W. F. West High School

William F. West High School, commonly referred to as W. F. West, is a public high school in Chehalis, Washington, United States. It is the only high school in the Chehalis School District. It was named for local businessman William F. West, who donated money and land to the school district. The school prides itself in the amount of scholarships given out yearly. Many students travel out of district to attend. The school added a brand new science wing in 2018.

W. F. West High School
Address
342 SW 16th St.

Chehalis, Washington
98532
Coordinates46°38′59″N 122°56′57″W
Information
School typePublic high school
Established1892 (renamed W. F. West High School 1951)
School districtChehalis School District
PrincipalBob Walters
Teaching staff46.66 (FTE)[1]
Grades9–12
Enrollment1,031 (2019–20)[1]
Student to teacher ratio22.10[1]
Color(s)Crimson & Gray
   
MascotBearcats
NewspaperThe Crimson and Gray
Websitechehalisschools.org/wfw/

Academics and graduation rates

Academics

Students receive free access to the PSAT due to funding provided by a local organization, the Chehalis Foundation. With help from school officials, each senior is required to submit an application for acceptance to Centralia College, a program started by the school district to achieve high rates of graduation, college admission, and career opportunities for the students.[2]

The high school has been host to a University of Washington STEM camp since the early 2010s . A weeklong summer day-camp, the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics classes are held at W.F. West's STEM wing and are open to all students of high school age, regardless of school district. The educational opportunity is based on a partnership between the university and the Chehalis Foundation.[3][4]

Beginning in early 2023, students can participate in the "Crimson & Gray", a coffee shop in the school. The shop, part of a business and marketing class supported through the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), is run in-full by the students.[5]

Graduation rates

The graduation rate in 2010 was 77% and 1/3rd of those students achieved admission into a university or training school.[2] In 2018, 73% of seniors who graduated went on to further higher education.[6] That rate increased to 100% in 2019, beginning a four year stretch in which the entire graduating senior classes were accepted into college.[7] In 2019, the four-year graduation rate was 95%, bettering the state average by 14 points.[6]

Extracurricular activities

The school sponsors the following sports and extracurricular activities:

Sports and sporting achievements

The school's athletic teams compete as the Bearcats as a member of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association in the 2A Evergreen Conference.

The high school's gymnasium hosted the first-ever meeting between the rival Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle SuperSonics in an NBA pre-season exhibition game on September 30, 1970.[8]

State titles
  • The Bearcats were fastpitch WIAA 2A State Champions in 2015, as well as baseball State Champions in 2010 and 2013..
  • The women's basketball team was awarded the Class 2A state basketball title in 2014 and 2018, the latter championship achieved by overcoming Archbishop Murphy High School by the score of 64-52.[9]

Traditions

The graduating class of W.F. West High School holds a local parade that traverses through several neighborhood and business districts in Chehalis, ending at Stan Hedwall Park. It is customary for seniors to receive various physical or monetary gifts during the senior year and at graduation, paid for by a fund raised by parents.[6]

Notable alumni

References
  1. "W F West High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  2. Zylstra, Matthew (September 29, 2022). "'This Doesn't Just Happen by Chance': How the Chehalis School District Became a Jewel in Public Education". The Chronicle. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  3. The Chronicle staff (July 28, 2023). "Chehalis, Aberdeen schools to co-host University of Washington for STEM camp". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  4. Heldring, Thatcher (August 12, 2018). "Lewis County students see biomedical research firsthand". UW Medicine Newsroom. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  5. Fitzgerald, Emily (September 29, 2023). "Crimson & Gray: W.F. West High School students learn business skills in school-based coffee shop". The Chronicle. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  6. Long, Katherine (June 6, 2020). "Small towns find new ways to celebrate high-school graduation amid coronavirus restrictions". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  7. "Every Graduating W.F. West Senior Has Been Accepted Into College, District Announces". The Chronicle. June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  8. "Chehalis NBA Contest Viewed Historic Event". The Daily Chronicle. September 26, 1970. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  9. Ringer, Sandy (March 3, 2018). "Archbishop Murphy girls come close, but late run ends state-title dreams". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  10. VanTuyl, Aaron (January 28, 2010). "Breaking Down the Past With the 1960 Bearcats". The Chronicle. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  11. Zylstra, Matthew (April 26, 2023). "Nazi Germany Refugee, Famous Ad Campaign Executive, W.F. West Grad Speaks About Life". The Chronicle. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
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