Willis High School

Willis High School is a public senior high school in Conroe, Texas,[2][3] with a Willis postal address. It is a part of the Willis Independent School District.

Not to be confused with the former Willis High School in Willis, Kansas.
Willis High School
Address
1201 FM 830

Willis
,
Texas
77378

United States
Information
School typePublic high school
MottoOne Team, One Purpose
School districtWillis Independent School District
CEEB code447565
NCES School ID484590005228[1]
PrincipalEric King
Faculty120.50 (on an FTE basis)
Grades9-12
Enrollment2,090[1] (2018–2019)
Student to teacher ratio17.34
CampusRural: Fringe
Color(s)    Purple & White
Athletics conferenceUIL Class 6A
MascotWildkat
WebsiteWillis High School

History

The school was opened in 1995 and replaced the previous Willis High School now known as Lynn Lucas Middle School[4] In 2004 the school had about 1,440 students.[5] Ben Cooper was the principal until 2006. That year, Tim Patton became the principal.[6] On June 10, 2010, he was reassigned to a position in the district's headquarters.[7] After a local drag queen was invited as a guest speaker for a cosmetology class, community backlash resulted in more stringent regulations regarding school speakers.[8] In 2023 the school had an enrollment of 2,496[9]

Demographics

In the 2018–2019 school year, there were 2,090 students enrolled at Willis High School. The ethnic distribution of students was as follows:[1]

54.3% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. The school received Title I funding.

Academics

For each academic year, the Texas Education Agency rates school performance using an A–F grading system based on statistical data. For 2018–2019, the school received a score of 81 out of 100, resulting in a B grade. The school received a score of 71 the previous year.[10]

Programs

The district offered a "Kats at Night" (KAN) night school program. The State of Texas provided a $80,000 grant to Willis ISD to establish the program. The first students graduated in October 2004.[5] At an unknown date, this program was removed.

Fine Arts

Band

Choir

Theatre

Dance

Visual Arts[11]

Dual Credit (DC)

Dual Credit is the most challenging advanced class type offered in the school. DC classes are college classes designed for college students. DC credit can be redeemed at the Lone Star College (LSC) System, but can also be transferred to a different college that accepts LSC credit. You receive LSC credit by passing the class. You can also take the class's respective College Board AP exam to receive credit valid at any college that accepts your score of 1-5.

Offered courses

English

History/Social Science

Math

Science

Advanced Placement (AP)

Advanced Placement is the second most challenging advanced class type offered in the school. AP classes are college classes designed for high school students. In order to receive college credit for the class you need to take the College Board AP exam.

Offered courses

English

History/Social Science

Math

Science Course Options

Honors [formerly Pre-AP]

Honors classes are the least challenging advanced classes offered at the school. Honors classes are more challenging versions of their level variants, but easier than their AP/DC variants. These classes do not offer any sort of college credit but do give you an advantage in your GPA.

Offered courses

English

History/Social Science

Math

Science

[12]

Athletics

Danny Freeman served as the varsity baseball team coach until 2000, when he became the American football defense coordinator at Montgomery High School.[13]

Rick Cullum served as the head American football coach until May 2006. Mack Malone, who was already a part of the athletic staff, replaced him as coach. By 2007 the school was looking for a new coach, and Malone was given a new job.[14]

As of 2004 Amanda Bussell served as the varsity softball coach; she graduated from Oak Ridge High School and previously was an assistant at Montgomery High School.[15]

For UIL events, Willis High school will compete in class 6A, the classification for the largest schools, for the 2020–2022 cycle. The school was only three students above the threshold for entering class 6A. For athletics, the school will compete in District 13 with five Conroe ISD schools as part of the smallest 6A district in Texas.[16]

Alumni

References
  1. "Search for Public Schools - WILLIS H S (484590005228)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  2. "City Limits Through June 2019". City of Conroe. Retrieved 2019-07-18. - See also annexation map which indicates it in parcel 2163-13-1
  3. "Home". Willis High School. Retrieved 2019-07-18. 10005 Highway 75 North, Willis, TX 77378
  4. Willis A Proud Past and Brighter Future...Collector's Limited Edition 1995 (PDF). 1995. p. 11. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  5. Breslin, Bill (2004-10-21). "First students earn diplomas from alternative high school program". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
  6. Micek, Kassia (2006-08-15). "Patton takes over as Willis High principal". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
  7. Micek, Kassia (2010-08-02). "CISD expected to hire Patton". The Woodlands Villager at the Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
  8. "Community divided over Willis High School drag queen event". 12 November 2019.
  9. "Willis High School in Willis, TX - US News Best High Schools". U.S.News. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  10. "Overview: Willis H S". Texas Education Agency. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  11. "Fine Arts". Willis ISD. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  12. "Advanced Academics". Willis ISD. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  13. Jones, Mike (2000-04-17). "'Proud to have been Wildkat…excited about being a Bear'". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
  14. Roden, Howard (2007-11-13). "WHS makes football coaching change". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
  15. "Willis High School softball coach has strong ties to Montgomery County". Houston Chronicle. 2004-03-29. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
  16. "Realignment notes: 5 Conroe ISD schools, Willis form state's smallest 6A district". Houston Chronicle. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.

30.3923°N 95.4775°W / 30.3923; -95.4775


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