Education at Westside is what the student wants it to be. If they are seeking a world class education the opportunities and quality of teacher needed for it to happen are there. Students wanting this quality of education need to be actively involved, need to have parent(s) actively involved, need to take as challenging of courses as possible and take the time to study/attend daily. If they want to play around and do the bare minimum and maybe or maybe not graduate, well that opportunity exists too. We have a diverse student population where everyone can find a group to identify with. We are large enough to allow independence, but small enough where most students know everyone in their class by senior year and most teachers are familiar with most students. We have a handful of teachers that should have been fired years ago that no one seems to be able to get rid of or help to improve. The teachers and administration do run this school, just ask the students! Much improvement in student behavior since 2010 when the county bussed students in across the district because we were the only one making AYP. We have opportunities for all to join numerous sports teams and we show more pride than any other Richmond County school. Our facility has had and continues to be updated. Students and teachers feel safe at this school. Our administration works hard to support the teachers, students and parents. Westside has a strong alumni in the professional community and many of our student's parents went here. Faculty openings are coveted positions in this county because it is a good school. The only comparisons in Richmond County are the magnet schools and the ib program at ARC, but they get to handpick their student body and kick them out when they do not perform well.

Westside high school is absolutely horrible. It offers a kindergarten level of education along with lack luster teaching from most teachers. The students walk around with attitudes and the mind set that they rule the school. The best thing to do for this high school is to tear it down.