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{{short description|High school in Essex County, New Jersey, United States}}
{{short description|High school in Essex County, New Jersey, US}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
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| type = [[state school|Public]] [[Secondary education in the United States|high school]]
| type = [[state school|Public]] [[Secondary education in the United States|high school]]
| principal = Oscar Guerrero
| principal = Oscar Guerrero
| enrollment = 2,142 (as of 2021–22)<ref name=NCES/>
| enrollment = 2,208 (as of 2023–24)<ref name=NCES/>
| faculty = 191.2 [[full-time equivalent|FTEs]]<ref name=NCES/>
| faculty = 192.7 [[full-time equivalent|FTEs]]<ref name=NCES/>
| ratio = 11.2:1<ref name=NCES/>
| ratio = 11.5:1<ref name=NCES/>
| us_nces_school_id = 341761002468<ref name=NCES/>
| us_nces_school_id = 341761002468<ref name=NCES/>
| teamname = Mountaineers<ref name=NJSIAAprofile/>
| teamname = Mountaineers<ref name=NJSIAAprofile/>
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'''West Orange High School''' ('''WOHS''') is a [[comprehensive high school|comprehensive]] four-year community [[state school|public]] [[Secondary education in the United States|high school]], serving students in [[ninth grade|ninth]] through [[twelfth grade]]s from [[West Orange, New Jersey|West Orange]] in [[Essex County, New Jersey|Essex County]], in the [[U.S. state]] of [[New Jersey]]. Since the closure of West Orange Mountain High School, WOHS is the only secondary school serving the [[West Orange Public Schools]]. West Orange High School has been accredited by the [[New Jersey Department of Education]] and by the [[Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools]] Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools since 1928.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120315153806/http://www.css-msa.org/search.php?MODE=VIEW%28NJ372%29&org=CSS West Orange High School], [[Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools]] Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools, backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of March 15, 2012. Accessed March 30, 2015.</ref>
'''West Orange High School''' ('''WOHS''') is a [[comprehensive high school|comprehensive]] four-year community [[state school|public]] [[Secondary education in the United States|high school]], serving students in [[ninth grade|ninth]] through [[twelfth grade]]s from [[West Orange, New Jersey|West Orange]] in [[Essex County, New Jersey|Essex County]], in the [[U.S. state]] of [[New Jersey]]. Since the closure of West Orange Mountain High School, WOHS is the only secondary school serving the [[West Orange Public Schools]]. West Orange High School has been accredited by the [[New Jersey Department of Education]] and by the [[Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools]] Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools since 1928.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120315153806/http://www.css-msa.org/search.php?MODE=VIEW%28NJ372%29&org=CSS West Orange High School], [[Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools]] Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools, backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of March 15, 2012. Accessed March 30, 2015.</ref>


As of the 2021–22 school year, the school had an enrollment of 2,142 students and 191.2 classroom teachers (on an [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis), for a [[student–teacher ratio]] of 11.2:1. There were 893 students (41.7% of enrollment) eligible for [[National School Lunch Act|free lunch]] and 136 (6.3% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch.<ref name=NCES>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3417610&ID=341761002468 School data for West Orange High School], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref>
As of the 2023–24 school year, the school had an enrollment of 2,208 students and 192.7 classroom teachers (on an [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis), for a [[student–teacher ratio]] of 11.5:1. There were 762 students (34.5% of enrollment) eligible for [[National School Lunch Act|free lunch]] and 205 (9.3% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch.<ref name=NCES>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3417610&ID=341761002468 School data for West Orange High School], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed December 15, 2024.</ref>


==Faculty and academics==
==Faculty and academics==
