Westlake High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in South Fulton, Georgia (with an Atlanta mailing address) and is accredited by the Georgia Department of Education and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
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History
As a part of the Fulton County School System consolidation plan, Westlake was formed in 1988 by the closing of Westwood and Lakeshore High Schools. The new school used the old Westwood facility until 2008, when Westlake moved into a new state-of-the-art school next to the old campus. Feeder schools include Sandtown Middle School and Camp Creek Middle School.
In the 2012-13 school year, the school received favorable media coverage when CNN's HLN news broadcast a feature segment on then Westlake principal Dr. Grant Rivera and his efforts in engaging students, parents, and faculty in achieving academic and extra-curricular success in today's challenging social environment.
In 2016 the old campus was used for exterior and interior shots for the Lionsgate film, Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life.
In 2019, the academic growth rate for Westlake students was higher than 95% of schools in the state and was above the state average in college readiness.
In 2020 Principal Jamar Robinson and his wife both drowned while on vacation.
In 2023, 350 ninth and tenth-grade students were withdrawn from Westlake due to residency eligibility issues. The school was facing significant overcrowding, with enrollment exceeding capacity by 500 students. As a result, an analysis of student addresses was conducted to determine whether they resided within the Westlake school zone.
Magnet program
Westlake's Math/Science Magnet Program prepares students for the academic and career fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through rigorous instruction, relevant experiences, and supportive relationships.
Goals
The magnet program at Westlake seeks to provide an academically rigorous foundation for math, science, engineering, and media-based careers. Students are exposed to courses that offer real-world problems and inquiry-based instruction. The program develops partnerships with universities and businesses so that students have access to relevant instructional and internship experiences in medical science, engineering, and media. Students are also encouraged to participate in academic, athletic, and artistic extracurricular activities that support their achievement.
Application requirements
Students wishing to participate in the magnet program must live in Fulton County and must meet academic criteria, including having taken Algebra I in 8th grade, having a minimum grade of 80/100 in all math and science classes, failing no classes, and having a minimum cumulative average of 80.
Magnet programs of study
Westlake's magnet program is modeled after college programs in medical science, engineering, and computer science. Each course of study has associated extracurricular clubs and teams, as well as junior and senior summer research internship opportunities available at both Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University. Students attend monthly forums with guest speakers from college and industry on topics ranging from college planning to careers.
Recent achievements
National 1st place Biology Award in NAACP ACT-SO competition
National 2nd place Science Award in National Institutes of Health competition
Regional Semi-Finalists Engineering Award in Siemens Westinghouse Competition
Regional 1st place Tri-Math-Alon Award in National Society of Black Engineers competition
Athletics programs
Boys' basketball
1999 GHSA Boys' Basketball Champions
2002 GHSA Boys' Basketball Champions
2016 GHSA AAAAAA Boys' Basketball Champions
Girls' basketball
2018 GHSA AAAAAAA Girls' Basketball Champions
2019 GHSA AAAAAA Girls' Basketball Champions
2020 GHSA AAAAA Girls' Basketball Champions
2021 GHSA AAAAA Girls' Basketball Champions
2021 Geico Nationals Girls' Basketball Champions
Girls' track and field
2009 GHSA AAAAA Girls' Track Champions
2013 GHSA AAAAAA Girls' Track and Field Champions
2014 GHSA AAAAAA Girls' Track and Field Champions
2015 GHSA AAAAAA Girls' Track and Field Champions
Dance
2012 UDA Jazz Dance Large Group Champions
2012 UDA Hip-Hop Dance Large Group Champions
New facility
Construction for a new Westlake facility began in October 2006 and the facility officially opened in August 2008, housing over 2,500 high school students in 99 classrooms. The architectural firm of Gardner, Spencer, Smith, Tench & Jarbeau, P.C. designed the new building while H.J. Russell & Company handled the initial phase of construction. The school had previously been housed in the old Westlake High School building since its opening in 1988. Prior to 1988, the building housed Westwood High School. The MTV show Finding Carter was filmed at the older facility, adjacent to the new one.
Notable alumni
Keith Adams, football player
Ian Allen, football player
Lawrence Butler, baseball player, outfielder
Christian Coleman, USA Track and Field Olympian
Christopher Eubanks, tennis player
Keyaron Fox, football player, Super Bowl XLIII champion
Marquis Grissom, baseball player Montreal Expos, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians (as Lakeshore High School)
Edwin Jackson, football player
Raven Johnson, basketball player, point guard South Carolina Gamecocks
Adam "Pacman" Jones, football player
LaDawn Jones, attorney and former member of the Georgia House of Representatives
Sean Jones, football player
Lash Legend, professional wrestler
Wallace Miles, football player
Anthony Mitchell, football player, Super Bowl XXXV champion
Cam Newton, football player, Carolina Panthers, 2010 Heisman Trophy winner, 2015 NFL MVP
Sidi Njie, USA Track & Field U20 Gold medalist
Chuma Okeke, professional basketball player, Orlando Magic