Westfield High School

Posted: December 5, 2025

One year my child didn't have a chemistry teacher or geometry teacher for almost the full year I am not blaming teachers it's the school and county. They are failing these kids. The substitutes provided were not qualified and did not teach, we had meetings with the school, but nothing was done.

Posted: December 5, 2025

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Posted: November 21, 2025

Hello
My experience as a substitute teacher today was exceptional; starting with the warm welcome by the staff at the main office. The substitute coordinator was professional and gave all the Subsitute teachers a gift to express her appreciation. In addition, the students are respectful. I will pick other jobs at this outstanding school.
Keep the good work.

Posted: November 21, 2025

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Posted: November 29, 2024

This School let my Son get assaulted by his bullies. His younger sister joined after he graduated and she would always tell me about all of the fights that would constantly happen this is highly unacceptable she told me that a child who was freshman got punched by a senior. Everyone in this high school is either high on drugs or just beating kids up. They also have many drug dealers on their campus. They have a vaping problem and a drug problem I do not recommend this school at all if you want your kid to be safe.

Posted: November 29, 2024

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Posted: August 22, 2024

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Posted: August 22, 2024

Posted: August 22, 2024

Everyone is high. The halls are so crowded that a needle couldn’t get through. Fights are near constant. It caught fire twice last year. Students are disrespectful to teachers and peers. It’s overcrowded and insanely difficult to navigate.

Posted: December 25, 2023

Very bad drug problem tolerated by a culture of denial and dereliction of duty by those “educators” etc. who claim this is a “family problem” not a school one. Drug dealers roam the halls and bathrooms, “family problem”. Kids are high on government property, “family problem”. Kids aren’t learning, “f.p.”, and on and on. Really? Since when? The minute kids step foot on school property, it IS the school’s problem.
Why does Westfield allow drugs on their campus? Isn’t there an SRO and security employed to keep drugs off campus? Parents have every right to demand they do their job. Bring the K9 team in every once in a while. Drugs found, off to juvenile they go to call their parents. Then the school and parent can work out a plan, together, when the kid comes back after suspension. None of this, let’s look the other way or have a little nice chat and be friends with these kids. How about the school set a good example and do their job? Speaking of which, the best teachers aren’t necessarily the ones who have been there the longest. They are the ones who can influence kids to want to learn. Give them a reason to learn with positive motivation and support. I don’t understand how a teacher or staff could ever say that a student involved with drugs is not a school problem, but just a family problem when that student spends so much time in a seat looking at teachers. Teachers have the privilege of connecting with those students who come from homes with minor issues to those with major ones. The talented teachers will understand the importance of reaching out to both and how the way they interact with their students may one day be the difference between kids leading healthy, happy lives and those who may not make it at all. If a teacher doesn’t believe that every kid deserves that chance, then maybe it’s time for them to retire.

Posted: December 25, 2023

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Posted: June 17, 2022

Westfield High School is a fantastic school with many opportunities for students outside of sports, and the school harbors intelligent, compassionate teachers. I have taught at the school for almost twenty years, and I am baffled by the reviews stating there is a "drug problem." You are responsible for your children, and if your child is hanging out with the "wrong" crowd anywhere and takes drugs -- that's your family problem and not a school problem. The majority of our students make wonderful life choices. Stop blaming schools and teachers for your child's choices. Westfield High School is top notch, and we truly care for our students and for the rigor of the academics. My children also attend the school.

Posted: June 17, 2022

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Posted: May 6, 2020

Big drug problem, racism is prevalent, and unless a kid is a superstar they are just a number. It would be nice if ALL teachers used google classroom so it's consistent. The school is ok, probably no better or worse than other schools of its size.

Posted: May 6, 2020

My kid has less homework than I did at his age. He completes it at school.

Posted: May 6, 2020

Some teachers are great, but more often teachers there don't seem to care that much about the students.

Posted: May 6, 2020

Posted: May 6, 2020

The Principal and sub-school Vice-Principal's do a good job and being involved.

Posted: May 6, 2020

Posted: May 6, 2020

The school is big and it's hard for the kids to really be monitored. My kid tells me that in the halls between classes kids get punched.

Posted: August 4, 2019

so far we have not had a huge amount of homework, just enough to be effective and promote studying

Posted: August 4, 2019

really like all the teachers my kids have had so far.

Posted: August 4, 2019

From what I have experienced everyone is treated with respect

Posted: August 4, 2019

Dr Copeland is very friendly and always visible throughout the school and at school events. The sub school principals really get to know their students as well.

Posted: August 4, 2019

the special needs students are always welcome by the students and staff at all school events, as well as greeted by mainstream students at lunch and in the hall way. Best Buddies is a very popular program here and all the students, special needs or not love to be involved.

Posted: August 4, 2019

have not had to deal with this thankfully. my child has not witnessed any fights or bullying. I am sure as in any hs it's there but he has not been aware.

Posted: August 4, 2019

my family loves Westfield. it truly is a community. its a large school but doesn't feel like it. it's a hs of course there are issues that would find in any hs. I am very happy I still have younger kids and will be able to be a part of the Westfield community for years to come.

Posted: July 6, 2018

Posted: July 6, 2018

Posted: July 6, 2018

Kids won't even say excuse me or sorry if shoved in the halls even teachers will let kids be disrespectful

Posted: July 6, 2018

Posted: July 6, 2018

The teachers believe that every student learns the same way

Posted: July 6, 2018

the teachers will do nothing except call your parents and send you to the counselor and that is only if it is brought to them first. i went to this school for two years and my freshmen year i was bullied and harassed and i tried to stand up for myself i got in trobbel

Posted: July 6, 2018

This school is horrible if I could give this school -5 stars I would there is a high drug problem and a lot of fights there is a whole week about it near the end of the year called fight week. In 2017 a girl got pepper spread by another girl. Very few teachers are helpful and actually care about the kids and not just their test scores. The sports teams are good I'll give them that. other than that just homeschool your kids.