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The school was the 170th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 339 schools statewide in ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'' magazine's September 2014 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", using a new ranking methodology.<ref>Staff. [http://njmonthly.com/articles/towns_and_schools/top-schools-alphabetical-list.html "Top Schools Alphabetical List 2014"], ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'', September 2, 2014. Accessed September 5, 2014.</ref> The school had been ranked 136th in the state of 328 schools in 2012, after being ranked 128th in 2010 out of 322 schools listed.<ref>Staff. [http://njmonthly.com/articles/towns_and_schools/the-top-new-jersey-high-schools-alphabetical.html "The Top New Jersey High Schools: Alphabetical"], ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'', August 16, 2012. Accessed September 24, 2012.</ref> The magazine ranked the school 114th in 2008 out of 316 schools.<ref>Staff. [http://njmonthly.com/articles/towns_and_schools/highschoolrankings/top-high-schools-2010.html "2010 Top High Schools"], ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'', August 16, 2010. Accessed April 5, 2011.</ref> The school was ranked 98th in the magazine's September 2006 issue, which surveyed 316 schools across the state.<ref name=NJMonthly>[http://njmonthly.com/articles/towns_and_schools/highschoolrankings/top-new-jersey-high-schools-by-rank.html "Top New Jersey High Schools 2008: By Rank"], ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'', September 2008, posted August 7, 2008. Accessed August 19, 2008.</ref>
The school was the 170th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 339 schools statewide in ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'' magazine's September 2014 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", using a new ranking methodology.<ref>Staff. [http://njmonthly.com/articles/towns_and_schools/top-schools-alphabetical-list.html "Top Schools Alphabetical List 2014"], ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'', September 2, 2014. Accessed September 5, 2014.</ref> The school had been ranked 136th in the state of 328 schools in 2012, after being ranked 128th in 2010 out of 322 schools listed.<ref>Staff. [http://njmonthly.com/articles/towns_and_schools/the-top-new-jersey-high-schools-alphabetical.html "The Top New Jersey High Schools: Alphabetical"], ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'', August 16, 2012. Accessed September 24, 2012.</ref> The magazine ranked the school 114th in 2008 out of 316 schools.<ref>Staff. [http://njmonthly.com/articles/towns_and_schools/highschoolrankings/top-high-schools-2010.html "2010 Top High Schools"], ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'', August 16, 2010. Accessed April 5, 2011.</ref> The school was ranked 98th in the magazine's September 2006 issue, which surveyed 316 schools across the state.<ref name=NJMonthly>[http://njmonthly.com/articles/towns_and_schools/highschoolrankings/top-new-jersey-high-schools-by-rank.html "Top New Jersey High Schools 2008: By Rank"], ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'', September 2008, posted August 7, 2008. Accessed August 19, 2008.</ref>


For the 1998–99 school year, West Orange High School was named a "Star School" by the [[New Jersey Department of Education]], the highest honor that a New Jersey school can achieve.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/education/ss/ss3.pl?string=id=057&maxhits=10000 Star School Award recipient detail 1998-99 school year, West Orange High School], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed May 29, 2006.</ref>
For the 1998–99 school year, West Orange High School was named a "Star School" by the [[New Jersey Department of Education]], the highest honor that a New Jersey school can achieve.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/education/ss/ss3.pl?string=id=057&maxhits=10000 Star School Award recipient detail 1998-99 school year, West Orange High School] {{Webarchive | url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040112121044/https://www.nj.gov/cgi-bin/education/ss/ss3.pl?string=id=057&maxhits=10000 | date=January 12, 2004}}, [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed July 4, 2024.</ref>


West Orange High School applied for, and was awarded, a Dodge Grant for the 2004–05 academic year through [[Montclair State University]]. The focus of the grant is to explore how to develop a Conflict Resolution program responsive to the needs of West Orange High School. The Dodge Grant Team spent a year researching and developing a potential Conflict Resolution Model for West Orange High School.
West Orange High School applied for, and was awarded, a Dodge Grant for the 2004–05 academic year through [[Montclair State University]]. The focus of the grant is to explore how to develop a Conflict Resolution program responsive to the needs of West Orange High School. The Dodge Grant Team spent a year researching and developing a potential Conflict Resolution Model for West Orange High School.


