West High School (Utah)
| West High School-Salt Lake City | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
|
Salt Lake City, Utah USA | |
| Coordinates | 40°46′29″N 111°54′02″W / 40.77472°N 111.90056°WCoordinates: 40°46′29″N 111°54′02″W / 40.77472°N 111.90056°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public secondary |
| Motto | West High, home of Scholars and Champions! |
| Established | 1890 |
| Oversight | Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) |
| Principal | Paul S. Sagers |
| Grades | 9–12 (7-8 for ELP) |
| Number of students | 2,559 (2010-2011) |
| Color(s) | Red and Black |
| Athletics conference | Big 8 |
| Mascot | Panther |
| Newspaper | The Red & Black |
| Website | http://west.slcschools.org/ |
West High School is the oldest high school in the U.S. state of Utah. It was founded in 1890, and it is part of the Salt Lake City School District.[1] Its original name was Salt Lake High. The school colors are red and black and the school mascot is a panther. It has a current enrollment of 2,559.
Facilities
West High is located in Salt Lake City, close to downtown, at 241 North 300 West. The historical structure still functions as the school's main building, and has undergone major restorations. It is surrounded by newer buildings, and the newly updated stadium. West High is easily accessible because it is three blocks away from the UTA TRAX line (Salt Lake valley's light rail system) and close to the Gateway Mall. Several films have been filmed at West High and it has been noted in the History Channel's Gangland TV series.
Academics
West High hosts the state's longest running International Baccalaureate program and offers most Advanced Placement classes. West High consistently produces National Merit Scholars, and the top percentage of students are regularly accepted to the nation's top universities, including Harvard, Duke University, Princeton University, UC Berkeley, and Stanford. The school also receives state- and nationwide recognition for its Science Olympiad teams, outstanding debate program (ranked as one of the top 40 teams in the country), its Model United Nations program (ranked in the top 15 in the National High School Model United Nations competition), its DECA program (individual students consistently ranking in the top 10 in the International DECA competition), its chess team (consistent state champions), its math and science teams (consistent state champions), its vast array of clubs, and its gifted teachers.
The Supervisory Departments are the following: Community Education, CTE, ELP/AP/IB, ESL/Reading, Family Involvement, Fine Arts, Guidance, Health, Media, PE, Navy JROTC, Science, Social Sciences, Special Education, and World Languages.
Athletics
West High students participate at state tournaments in the following sports, according to the season:
- Fall sports: cross country, football, boys' golf, soccer (girls'), tennis (girls'), volleyball.
- Winter sports: basketball (boys'), basketball (girls'), wrestling, swimming.
- Spring sports: lacrosse, baseball, soccer, softball, tennis (boys'), track, girls' golf.
West High has won 21 state football championships 1898-1992 and hold many records in football. Many players and coaches have gone on to major sports programs. West's boys' basketball team beat Provo high school in the 2009 state championship game, ending Provo's 40 game win streak and earning West High its first championship since 1975.
School-sponsored clubs
The Science Olympiad team, Model UN, math, debate, mock trial, chess, and DECA clubs are among the most successful in the state.
Science Olympiad, under the leadership of Madam Hansen, consistently wins top honors at the state and regional competition. In 2011, the team won 2nd place, beating perennial favorite Davis High School.
The chess team routinely wins the state championship, while members of the 7th and 8th grade Mathcounts team have competed at nationals.
West High's mock trial teams regularly place in the top four at state. In 2013, West High's junior mock trial team took 1st in state and their two senior teams took 2nd and 4th in state.
P.A.W. (Peace at West) is a newly organized club receiving much attention for its social activism and awareness within the school.
The debate team is ranked as one of the top 40 teams in the country. The Model United Nations team was ranked in the top 15 in the 2007 National High School Model United Nations competition. The DECA program consistently has individual members placing in the top 10 in the International DECA competition.
Notable alumni
- Harold W. Ross, founder of The New Yorker magazine.
- Mark Willes, CEO of LA Times and General Mills.
- Larry H. Miller, prominent businessman, former owner of the Utah Jazz.
- Thomas S. Monson, President of the LDS Church.
- Clayton Christensen, Harvard Business School Professor and bestselling author.
- Shannon Hale, Class of 1992, young adult author.
- Dick Nemelka, former ABA basketball player
- George Von Elm, prominent golfer in 1920s and 1930s
- Earl Holding owner of Sinclair Oil
- Aldo Richins, American football player
- Tony Finau, PGA golfer
- D. Frank Wilkins, Utah Supreme Court Justice
- Robison Wells, young adult author
- Dan Wells, horror and young adult author