West Ottawa High School
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| West Ottawa High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
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3685 Butternut Drive , 49424 | |
| Coordinates | 42°50′08″N 86°09′10″W / 42.8355°N 86.1527°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| School district | West Ottawa Public Schools |
| Superintendent | Thomas Martin |
| Principal | Jason Reinecke[1] |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 2340 (2013-2014) |
| Color(s) | Black and White |
| Athletics conference | Ottawa-Kent Red, Class A, Division 1 |
| Nickname | Panthers |
| Website | School website |
West Ottawa High School is located in Ottawa County, Michigan. Along with Holland High School, Holland Christian High School and Black River Public School, West Ottawa is one of four high schools in the Holland, Michigan area. Due to the large student body at the school (about 2,500 students), a new section of the high school was constructed and completed in 2005, and the high school campus now consists of two buildings approximately 500 yards apart. The principal is Todd Tulgestke.[1]
Athletics
The West Ottawa varsity baseball team won the 2003 MHSAA state championship.[2]
The girls swimming team was the MHSAA Division 1 state champion in 2012.[3]
Academics
Advanced Placement
West Ottawa High School offers the most Advanced Placement (AP) courses of all the schools in the immediate area. For the 2012-2013 school year, West Ottawa offered the following AP courses: Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Computer Science, English Language, English Literature, Environmental Science, European History, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Physics, Psychology, Spanish, Statistics, Studio Art, U.S. Government, and U.S. History.[4]
Dual-Enrollment
Students also have the opportunity to participate in dual-enrollment programs with area colleges. Participating colleges include Davenport University, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College, Hope College, and Kendall College of Art and Design.[4]
International Baccalaureate
West Ottawa offers an International Baccalaureate (IB) program. This program played a significant part in LG Chemical selecting West Michigan for its North American Battery manufacturing plant, who wanted the IB program available for their employees' children.[citation needed]
Arts
In 2007, West Ottawa was awarded the Grammy Foundation Signature School. It is 1 out of 27 schools in the country to achieve this award, which requires a school to excel in all 3 music groups. West Ottawa was selected as a nationwide finalist in 2010.[5]
Band and Orchestra
The West Ottawa Band and Orchestra program is divided into four bands (Symphony, Wind Symphony, Concert and Wind Concert) and three orchestras (Concert Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra).
The West Ottawa Marching Panthers participate in the Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association (MSBOA) District 10 Marching Festival, the area Christmas Parade, Tulip Time Parades, and Memorial Day Parade.
In addition, West Ottawa High School holds the West Ottawa Percussion Ensemble. In 2007, and again in 2008, the ensemble was named best in the state, and given the opportunity to perform at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival at Western Michigan University.[citation needed]
Choir
Choirs include the Vocalaires, Men Of West Ottawa, West Ottawa Select Women's Ensemble, Bella Voce and Bel Canto
Theatre
Each year, West Ottawa Theatre presents 3 productions: a large-scale fall musical, a large-scale winter or spring play, and a middle school musical. West Ottawa is Troupe 5081 in the International Thespian Society.
Notable people
- Margo F. Jonker - former softball coach, now head coach at Central Michigan University.
- Desmond Morgan - Linebacker at U of M.
- Matt Vanderbeek - former NFL player.[6]
References
- ^ a b West Ottawa High School
- ^ "Yearly Champions - Baseball - MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
- ^ "Team Champions". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
- ^ a b http://www.westottawa.net/westottawa/files/2012/06/wohs_course_book_20122013.pdf
- ^ Staff reports. "West Ottawa's music department a finalist for national award". Holland Sentinel. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
- ^ "Hall Of Fame". wopanthers.com. Retrieved 12 September 2018.