Westminster students’ contrasting opinions of WCA vary from athletic and academic to hypocritical to compassionate. But how do students outside of the Westminster community view WCA? What is it’s reputation?

It is not uncommon to have students from other high schools in West St. Louis County perceive WCA as an impressive facility with top-notch academics, populated by students who are both preppy and classy.  Most students interviewed for this story quickly identified the school’s “gorgeous” campus, describing it as “beautiful and recently redone.” But is it fair to judge a book by its cover?

“Westminster families have a history of wealth. It has a typical West County look,” said Alex Pozo, senior at CBC.

WCA also holds a positive reputation for its academics. Local students noted that, as a private school, Westminster’s curriculum is viewed as more demanding than that of many local public high schools.

“It’s one of the top private schools in St. Louis,” said Mariana Blessing, home schooled sophomore.

Students at WCA seem to be defined by their looks, as well as their personalities.  Nearly everyone interviewed described Westminster students as “preppy” and a number of people mentioned that WCA families are classy.

“WCA girls care more about what they look like than girls at Ursuline. The  reputation WCA holds at Ursuline is that it’s high class and preppy. The families I know from WCA are consistent with their reputation for being quite classy and preppy,” said Cassandra Keller, junior at Ursuline.

Westminster’s reputation can be extremely contrasting. While some view WCA as a party school, others view it as an extremely Godly school.

“Some think Westminster is full of Jesus-freaks while others say it’s a bunch of West County partiers,” said Pozo.

When asked if their experience with WCA students is consistent with their reputation, students’ answers rang out in unison.

“The common reputation WCA holds at Marquette is not too positive- people do relate Westminster kids with money and parties; however, the people I know from WCA couldn’t be sweeter,” said Annie Zigman, junior at Marquette.

Pozo also contrasted WCA’s reputation as a party school.

“The people I know at WCA are great kids who love Jesus, work hard, and have incredible school spirit,” said Pozo.

So, it seems the reputation of Westminster of being a party school where rich kids dress preppy may be overridden by reality when people get to know the students one on one.