Posted: November 10, 2017

This school goes out of it's way to help my son and many others like him to be successful. They offer smaller class room sizes if need, 1:1 support during Bulldog Block, are willing to give extra time or adapt assignments if students are struggling. However the student and parents need to reach out to teachers. Parents need to be in actively involved. If parents/students care than the teachers will care. Simple as that.

Posted: September 19, 2017

This is a great school considering it's size. I have 2 sons one who is in all AP and Honors and one who has learning disabilities. Both of my sons are treated with respect regardless of their abilities. Most of the teachers are great and care about their students. Both of my boys participate in sports which has helped them both.

Posted: September 19, 2017

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Posted: March 14, 2017

This school has a very big drug problem.

Posted: April 27, 2016

We were new to the area and I was nervous to send my kids to such a large school but I am beyond pleased with their education,
Academically, athletically, socially. They have thrived and have been challenged in a good way. Westfield and Fairfax county have so much to offer.

Posted: April 27, 2016

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Posted: May 18, 2015

While most of the teachers are ok, it is the administration that falls short in this school. For three years they let my child get bullied. Even though the school, school district and state have a strict no tolerance policy, they would dismiss the bullying as not punish the bullies. Until early this year my child was physically assaulted by one of her bullies. If you are a varsity athlete, they will take care of you, if you are anyone else... Good luck.

Posted: January 4, 2015

Nice facilities, great staff, and numerous opportunities for students to push themselves academically. Our daughter enjoys attending this school and we are very pleased with the education she is receiving.

Posted: July 29, 2014

I highly recommend Westfield High School. My son graduated this year and entered college with 27 AP credits! He scored a 5 in all but one of the tests - he received a 4. His teachers in the AP classes prepared him fully and thanks to them he exceeded expectations. I credit his teachers at Virginia Run Elementary for setting such a solid foundation. He was accepted to every college that he applied for. The school has SO much to offer. There are so many sports, clubs, and activities to join. He remained friends with many of his Virginia Run neighbors as well as developed a lot of new friends through all of the school sports and activities.

Posted: June 19, 2014

I highly recommend Westfield High School. This is my first year in Virginia. I was worried that my 14 year old freshman would have set backs from moving so far away from Missouri. However, his experience was excellent. The counselor challenged him to take advanced classes and he excelled. His coaches challenged him academically also. The coaches talked to the players, keeping up with their grades and home life. My son did not want to take any days off from school to visit Missouri. He was excited about school. I was very impressed with the teachers, coaches and the staff. This was a great first year experience. Westfield made our move much easier than expected.

Posted: June 15, 2014

All four of my daughters have attended this school so I have experience with most of the teachers and the administration. I have found them to be caring, professional and truly exceptional. I have always been extremely pleased with the teachers and staff. Westfield is a large school but there is so much to do that it seems small for the kids. School spirit is tremendous, the facilities are without peer and they are award winning in each category! It was a wonderful experience for my children and they were well prepared for college. Communication was frequent and we always felt that our children's best interest were a priority. We are very happy with the education they received and delighted that they had the opportunity to attend this school..

Posted: September 24, 2013

Overall, we are quite satisfied with our child s experience at Westfield. Some great teachers, some good teachers and some mediocre teachers. The school building itself is obviously still relatively new and due to rezoning is no longer over capacity so overcrowding is not the issue that it was a few years ago. The athletic programs are second to none with the largest and most modern sports complex of the Fairfax County Public Schools. Westfield s Performing Arts departments are outstanding - led by their award winning Theatre and Band programs. Westfield has been recognized as a Virginia Honor Band 9 times in their 13 year history and their Marching Band was selected to march in the 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade.

Posted: July 8, 2013

Very impressed with this school especially Mr. Thomas won best principal in Fairfax County. He is a fantastic, engaging, communicative and honest administrator that does the right thing. I have never been disappointed about how he has handled the challenges during his tenure, many not of his making. The school has had some controversial & scary events associated with it but Mr. Thomas has stood tall and positive while acknowledging the issues. The guidance staff is outstanding & the process to bring the teachers, pupil & parents together to address issues is fantastic. The teaching staff is very solid although we have had some sub par teachers during our 5 years experience. Not terribly impressed with any Fairfax County school in how they manage poor teachers but we did see one completely out of touch teacher exit the year after we voiced our concerns to many administrators. Overall, very happy with the education, clearly communicated expectations of the students & their behavior as well as band/sports offered. Class size is improving but our first child had a class of close to 800 now it's down to 700 or so making it very competitive for extracurricular activities.

Posted: April 27, 2013

My son graduated from Westfield and had a great experience. However, my daughter found it to be a very stressful academic environment. Both are top students. We moved out of state, and my daughter found her new school to be more relaxed and pleasant. Though she took honors and AP courses here too, she didn't have hours and hours of homework every night. She had time for other activities and work. Many of Westfield's teachers are good, particularly in English and the arts, but the science teachers are either not prepared or unable to impart their knowledge to the students. The math department has the attitude that top students should be able to teach themselves, so they test them on material they haven't even gone over in class. A meeting with concerned parents confirmed that yes, this is their policy. In my daughter's new school the teachers actually taught the class and asked if anyone had questions, etc., as it should be. Students from both schools are admitted to the nation's top colleges, including my two children. Part of the problem is the parents in the area Westfield serves, who naively believe a school must be that stressful for their children to succeed.