Harvard, Westlake Schools to Merge

Harvard School for boys, widely considered among the most prestigious private schools in Los Angeles, has decided to give up an 89-year tradition and merge with Westlake School for girls, a private institution in Holmby Hills.

The 800-student Harvard School, in North Hollywood, is a one-time military academy that is affiliated with the Los Angeles diocese of the Episcopal Church. Both Harvard and the 680-student Westlake School send virtually all graduates to four-year colleges.

Founded in 1904, Westlake--like Harvard--is known for emphasizing community service among its students.

The boards of trustees of the two schools agreed on the merger Monday and announced it to the schools’ faculties, students and parents Tuesday. The merged institution will be known as Harvard-Westlake School and will operate on both campuses, with grades seven through nine at the Westlake campus and the upper grades at the Harvard campus. The merger will not be complete until the fall of 1991.