==Athletics==
==Athletics==
The West Orange High School Mountaineers<ref name=NJSIAAprofile>[https://www.njsiaa.org/schools/west-orange-high-school West Orange High School], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed October 20, 2020.</ref> compete in the [[Super Essex Conference]], which is comprised of public and private high schools in Essex County and was established following a reorganization of sports leagues in Northern New Jersey by the [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]] (NJSIAA).<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2020-10/2020-2021-lc-officers-schools.pdf League & Conference Officers/Affiliated Schools 2020-2021], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed October 20, 2020.</ref> Before the NJSIAA's 2010 realignment, the school had competed in the [[Northern Hills Conference]] an athletic conference comprised of public and private high schools located in Essex, [[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris]] and [[Passaic County, New Jersey|Passaic]] counties.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110128150637/http://northernhillsconference.com/ Home Page], [[Northern Hills Conference]], backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of January 28, 2011. Accessed November 25, 2014.</ref> With 1,574 students in grades 10-12, the school was classified by the NJSIAA for the 2019–20 school year as Group IV for most athletic competition purposes, which included schools with an enrollment of 1,060 to 5,049 students in that grade range.<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2020-11/general-classifications-2018-2020.pdf NJSIAA General Public School Classifications 2019–2020], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed November 20, 2020.</ref> The football team competes in the Liberty White division of the [[North Jersey Super Football Conference]], which includes 112 schools competing in 20 divisions, making it the nation's biggest football-only high school sports league.<ref>Cooper, Darren. [https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/high-school/darren-cooper/2020/07/23/nj-football-analyzing-new-super-football-conference-2020-schedule/5496440002/ "Here's what we know about the new Super Football Conference 2020 schedule"], ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', July 23, 2020. Accessed March 22, 2021. "The Super Football Conference (SFC) is a 112-team group, the largest high school football-only conference in America, and is comprised of teams from five different counties."</ref><ref>Cooper, Darren. [https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2020/07/23/super-football-conference-revised-schedules-2020-regular-season/5494017002/ "NJ football: Super Football Conference revised schedules for 2020 regular season"], ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', July 23, 2020. Accessed March 22, 2021. "The Super Football Conference has 112 teams that will play across 20 divisions."</ref> The school was classified by the NJSIAA as Group V North for football for 2022–2024, which included schools with 1,313 to 5,304 students.<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2022-08/Football%20%2722%20%26%20%2723.pdf NJSIAA Football Public School Classifications 2022–2024], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref>
The West Orange High School Mountaineers<ref name=NJSIAAprofile>[https://www.njsiaa.org/schools/west-orange-high-school West Orange High School], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed October 20, 2020.</ref> compete in the [[Super Essex Conference]], which is comprised of public and private high schools in Essex County and was established following a reorganization of sports leagues in Northern New Jersey by the [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]] (NJSIAA).<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2020-10/2020-2021-lc-officers-schools.pdf League & Conference Officers/Affiliated Schools 2020-2021], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed October 20, 2020.</ref> Before the NJSIAA's 2010 realignment, the school had competed in the [[Northern Hills Conference]] an athletic conference comprised of public and private high schools located in Essex, [[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris]] and [[Passaic County, New Jersey|Passaic]] counties.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110128150637/http://northernhillsconference.com/ Home Page], [[Northern Hills Conference]], backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of January 28, 2011. Accessed November 25, 2014.</ref> With 1,574 students in grades 10-12, the school was classified by the NJSIAA for the 2019–20 school year as Group IV for most athletic competition purposes, which included schools with an enrollment of 1,060 to 5,049 students in that grade range.<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2020-11/general-classifications-2018-2020.pdf NJSIAA General Public School Classifications 2019–2020], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed November 20, 2020.</ref> The football team competes in the Liberty White division of the [[North Jersey Super Football Conference]], which includes 112 schools competing in 20 divisions, making it the nation's biggest football-only high school sports league.