350 students.

2000

The Leichtman-Levine Bridge opens.

2007

The Board of Trustees sets a campaign goal of $18 million and approves construction of the Science, Dance, and Music Center, as well as the Center for Teaching and Learning.

2009

The Center for Teaching and Learning and the Science, Dance, and Music Center open, adding 40,000 square feet of new program space.

2011

Windward celebrates its 40th Anniversary and Tom Gilder’s 25 years as Head of School.

2016

Windward renovates the Lewis Jackson Memorial Sports Complex