West Ottawa High School Explained

West Ottawa High School
Streetaddress:3685 Butternut Drive
Zipcode:49424
District:West Ottawa Public Schools
Superintendent:Tim Bearden
Staff:99.95
Grades:9-12
Enrollment:2,166
Enrollment As Of:2020-21
Principal:Kristine Jernigan
Nickname:Panthers
Newspaper:The West Ottawan
Yearbook:Icon
Athletics:MHSAA Class A, D-1
Conference:OK Conference
Red Division
Ratio:21.67
Colors: Black
White
Website:School website
Year:2021–22
M-Step Advanced:21.9 / 14.9
M-Step Proficient:21.9 / 34.4
M-Step Pr Proficient:16.3 / 37.7
M-Step Not Proficient:39.9 / 13.0
Sat Total:964.4
Sat Total Change:-61.1
Ref:[1]

West Ottawa High School is located in Ottawa County, Michigan. It is one of the four high schools in the Holland, Michigan area (along with Holland High School, Holland Christian High School and Black River Public School.)

History

A new section of the high school was constructed and completed in 2005 due to the large student body at the school (about 2,500 students). The current campus now consists of two buildings approximately 500 yards apart. In February 2022, Kristine Jernigan became the first female principal of West Ottawa.[2]

Academics

West Ottawa offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses[3] and an International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

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.

Arts

In 2007, West Ottawa was awarded the Grammy Foundation Signature School. West Ottawa was selected as a nationwide finalist in 2010.[4]

Band and Orchestra

The West Ottawa Band and Orchestra program is divided into three bands (Symphony, Wind Symphony, and 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.

The high school is home to the West Ottawa Percussion Ensemble, which was named best in the state in 2007 and 2008, and was given the opportunity to perform at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival at Western Michigan University.[5]

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.

Athletics

The West Ottawa varsity baseball team won the 2003 MHSAA state championship.[6]

The girls swimming team was the MHSAA Division 1 state champion in 2012.[7]

Demographics

The demographic breakdown of the 2,166 students enrolled in 2020-21 was:[8]

In addition, 797 students (36.8%) were eligible for reduced-price or free lunch.

Notable people

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MI School Data Annual Education Report. MI School Data. 2023-01-10.
  2. Web site: West Ottawa High School. 2022-02-25. West Ottawa Public Schools. en.
  3. http://www.westottawa.net/westottawa/files/2012/06/wohs_course_book_20122013.pdf
  4. Web site: West Ottawa's music department a finalist for national award. Staff reports. Holland Sentinel. 16 August 2015.
  5. Web site: Writer . Staff . West Ottawa singers have successful day . 2024-02-27 . The Holland Sentinel . en-US.
  6. Web site: Yearly Champions - Baseball - MHSAA Sports. www.mhsaa.com. 12 September 2018.
  7. Web site: Team Champions. mhsaa.com. 16 August 2015.
  8. Web site: Search for Public Schools - School Detail for West Ottawa High School Campus. 2022-02-25. nces.ed.gov. EN.
  9. Web site: Hall Of Fame. wopanthers.com. 12 September 2018.