Westlake High School (Austin, Texas)

Westlake High School (Austin, Texas)
Name	Westlake High School
Location	Austin, Texas, United States
District	Eanes Independent School District
Established	1976
Type	Public secondary school
Grades	9–12
Principal	Thomas "Trey" Brewer
Enrollment	~2,200
Colors	Purple and Gold
Mascot	Chaparral

Westlake High School (Austin, Texas) is a public secondary school in the Eanes Independent School District serving grades 9–12 in the Westlake Hills area of Austin. Founded in 1976, the school serves students from Westlake Hills, Rollingwood, part of Austin, and surrounding neighborhoods, and is noted for its academic programs, competitive athletics, and notable alumni. Westlake competes in University Interscholastic League athletics and participates in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate initiatives connected to statewide and national programs.

History

Westlake opened in 1976 in Westlake Hills, Texas after consolidation decisions by the Eanes Independent School District board, responding to population growth in Travis County, Texas and the expansion of the Austin metropolitan area. Early leadership included district trustees who coordinated with the Texas Education Agency on accreditation and school zoning. During the 1980s and 1990s Westlake expanded facilities while navigating regional debates over district funding, property tax rates set by the Travis County Appraisal District, and voter referenda. In the 2000s and 2010s the school underwent renovations tied to bond measures approved by Eanes ISD voters and engaged with programs affiliated with the College Board, International Baccalaureate Organization, and statewide initiatives led by the Texas Legislature. Westlake's history intersects with civic developments in Austin, including residential growth near Lady Bird Lake and transportation projects along State Highway Loop 1.

Campus

The Westlake campus sits near the boundaries of Westlake Hills, Texas and Rollingwood, Texas with views toward central Austin, Texas landmarks. Facilities include classroom wings, science laboratories supported by collaborations with institutions like the University of Texas at Austin, performing arts spaces used for productions connected to organizations such as the Austin Opera, and athletic complexes for football, baseball, soccer, and swimming. The campus incorporates technology upgrades in partnership with vendors and district technology plans overseen by Eanes ISD, and its library/media center maintains collections aligned with standards from the American Library Association. Outdoor spaces have been used for community events tied to the Westlake Community Center and local booster clubs.

Academics and programs

Westlake offers a college-preparatory curriculum with Advanced Placement courses administered through the College Board and an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organization. Specialized pathways include STEM coursework linked to regional partners like the University of Texas at Austin and corporate internships with companies headquartered in Austin, such as Dell Technologies and Intel Corporation. Elective programs cover visual arts, theater, and music, with ensembles performing at events associated with the Texas Music Educators Association and competitions like UIL (University Interscholastic League) Music and regional Texas Thespian Festival. Counseling services coordinate college counseling aligned with the Common Application and scholarship programs administered by organizations such as the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Student life and extracurriculars

Student life includes clubs spanning academic teams, service organizations, and cultural groups that participate in competitions and events hosted by entities like Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, Model United Nations, and Science Olympiad. Student publications produce newspapers and yearbooks consistent with guidelines from the Student Press Law Center. Performing arts productions collaborate with local arts institutions including the ZACH Theatre and regional festivals. Student government works with district administration and engages with civic initiatives at City of Austin forums. Parent booster organizations and alumni associations support extracurriculars through fundraising and partnerships with foundations such as the Eanes Education Foundation.

Athletics

Athletics at Westlake operate under the authority of the University Interscholastic League and field teams in sports including football, basketball, baseball, track and field, swimming and diving, tennis, and soccer. The school competes in district and state championships, and its programs have produced state qualifiers in UIL competitions. Facilities include a stadium used for football and lacrosse, gymnasiums for varsity and junior varsity contests, and aquatic centers hosting swimming meets. Coaching staffs have included former collegiate athletes and coordinators with ties to programs at institutions like Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin.

Notable alumni

Alumni from Westlake have achieved prominence across sports, entertainment, technology, and public life. Notable graduates include professional athletes who played in leagues such as the National Football League and Major League Baseball, actors and musicians who have worked with companies like Netflix and labels represented at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, entrepreneurs who founded startups in the Silicon Hills ecosystem, and civic leaders who have held offices in Travis County, Texas and the City of Austin. Specific alumni have been profiled in media outlets including the Austin American-Statesman and national publications.

Category:High schools in Austin, Texas Category:Public high schools in Texas