Parkway West High School
| Parkway West High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| 14653 Clayton Road Ballwin, MO |
|
| Information | |
| School type | Public high school |
| Established | 1968 |
| Principal | Dr. Jeremy Mitchell |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 1,349 |
| Campus | Urban |
| Color(s) | Red and Columbia Blue
|
| Mascot | Longhorns |
| Rival | Parkway Central High School |
| Newspaper | Pathfinder |
| Information | 314-415-7500 |
| Website | School Website |
Parkway West High School (often referred to as PWHS) is a fully accredited public high school, serving students in grades 9-12 of the Parkway School District, located in Ballwin, Missouri. Parkway West is one of four high schools in the Parkway School District. The school mascot is the Longhorn and the school colors are Columbia blue and red. The average annual enrollment is approximately 1,400 students.
PWHS was the second high school built in the Parkway School District; it opened in the fall of 1968 with grades 10-12. In the 1969-1970 school year, Parkway West Junior High was formed, and grades 7-9 were housed in the West Senior building operating on the same schedule as West Senior. For the 1970-71 school year, West Senior operated as a four year high school (grades 9-12), with West Junior grades 7 & 8 attending Parkway South Junior High School on a split schedule. Members of the Class of '74 attended school in the West Senior building for five straight years. West Junior opened for the 1971-1972 school year with the new "open classroom" layout. One of the unusual features of PWHS was that for 13 years under the leadership of principal Al Burr, they operated without any written rules or regulations—only mutual agreements and expectations.[1]
Parkway West is a member of the Missouri High School Athletic Association and offers a variety of sports programs. Athletic teams compete in the 5A division and are known as the "Longhorns". Extracurricular activities are also offered in the form of performing arts, school publications, and clubs. Notable alumni of the school include president and CEO of Anheuser-Busch, August Busch IV and Blaine Gabbert, 2011 Quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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[edit] Academics
As of 2010[update], there are 1,349 students enrolled with an average attendance rate of 92.7%. Of West High graduates, an average of 97.9% enter post-secondary education. As of 2007:
- 81% - 4 year college
- 12% - 2 year college
- 7% - Other
The middle 50% of ACT composite scores are in the 21-29 range. The average staff experience is 15.5 years and 71.6% of staff members have a masters degree or above.
[edit] Mission statement
"Teaching and learning are why we are here. The mission of the Parkway West High School community is to foster lifelong learning and good citizenship by developing critical thinking, altruism, and responsibility."
[edit] School Spirit
For its 40th year anniversary (2008), Parkway West revived its fight song, Stand Up and Cheer, the lyrics of which are: "Stand up and cheer, stand up and cheer for Parkway West. For today we raise, the red and blue above the rest we are the best. The Longhorns are fighting, for we are bound to win this game. We've got the team! (We've got the team!) We've got the steam! (We've got the steam!) For it is Parkway West's Day. Hey!"
[edit] Extracurricular Activities
[edit] Athletics
Parkway West has a sports rivalry with Parkway Central High School. The school's original rivalry (sports and otherwise) was with nearby Rockwood School District's Lafayette High School. The varsity boys 2008 soccer team defeated Rockwood Summit in penalty kicks to take the Class 3, District 4 title. Boy's cross country has also seen multiple successful seasons including two state championships. Recently, during the 2007 season the varsity team placed runner-up to St. Louis University High School at the State Championship. During the 2011 Season of Girls swimming, they won the state championship.
[edit] Non-athletic Programs
Parkway West also offers many opportunities for students apart from sports. Such activities include: Model United Nations, NFLSpeech and Debate, Marching Band, Theatre, ITS (theatre honors society) , Community Outreach at West (often referred to as COW), Women of West (often referred to as WOW), Mu Alpha Theta (math honors society), Beta Chi Pi (science honors society), Improvisational theatre, the Student Activities Leadership & Service Association (SALSA), Gay Straight Alliance, and Amnesty International.
[edit] Notable alumni
[edit] Politics
- Brian Krolicki, Lieutenant Governor of Nevada
[edit] Business
- August Busch IV, president and CEO of Anheuser-Busch[2]
[edit] Sports and Entertainment
- Evan Bourne, professionial wrestler for WWE
- Chip Caray, grandson of Harry Caray and broadcaster for the Atlanta Braves
- Chris Cissell, head coach of women's soccer at UMKC. NSCAA/adidas NAIA Men's National Coach of the Year in 2006[3]
- Blaine Gabbert, quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars and former quarterback for the Missouri Tigers
- Michael Klos, KTIV Weekend Sports Anchor/Reporter
- Pooja Kumar, actress and former Miss India USA
- Lucas May, catcher in the Kansas City Royals organization
- Stone Phillips,[2] attended Yale University and former anchor of Dateline NBC, Phillips gave the baccelaureate address for the class of 1973
- Ken Schrader, NASCAR racer[2]
- Nikko Smith, was in the top 12 of American Idol Season 4 and is the son of St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith
- Anne Steffens, KMOV reporter[2]
- Tuc Watkins, actor most noted for his role on One Life to Live, also played neighbor Bob Hunter on Desperate Housewives, 2007–2009
- Joe Williams, film critic of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
[edit] Notes
- ^ "West High" (English). http://www.pkwy.k12.mo.us/50th/history/schoolHistory/westhigh.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
- ^ a b c d Dillon, D. (2005) So Where'd You Go to High School? Vol. 2, Virginia Publishing.
- ^ "Chris Cissell Named 2006 NSCAA/adidas National Coach of the Year" www.jewell.edu, retrieved August 12, 2008.
[edit] Sources
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