By Eloise ’23
A unique aspect of Harvard-Westlake are the expansive common areas on both of the campuses. On the Upper School campus the Quad is the center of student activity during free and break periods. On the Middle School campus, Horn Commons, often referred to as just “the commons,” is the hub for all casual student interaction. Both communal spaces are anchored by the cafeteria, accessible bathrooms, deans’ offices, and tables where students can interact with each other or advisors, be it social or academic interactions.
The energy on both the Quad and Horn Commons is invigorating. Seeing friends converse and laugh undeniably brings happiness to the campus and it is contagious. The common areas facilitate inter-grade mixing which expands the social pool for all, and allows students to make connections with everyone, without being limited by a grade or class. Something Harvard-Westlake prides itself on is inclusivity, which means socially all students are equally accepted and loved within the wolverine community.
For Upper School students, the Quad is the shady location students spend most of their free time. The round picnic tables allow students to converse freely, share new ideas, and support their friends while eating or doing homework. The Quad has the potential to be loud which may seem overwhelming, however it only inspires friends to have meaningful conversations and warm embraces.
The Middle School campus boasts Horn Commons, a large, covered area under the Hazy building. The Commons have large round tables too that allow students to pull up chairs and sit in large groups to socialize. The Commons has direct access to the cafeteria, so students will often have a meal together, or grab a snack before class. Furthermore, the library is directly across the lawn from the Commons, so students can split their free time between social and academic activities.
Both common spaces, the Quad and the Commons, sit directly in the center of campus, which makes mobility easy for all students when transitioning between classes. Most importantly, the common spaces and the campuses as a whole have welcoming environments, which ensures that everybody can find spaces where they feel comfortable, excited, and intellectually curious.