<ref>Cooper, Darren. [https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/high-school/darren-cooper/2020/07/23/nj-football-analyzing-new-super-football-conference-2020-schedule/5496440002/ "Here's what we know about the new Super Football Conference 2020 schedule"], ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', July 23, 2020. Accessed March 22, 2021. "The Super Football Conference (SFC) is a 112-team group, the largest high school football-only conference in America, and is comprised of teams from five different counties."</ref><ref>Cooper, Darren. [https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2020/07/23/super-football-conference-revised-schedules-2020-regular-season/5494017002/ "NJ football: Super Football Conference revised schedules for 2020 regular season"], ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', July 23, 2020. Accessed March 22, 2021. "The Super Football Conference has 112 teams that will play across 20 divisions."</ref> The school was classified by the NJSIAA as Group V North for football for 2024–2026, which included schools with 1,317 to 5,409 students.<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2024-08/football-2024-2026.pdf NJSIAA Football Public School Classifications 2024–2026], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]], updated September 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024.</ref>


The boys' basketball team won the Group III state championship in 1936 (defeating [[Memorial High School (Millville, New Jersey)|Millville Memorial High School]] in the tournament final) and won the Group IV title in 1949 (vs. [[Emerson High School (Union City, New Jersey)|Emerson High School]]).<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2020-11/2020-basketball-history_0.pdf NJSIAA Boys Basketball Championship History], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed September 1, 2022.</ref> The 1935 team defeated Millville by a score of 35-24 to win the Group III state finals in the title game played at [[Rutgers University]].<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/447877815/ "Millville, Merchants Lose In Tourney Finals; West Orange Has Big Second Period to Conquer 'Millers' 35 to 24"], ''[[Courier-Post]]'', March 23, 1936. Accessed February 28, 2021. "Long distance sharpshooting and big second period enabled West Orange High to tuck away the New Jersey Group 3 basketball championship at the expense of Watts Chance's Millville High quintet. After brushing past the opposition in impressive fashion in the preliminary eliminations of the N. J. S. I. A. A. tournament, the Millville five lost out in the state title round last Saturday night, at Rutgers University. The score was 35 to 24."</ref>
The boys' basketball team won the Group III state championship in 1936 (defeating [[Memorial High School (Millville, New Jersey)|Millville Memorial High School]] in the tournament final) and won the Group IV title in 1949 (vs. [[Emerson High School (Union City, New Jersey)|Emerson High School]]).<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2020-11/2020-basketball-history_0.pdf NJSIAA Boys Basketball Championship History], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed September 1, 2022.</ref> The 1935 team defeated Millville by a score of 35-24 to win the Group III state finals in the title game played at [[Rutgers University]].<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/447877815/ "Millville, Merchants Lose In Tourney Finals; West Orange Has Big Second Period to Conquer 'Millers' 35 to 24"], ''[[Courier-Post]]'', March 23, 1936. Accessed February 28, 2021. "Long distance sharpshooting and big second period enabled West Orange High to tuck away the New Jersey Group 3 basketball championship at the expense of Watts Chance's Millville High quintet. After brushing past the opposition in impressive fashion in the preliminary eliminations of the N. J. S. I. A. A. tournament, the Millville five lost out in the state title round last Saturday night, at Rutgers University. The score was 35 to 24."</ref>
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The boys' swimming team won the Division B state championship in 1963.<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2020-11/20-swimming-history.pdf History of NJSIAA Team Swimming], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed November 20, 2020.</ref>
The boys' swimming team won the Division B state championship in 1963.<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2020-11/20-swimming-history.pdf History of NJSIAA Team Swimming], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed November 20, 2020.</ref>


The boys' baseball team won the North II Group III state championship in 1967 and won the Group III state title in 1971 (against runner-up [[Bridgewater-Raritan High School]] in the final of the playoffs).<ref name=NJSIAABaseball>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2020-11/20-baseball-history.pdf NJSIAA Baseball Championship History], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref>
The boys' baseball team won the North II Group III state championship in 1967 and won the Group III state title in 1971 (against runner-up [[Bridgewater-Raritan High School|Bridgewater-Raritan High School East]] in the final of the playoffs).<ref name=NJSIAABaseball>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2024-02/Baseball.pdf Baseball Championship History: 1959–2024], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]], updated September 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024.</ref>


