By Bella ’30
When I first came to HW, I wasn’t sure what “diversity” would really look like. At my old school, I was one of the five Asian students, which made me proud of my roots but also aware of how different I felt. I was used to switching between two languages and cultures, but I didn’t often meet people who shared that part of my life. When I started 7th grade at Harvard-Westlake, that changed almost immediately.
One of the first things I noticed here was how many people came from backgrounds similar to mine. Students who spoke multiple languages at home, who shared stories about family traditions, or who understood what it was like to balance more than one cultural identity. It was comforting and exciting to find classmates who could relate to unique experiences and struggles.
What stood out even more, though, was how open and curious everyone was about each other’s experiences. I feel so lucky that I’ve come to a school that has a vast and genuinely engaged community, one where learning about one another goes far beyond where we come from. In classes, I found that my perspective as someone who grew up in a Chinese household wasn’t just acknowledged: it added something to the conversation. Teachers encouraged us to bring our full selves into discussions, and that made me realize how valuable diversity of thought can be.
It wasn’t just about having people who looked like me or spoke the same language. It was about being surrounded by people who respected each other’s stories and wanted to learn from them. Through clubs, affinity groups, and everyday conversations, I discovered that the school’s concept of diversity isn’t measured in numbers. It’s built through genuine connection.
Now, when I think back to how nervous I was before starting here, I wish I could tell my younger self that she wouldn’t be “the only one” anymore. I found classmates who understand and respect me, like taking the proper time to really think about how to say my last name, or how no matter the difference in cultural background everyone is included. I also found people from completely different backgrounds who still made me feel understood.
To all applicant families, I want to share this: finding community here doesn’t mean fitting into a specific mold. It means being part of a place where your story adds to a much larger one. Whether you’re bilingual, from a small public school where you’ve never even heard of private schools until the year before you apply, or just wondering how you’ll fit in, there’s space for you here. Harvard-Westlake showed me that diversity isn’t just about representation. It’s about connection, belonging, and the people who make you feel at home.
