Polytechnic School Competitors

Harvard-Westlake School is an independent coeducational college preparatory day school, grades 7-12. It is the result of a merger between Harvard School, founded in 1900, and Westlake School for Girls, established in 1904. Coeducation began in September of 1991. The middle school campus is located in Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles, and the upper school campus is located in Studio City, CA.

The Colburn School is a world-renowned performing arts institution located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Its mission is to provide the highest quality performing arts education at all levels of development in music and dance, and to foster a vibrant community through a wide range of performances, events, and educational activities. The Colburn School trains students from beginners to those about to embark on professional careers. Each year, more than 2,000 students from around the world come to Colburn to benefit from the renowned faculty, exceptional facilities, and focus on excellence that unites the community. The academic units of the school provide a complete spectrum of music and dance education. The Colburn School is currently constructing a transformational addition to our downtown Los Angeles campus, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry with acoustics by acclaimed Nagata Acoustics. This monumental project reflects a deep commitment to both the community and our students and will feature world-class performance venues and innovative learning spaces that foster collaboration and interdisciplinary partnerships throughout the region. A once-in-a-lifetime expansion for Colburn, the campus expansion will include a remarkable and accessible 1,077-seat concert hall, complete with a 70-musician orchestral pit and a modular sprung dance floor. It will also house the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute, Colburn’s renowned dance education program. The new dance center will feature a 100-seat dance studio theater, four spacious ballet and tap studios, administrative offices, and vibrant street-level and rooftop gardens with outdoor performance spaces. Construction began in 2024, and upon completion in 2027, Colburn’s campus expansion will create the world’s largest concentration of Frank Gehry-designed buildings—joining the Walt Disney Concert Hall and mixed-use project The Grand in redefining the cultural landscape of downtown Los Angeles.

The Buckley School is a dynamic, nurturing learning community committed to equity and inclusion. Our innovative teachers and challenging programs inspire creativity, courage, and collaboration. By promoting a balanced development of mind, body, and character, we encourage each student to find joy and meaning in life and make an impact in the world. The Buckley School, founded in 1933 by Isabelle Buckley, is the oldest K-12 independent co-educational day school in Los Angeles. Dr. Buckley developed the 4-Fold Plan of Education with equal emphasis on Academics, the Arts, Athletics, and Moral Education. These four pillars remain the foundation of our school and are continually updated to reflect current research in teaching, brain science, diversity, and a globalized world.