The girls' tennis team won the Group IV state championship in 1984 (defeating [[Cherry Hill High School East]] in the final match of the tournament), 1985 (vs. [[Ridgewood High School (New Jersey)|Ridgewood High School]]) and 1986 (vs. Cherry Hill High School East); the team lost to [[Red Bank Catholic High School]] in the finals of the [[Tournament of Champions (NJSIAA)|Tournament of Champions]] in both 1984 and 1985, before defeating Red Bank Catholic in 1986 to win the overall state championship.<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2021-10/21-girls-team-tennis-history.pdf History of Girls Team Tennis Championship Tournament], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed September 1, 2022.</ref>
The girls' tennis team won the Group IV state championship in 1984 (defeating [[Cherry Hill High School East]] in the final match of the tournament), 1985 (vs. [[Ridgewood High School (New Jersey)|Ridgewood High School]]) and 1986 (vs. Cherry Hill High School East); the team lost to [[Red Bank Catholic High School]] in the finals of the [[Tournament of Champions (NJSIAA)|Tournament of Champions]] in both 1984 and 1985, before defeating Red Bank Catholic in 1986 to win the overall state championship.<ref name=NJSIAAGirlsTennis>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2023-10/Girls%20Tennis.pdf Girls Tennis Championship History: 1971–2023], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]], updated November 2023. Accessed September 1, 2024.</ref>


The school's marching band, the Marching Mountaineers, were three-year [[United States Scholastic Band Association]] (USSBA) Group V Open State Champs (2005, 2006, 2009), [[USSBA]] Group V Open Northern State Champs (2009), and ninth in the northeastern region as of 2007 BOA (Bands of America). In addition, their Color Guard is nationally known for their "globe-tossing" performance.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}
The school's marching band, the Marching Mountaineers, were three-year [[United States Scholastic Band Association]] (USSBA) Group V Open State Champs (2005, 2006, 2009), [[USSBA]] Group V Open Northern State Champs (2009), and ninth in the northeastern region as of 2007 BOA (Bands of America). In addition, their Color Guard is nationally known for their "globe-tossing" performance.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}
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== Administration ==
== Administration ==
The school's principal is Oscar Guerrero. His administration team includes four assistant principals.<ref>[http://woboe.org/domain/69 About Us], West Orange High School. Accessed December 14, 2022.</ref>
The school's principal is Oscar Guerrero. His administration team includes four assistant principals.<ref>[http://woboe.org/domain/69 About Us], West Orange High School. Accessed December 4, 2024.</ref>


==Notable alumni==
==Notable alumni==
{{Category see also|West Orange High School (New Jersey) alumni}}
{{Category see also|West Orange High School (New Jersey) alumni}}
Notable alumni of West Orange High School and West Orange Mountain High School include:
Notable alumni of West Orange High School and West Orange Mountain High School include:
* [[Anna Easter Brown]] (1879-1957, class of 1897), founder of [[Alpha Kappa Alpha]] sorority.<ref>Ricci, Joe. [https://www.tapinto.net/towns/west-orange/articles/anna-easter-brown-historic-marker-unveiled-at-wes "Anna Easter Brown Historic Marker Unveiled at West Orange Library"], West Orange Patch, February 7, 2016. Accessed November 21, 2017. "The marker highlights the accomplishments of Anna Easter Brown, an African-American woman born and raised in West Orange, who graduated from West Orange High School in 1897."</ref>
* [[Anna Easter Brown]] (1879-1957, class of 1897), founder of [[Alpha Kappa Alpha]] sorority<ref>Ricci, Joe. [https://www.tapinto.net/towns/west-orange/articles/anna-easter-brown-historic-marker-unveiled-at-wes "Anna Easter Brown Historic Marker Unveiled at West Orange Library"], West Orange Patch, February 7, 2016. Accessed November 21, 2017. "The marker highlights the accomplishments of Anna Easter Brown, an African-American woman born and raised in West Orange, who graduated from West Orange High School in 1897."</ref>
* [[Brendan Byrne]] (born 1924, class of 1942), former governor of New Jersey.<ref>[http://governors.rutgers.edu/BTB-bioindex.htm Brendan T. Byrne Archive - Biography], Rutgers Program on the Governor / [[Eagleton Institute of Politics]]. Accessed January 16, 2011.</ref>
* [[Brendan Byrne]] (1924–2018, class of 1942), former governor of New Jersey<ref>[http://governors.rutgers.edu/BTB-bioindex.htm Brendan T. Byrne Archive - Biography], Rutgers Program on the Governor / [[Eagleton Institute of Politics]]. Accessed January 16, 2011.</ref>
* [[Chris Christian (soccer)|Chris Christian]] (born 1989), professional [[association football|soccer]] player who currently plays as a [[Defender (association football)|defender]] for [[Oakland Roots SC]] in the [[National Independent Soccer Association]].<ref>[https://villanova.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2544 Chris Christian], [[Vanderbilt Commodores men's soccer]]. Accessed September 24, 2019. "Hometown: West Orange, N.J. High School: West Orange"</ref>
