Wilton High School
| Wilton High School | |
| Magnet School | No |
| School District | Wilton Public Schools |
| School Colors | Blue and White |
| Coeducational | Yes |
| Year Opened | September 1971 |
| Charter School | No |
| Grade Levels | 9-12 |
| School type | Public |
| Principal | Robert O'Donnell |
| Location | 395 Danbury Road Wilton, Connecticut, 06897, USA |
| Year-round schedule | No |
| Phone Number | 203-762-0381 |
| Enrollment | 1216 |
| Sports Teams | The Warriors |
| Mascot | Warrior |
| Homepage | www.edline.net/pages/Wilton_High_School |
Wilton High School is a public high school in Wilton, Connecticut, and considered "one of Connecticut’s top performers" in various measures of school success.[1] The current principal is Robert O'Donnell. Previously the long-time-principal was Timothy H. Canty, who also attended the school in the 1970s. He transferred to the Board of Ed. at the end of the school year of 2011, leading O'Donnell to become principal.[1][2]
School enrollment increased 29 percent from 2001 to 2006.[3] In Fall 2001, a major multi-million dollar construction project was completed, significantly expanding the square footage of the school.[citation needed] Wilton High School ranks high in the state in terms of scores on standardized math and reading tests.[4]
| Ethnicity/economic status indicator.[3] | Year | Wilton | Similar schools |
State | |
| Eligible for free/reduced price meals | 2005-06 | 0.9% | 1.0% | 22.4% | |
| Eligible for free/reduced price meals | 2002-03 | 0.6% | n/a | 17.6% | |
| Juniors, Seniors working 16+ hrs./week | 2005-06 | n/a | 6.5% | 21.7 | |
| Juniors, Seniors working 16+ hrs./week | 2000-01 | 15.8% | n/a | 31.7 | |
| K-12 students, non-English home language | 2005-06 | 4.7% | 2.7% | 11.4 | |
| White | 2004-05 | 92.7% | 67%[5] | ||
| Hispanic | 2004-05 | 1.9% | 15%[5] | ||
| African American | 2004-05 | 1.3% | 14%[5] | ||
| Asian American | 2004-05 | 4.0% | 3%[5] | ||
| American Indian | 2004-05 | 0.1% | >1%[5] |
Contents |
[edit] History of secondary education in town
[edit] Before 1959
Even though Wilton became an independent town in 1802, separating from Norwalk,[6] its education system was highly unorganized until the late 1950s.
In the early and mid-20th century, Wilton students went to high schools in Westport, New Canaan, Norwalk (until 1930), Danbury and Ridgefield. Since the schools in these communities were becoming overcrowded with population growth, a regional high school for Wilton was proposed in 1935 but vetoed by the state governor. The next year, Wilton, Weston and Redding began a joint study, which rejected the idea again. Instead, the committee recommended that Wilton wait for population to continue increasing enough to support a high school, and in the meantime buy enough land for the school. In 1940, a town meeting approved purchase of the Harbs Farm property, a 65-acre (260,000 m2) tract near the intersection of School and Danbury roads. In 1944, a regional high school was proposed again, and again the idea was rejected—this time by the town of Redding, which killed the proposal. A consultant hired by Wilton town officials recommended in 1948 that town population growth could support a high school in less than a decade. The regional high school idea was then permanently dropped.[7]
Prior to the 1959 academic year, all students seeking public secondary school education had to attend Staples High School in Westport. In 1951, Westport officials, facing their own town's population growth, notified Wilton that it should prepare to remove its high school students from that town's school by 1957. In 1956, 10th-grade students began attending classes in the Wilton Junior High School building, and 11th-grade students joined them there in the fall of 1957, so that only Wilton's seniors were at the Westport high school. In that final school year for Wilton students in Westport, the top two graduating seniors at Staples High School were from Wilton. A $1.2 million wing was completed for the junior high school building in the fall of 1958.[8]
[edit] High School shuffle 1959-1971
In 1962, the public secondary education building moved again. This time the destination was a brand new structure currently known as the Middlebrook School. The first graduating class of this new high school, the class of 1963, numbered 170. Overall enrollment that year was 615. Although this was a new facility, it was quickly deemed as inappropriate due to its diminutive size, in the wake of the "baby boomer" education era.
