New Wave of Westridge Advanced Courses Launches Fall 2025

With the addition of Calculus I Advanced, Calculus I/II Advanced, and Advanced Aerospace Engineering—System Design this fall, Westridge will have completed its move beyond the standardized Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum to offering Westridge Advanced Courses as the most challenging course level in the Upper School. Westridge began this shift in 2022 to provide students with opportunities for deeper learning that goes below a surface-level understanding, increase the intellectual rigor of our program, and allow additional time to expand in-depth on specialized topics.

"Moving beyond APs and their externally imposed timetable of an exam has allowed time not only for more substantive dives into the content, but also for focusing on the skills that are vital for our students’ education and lives after high school," said Director of Teaching & Learning James Evans. "Across the board I see more student self-reflection and awareness of themselves as learners—both important to deeper learning and as part of our goals for making this change."

This fall's expansion of the Aerospace Engineering curriculum offers students up to four years of aerospace engineering with topics including rockets, satellites, aircrafts, and landing vehicles.