West High School (Sioux City, Iowa)
42°30′40″N 96°26′49″W / 42.511°N 96.447°W
| West High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
2001 Casselman St , 51103 | |
| Coordinates | 43°33′11″N 96°40′26″W / 43.553°N 96.674°W |
| Information | |
| School type | Public, Secondary |
| Established | 1972 |
| School district | Sioux City School District (Iowa) |
| Superintendent | Dr. Paul R. Gausman |
| Principal | Dr. Vanderloo |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 1,404 |
| Student to teacher ratio | 16:1 |
| Campus type | Suburban |
| Color(s) | Green, and White |
| Mascot | Wolverines |
| Information | (712)279-6772 |
| Website | [1] |
West High School (commonly West, West High, or WHS) is a public secondary school located in Sioux City, Iowa with an enrollment of approximately 1,404 students. The school is a part of the Sioux City School District and is one of three public high schools in Sioux City.
History
West High School first opened its doors in 1972. Also in 1972 Sioux City's North High School opened, and a new building for Sioux City East High School opened. North High School and West High School replaced Sioux City's first high school, Central High (named Sioux City High school until the opening of East High School in 1918) which opened in 1892.
In 2000, West High's feeder middle school, West Middle School began construction of a new building directly west of West High School, which opened in January 2002. Unlike West High School, West Middle School opened in its original building in 1918. Due to construction of West Middle School, the track, baseball, and softball fields had to be moved and replaced, in order to make room for the new West Middle School.
In February 2007, a gang fight had occurred during a basketball game. Ten students were arrested, including a West Middle School student. In October of that same year, during Homecoming week, Wooly, the stuffed Wolverine in the main lobby, had been stolen. The case had been damaged, and the Wolverine was found in a students house. Four students and expelled, and were arrested on charges of burglary,which included a losing homecoming Queen candidate. The Wolverine had also been damaged, and could not be put back on display. After both events, the Student Council responded, saying that the events that occurred was not a reflection of the majority, only a vast few. The West High School Booster Club had raised enough money for a new Wolverine In August 2008, a new Wooly and case was up in time for the 2008-2009 school year.
On October 25, 2008, Sarah Palin (Vice-Presidential candidate for John McCain) held a rally in the school gym for the 2008 United States presidential election.
In October 2009. construction began of an expansion to the school building for 10 new brand new science classrooms. The expansion is directly integrating into to the main academic classroom on the south side, toward the east end of the building that already exists. Similar to the original construction, Sioux City's East and North High schools are also being expanded new wings, with the same scheduled construction completion and opening date, and are nearly identical in function and size. Construction is planned to finish for moving into the new science classrooms in October 2010.
Athletics and Arts
Former West High Basketball standout Kirk Hinrich is the current Washington Wizards point guard who graduated in 1999. That year, the West High School Basketball team won the Iowa State Basketball Championships. In 2009, the West High School basketball team competed for a spot in the Iowa State Championships for the first time since 1999. They lost to Sioux City East High School.
In 2007, 2008, and 2009 the West High School Jazz Band has competed for State Jazz Champions, at the Iowa Jazz Championships in Des Moines, IA. They received 7th place in Class 4A in 2007.
As of 2009 the West High Dance Squad has entered in 136 Competition Routines at the Iowa Contest and has placed 1st-104 times, 2nd-24 times, 3rd-7 times, and 4th-1 time.
School Leadership
- Dr. Vanderloo, Principal
- Chris Erickson, Asst. Principal
- Dr. Wyant, Asst. Principal
- J. Stukenholtz, Activities Coordinator
Bus service
The school is serviced by Sioux City Transit, which is open to all fare-paying passengers Monday to Friday during the school year.