In 1966, a building committee was created to expand the new high school building, but the group recommended that the town instead buy land to the northwest of the high school building, and in 1967 the town approved the idea. The land was condemned, but the property owners appealed to the courts, delaying the project. Temporary classrooms were set up outside the old high school building. The town approved $12.6 million for the building, and the new structure was built to hold 1,500 students, with the possibility of expansion to hold 2,000.[9]
The present day Wilton High School opened its doors in September 1971, reaching a maximum student population of 1646 during the 1976-77 academic year. WHS has graduated nearly 12,500 students as of the 2006-07 academic year.[10]
[edit] Recent history
In 1996, Wilton High School participated in the A Better Chance (ABC) program which brought minority students from inner-city schools to live in town and attend the school. As of 2004, ABC leased the former Goslee house at 6 Godfrey Place from the town library for student housing.[11]
For the 26 years that Guy Whitten coached the high school lacrosse team, it won 17 state championships and 11 Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference titles. In Whitten's final year, 1995, the team was undefeated. The girls' gymnastics team won 13 FCIAC titles in 15 years, as well as several state championships.[7]
In 2001, two extensive additions to the school were completed as well as other renovations. The project included new classrooms, more modern science labs, new music rooms, a larger cafeteria and a new theater building with an 800-seat auditorium.[12]
In March 2007, a controversy arose which achieved national prominence when Principal Timothy Canty on the objection of a student cancelled an original student play by an advanced theater class concerning the Iraq War, a project he had originally approved. He justified his action by claiming it “might hurt Wilton families ‘who had lost loved ones or who had individuals serving as we speak,’ and that there was not enough classroom and rehearsal time to ensure it would provide ‘a legitimate instructional experience for our students.’”[13] The play, "Voices in Conflict", had been written and produced by students under the direction of 13-year English teacher Bonnie Dickinson. It was supposed to have been performed in school during the day. School officials, including Superintendent Gary Richards, notwithstanding national attention over the cancellaton and a letter protesting it signed by Stephen Sondheim, Edward Albee, Christopher Durang, John Guare and John Patrick Shanley, refused to allow the production to be shown at the school.
Theater groups rallied to the students’ defense, and the play was subsequently performed at the Fairfield Theatre Company, The Vineyard Theatre, The Culture Project, and The Public Theater.[14] The play was produced for Connecticut Public Television, and Bonnie Dickinson became the official “2007 Honoree” of the National Coalition Against Censorship and the winner of the Connecticut Center for First Amendment Rights 2007 “Freedom Award.”[15]
[edit] Athletics
[edit] Boys lacrosse
Since the sport gained school-sponsorship, the team has won 21 Connecticut state championships, and 13 FCIAC titles.[16] Guy Whitten, the varsity football coach, was hired in 1969 to field a competitive group of athletes from the schools club and intramural programs. Whitten, who is regarded as an influential figure to the popularity that the sport enjoys today throughout the state, would end up coaching boys lacrosse at WHS for 26 years before his retirement following the conclusion of the 1995 season. Whitten competed for years against veteran New Canaan coach Howard Benedict. Whitten and Benedict are considered the "Founding Fathers of Connecticut Lacrosse." Whitten was chosen to represent his country as the Head Coach of the USA U-19 National Team, who won the World Championship in Adelaide, Australia in 1988. Upon retirement, Whitten had tabulated 410 wins versus only 77 losses for a career winning percentage of %.842. At the time, he was one of only four coaches in the history of the sport to reach the 400 win plateau. In the history of Wilton Lacrosse, the varsity team has never had a losing season, the lowest record ever by the Warriors was in 2007 when they went %.500. Many of the program's athletes have gone on to compete in collegiate teams on the NCAA division I level;
| Season | W | L | Pct. | FCIAC tournament | CIAC (state) tournament | National Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 16 | 6 | .730 | Lost Semi Final to Darien | Won State Championship (#21) over New Canaan in the CIAC Finals and defeated Darien in the CIAC Semi-Finals | Ranked #29 in the Nation[17] |
| 2009 | 16 | 6 | .753 | Lost Semi Final to Darien | Lost finals to Darien | |
| 2008 | 12 | 8 | .600 | Lost Semi Finals to Darien | Lost Quarter Finals to Darien | |
| 2007 | 10 | 10 | .500 | Lost Semi Finals to Greenwich | Lost Quarter Finals to Branford | |
| 2006 | 12 | 8 | .600 | Lost Semi Finals to Darien' | Lost Quarter Finals to Daniel Hand | |
| 2005 | 16 | 5 | .762 | Lost Semi Finals to New Canaan | Lost Finals to Darien | Ranked #54 in nation |
| 2004 | 20 | 3 | .870 | Lost Finals to Darien | Won State Championship (#20) over New Canaan | Ranked #21 in nation |
| 2003 | 13 | 8 | .620 | Lost Finals to Darien | Lost Semi Finals to Glastonbury | |
| 2002 | 11 | 7 | .611 | Lost Semi Finals to Darien | Lost Quarter Finals to Cheshire | |
| 2001 | 12 | 9 | .571 | Lost Finals to Darien | Lost Semi Finals to Fairfield Prep | |
| 2000 | 15 | 8 | .652 | Lost Semi Finals to Darien | Lost Finals to Darien | |
| 1999 | 20 | 2 | .910 | Won Championship over Darien | Won State Championship (#19) | Ranked #8 in nation |
| 1998 | 19 | 3 | .863 | Lost semi-finals to New Canaan | Won State Championship (#18) over New Canaan | Ranked #11 in nation |
| 1997 | 14 | 7 | .667 | Lost Finals to Darien | Lost Semifinals to Darien | |
| 1996 | 19 | 3 | .863 | Won Championship | Lost in Finals to New Canaan | |
| 1995 | 23 | 0 | 1.000 | Won Championship | Won State Championship | Ranked #2 in nation |
[edit] Girls lacrosse
The girls varsity lacrosse program, established as a school sponsored sport in 1982, was invariably mediocre until a breakthrough 1995 campaign under first year coach Joanie Tripp that culminated with a 10-4 record and three athletes named to the all FCIAC team. After a few seasons of disappointing losses in the state and FCIAC tournaments, the Lady Warriors finished the 1999 season with a 17-3 record and claimed their first FCIAC crown, along with the distinction of taking second place in the state tournament. The Warriors would reclaim themselves as FCIAC champions in the 2004 season, which also saw the team take home its first state title in a come-from-behind win over rival Darien.[18]
[edit] Notable alumni
- Paul Dano - Actor best known for his roles in The Girl Next Door, Little Miss Sunshine and There Will Be Blood.[19]
- Lydia Hearst-Shaw - supermodel, heiress, and socialite, daughter of Patty Hearst.
