39 Jim Elder Dr
Campbell, CA 95008

It’s a great school with all of the help from teachers and great classes.

We love Payne! Having moved from another close by school district this school was a breath of fresh air. The admin team & all the teachers are just wonderful. There is a great feel in the school & my kids are so happy here.

I have two teenagers attending this school, and while there are several positives worth highlighting, there are also some ongoing concerns.Westmont stands out as one of only two remaining high schools in Santa Clara County with a strong agriculture program, including a legitimate 3.5-acre farm. The school also offers an impressive machine shop and woodshop program, along with knowledgeable and dedicated teachers in the arts, particularly in art and photography/film. Additionally, the sports facilities are well-maintained and in great condition.However, there are notable issues with administration and consistency among teachers. The administrative team appears to have limited control over classroom expectations, which are often not enforced. As a result, some teachers operate independently without much accountability.The use of Canvas is another area of concern. Despite being located in the heart of Silicon Valley, many teachers seem reluctant to use the district’s platform effectively. Some even state at back-to-school events that they dislike using it, which is reflected in delayed grade updates and slow communication. In some cases, teachers have also indicated they do not respond to parental inquiries. Additionally, non-subject-related content is sometimes promoted in classrooms, which can be distracting.Although the sports facilities are in great shape, the athletic director leaves a lot to be desired. He is rarely present at sporting events, including larger tournaments and meets, and appears to provide little to no oversight of coaching staff. Communication is also a concern, as he is largely unresponsive to player and parent inquiries. This lack of leadership creates an environment that feels vulnerable to inconsistency and potential impropriety. I strongly encourage parents to be proactive—depending on the sport, students may not receive the motivation and guidance needed to succeed in high school athletics, and may be underprepared for collegiate-level competition.Overall, while the school offers some excellent programs and resources, there are clear areas that need improvement, particularly in administrative oversight, communication, and consistency in both academics and athletics.