- Kristine Lilly - Member of the U.S. women's national team, three time Olympic medalist, has won four NCAA titles, and two FIFA World Cup Championships, was born and raised in the town.[20] The high school's north field was named after her.
- Mike Pressler - Former head coach of Duke Men's Lacrosse team, currently head coach for Bryant Men's Lacrosse team.[21]
- Simon Rosenberg (class of 1981) - Founder and President of New Democrat Network, a think-tank.
- John Scofield - Jazz guitarist, attended the school in the late 1960s.[22]
- Frank Sesno - CNN journalist and Professor of Media and Public Affairs at The George Washington University.
- Brit & Alex Smith - Child actors, appearing at the age of three in the soap opera One Life to Live.
- Donald Verrilli - United States Solicitor General.[23]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Cowan, Alison Leigh, "Play About Iraq War Divides a Connecticut School", news article in The New York Times Metro section, March 24, 2007
- ^ Wilton High School official website http://www.wilton.k12.ct.us/whs
- ^ a b [1] state "Strategic School Profile 2005-2006" for Wilton High School. Retrieved March 25, 2007.
- ^ Connecticut State High Schools - CT School Rankings
- ^ a b c d e [2] Student/teacher Web page for Wilton High School at Great Schools Web site. Retrieved March 25, 2007.
- ^ Town USA - Wilton, CT http://www.town-usa.com/connecticut/fairfield/wilton.html
- ^ a b Russell, Robert H., Wilton, Connecticut: Three Centuries of People, Places and Progress, Wilton: Wilton Historical Society, 2004, 2007, page 366
- ^ Russell, Robert H., Wilton, Connecticut: Three Centuries of People, Places and Progress, Wilton: Wilton Historical Society, 2004, 2007, pp 413-414
- ^ Russell, Robert H., Wilton, Connecticut: Three Centuries of People, Places and Progress, Wilton: Wilton Historical Society, 2004, 2007, pp 415-416
- ^ WHS Student Handbook http://www.wilton.k12.ct.us/whs/adm/stuhandbook.pdf
- ^ Russell, Robert H., Wilton, Connecticut: Three Centuries of People, Places and Progress, Wilton: Wilton Historical Society, 2004, 2007, pp 449-450
- ^ Russell, Robert H., Wilton, Connecticut: Three Centuries of People, Places and Progress, Wilton: Wilton Historical Society, 2004, 2007, page 541
- ^ Cowan, Alison Leigh (March 24, 2007). "Play About Iraq War Divides a Connecticut School,". New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C05E0D71530F937A15750C0A9619C8B63&scp=3&sq=wilton+voices+in+conflict&st=nyt&pagewanted=al. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
- ^ Ryzik, Melena (June 14, 2007). "Unwelcome at Home, Student Play Is a Hit in New York,". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/14/nyregion/14play.html?scp=1&sq=wilton+voices+in+conflict&st=nyt. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
- ^ "Voices in Conflict," Connecticut Public Broadcast Network.
- ^ Wilton Lacrosse History
- ^ http://rise.espn.go.com/lacrosse/team-rankings/Boys-2011-Rankings/Boys-2011.aspx?pursuit=Lacrosse
- ^ Our History
- ^ IMDB.com Paul Dano Bio http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0200452/bio
- ^ Women's Soccer World Online - Kristine Lilly http://www.womensoccer.com/biogs/lilly.html
- ^ Bryant Mobile
- ^ All About Jazz - John Scofield Bio http://www.allaboutjazz.com/artists/scofield.htm
- ^ Davis, Chris (January 31, 2011). "Obama picks Wilton grad as next Solicitor General". Wilton Bulletin. http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/wiltonbulletin/news/localnews/84396-obama-picks-wilton-grad-as-next-solicitor-general.html. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
[edit] External links
- Wilton High School website
- The Wilton High School Alumni Website
- State "Strategic School Profile 2005-2006" for Wilton High School
- Wilton High main Web page at Great Schools website
Coordinates: 41°12′39″N 73°25′59″W / 41.2108°N 73.433°W
|
|||||