* [[Chris Christian (soccer)|Chris Christian]] (born 1989), professional [[association football|soccer]] player who currently plays as a [[Defender (association football)|defender]] for [[Oakland Roots SC]] in the [[National Independent Soccer Association]]<ref>[https://villanova.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2544 Chris Christian], [[Vanderbilt Commodores men's soccer]]. Accessed September 24, 2019. "Hometown: West Orange, N.J. High School: West Orange"</ref>
* [[Charles Cullen]] (born 1960, class of 1978), nurse and convicted [[serial killer]], who murdered multiple hospital patients, at least 29 of which have been confirmed<ref>McDermott, Joe. [https://www.mcall.com/news/all-cullen1216-story.html "Murder Charge for Nurse; He Admits Killing 30-40"], ''[[The Morning Call]]'', December 16, 2003. Accessed January 30, 2023. "Cullen, a divorced father of two, graduated from West Orange High School in 1978 and served in the Navy for six years before attending Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing in Montclair, N.J."</ref>
* [[Charles Cullen]] (born 1960, class of 1978), nurse and convicted [[serial killer]], who murdered multiple hospital patients, at least 29 of which have been confirmed<ref>McDermott, Joe. [https://www.mcall.com/news/all-cullen1216-story.html "Murder Charge for Nurse; He Admits Killing 30-40"], ''[[The Morning Call]]'', December 16, 2003. Accessed January 30, 2023. "Cullen, a divorced father of two, graduated from West Orange High School in 1978 and served in the Navy for six years before attending Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing in Montclair, N.J."</ref>
* [[Ginny Duenkel]] (born 1947), gold medalist in the 400 meter freestyle at the [[1964 Summer Olympics]] in [[Tokyo]].<ref>via [[Associated Press]]. [https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1962/08/18/90177507.pdf "World Mark Set By Rose In Swim; Australian Does 400-Meter Free-Style in 4:13.4"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', August 18, 1962, pg. 16. Accessed June 13, 2016. "The unheralded 15-year-old Miss Duenkel cracked the listed world record in the 200-meter back-stroke in 2:32.1. The 125-pound sophomore from West Orange High School beat Miss de Varona in a tense duel in the last fifty meters."</ref>
* [[Ginny Duenkel]] (born 1947), gold medalist in the 400 meter freestyle at the [[1964 Summer Olympics]] in [[Tokyo]]<ref>via [[Associated Press]]. [https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1962/08/18/90177507.pdf "World Mark Set By Rose In Swim; Australian Does 400-Meter Free-Style in 4:13.4"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', August 18, 1962, pg. 16. Accessed June 13, 2016. "The unheralded 15-year-old Miss Duenkel cracked the listed world record in the 200-meter back-stroke in 2:32.1. The 125-pound sophomore from West Orange High School beat Miss de Varona in a tense duel in the last fifty meters."</ref>
* [[Chris Gethard]] (born 1980), actor and comedian.<ref>Staff. [http://nycxml.twcnews.com/content/shows/one_on_1_archives/208524/one-on-1-profile--comedian-chris-gethard-offers-a-unique-approach-to-the-entertainment-industry-with-his-public-access-following/?ap=1 "One On 1 Profile: Comedian Chris Gethard Offers a Unique Approach to the Entertainment Industry With His Public Access Following"], [[NY1]], May 12, 2014. Accessed August 22, 2016. "It's not every comedian who can say they played Giants Stadium. Chris Gethard did with the 1996 West Orange, N.J. High School Marching Mountaineers."</ref>
* [[Chris Gethard]] (born 1980), actor and comedian<ref>Staff. [http://nycxml.twcnews.com/content/shows/one_on_1_archives/208524/one-on-1-profile--comedian-chris-gethard-offers-a-unique-approach-to-the-entertainment-industry-with-his-public-access-following/?ap=1 "One On 1 Profile: Comedian Chris Gethard Offers a Unique Approach to the Entertainment Industry With His Public Access Following"], [[NY1]], May 12, 2014. Accessed August 22, 2016. "It's not every comedian who can say they played Giants Stadium. Chris Gethard did with the 1996 West Orange, N.J. High School Marching Mountaineers."</ref>
* [[Martin Glenn]] (born 1946, class of 1964), jurist who serves as the [[Chief judge (United States)|chief judge]] of the [[United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York]]<ref>Clary, William Webb. [https://books.google.com/books?id=XtU6AQAAIAAJ&q=%22Marty+was+born+in+1946%22 ''History of the Law Firm of O'Melveny & Myers: History of the law firm of O'Melveny & Myers LLP, 1965-1990 and beyond''], p. 1265. O'Melveny & Myers, 2001. Accessed February 14, 2024. "Marty was born in 1946 in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Rockaway Park, New York, and West Orange, New Jersey, graduating from West Orange High School in June 1964."</ref>
⚫
* [[Mark Kelly]] (born 1964), astronaut and identical twin of Scott Kelly. Elected as United States Senator from Arizona, November 2020.<ref>[http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/kellyme.html Mark E. Kelly Biographical Data], [[NASA]]. Accessed March 25, 2007.</ref>
* [[Benedict Gross]] (born 1950), mathematics professor<ref>Kirby, Rob. [https://celebratio.org/Gross_BH/article/1096/ "Benedict H. Gross: Becoming a mathematician"], [[Celebratio Mathematica]], 2023. Accessed December 4, 2024. "Even so, by his tenth grade year, Dick had exhausted the offerings at West Orange High School so he transferred to the Pingry School, a private school about ten miles from home."</ref>
⚫
* [[Scott Kelly (astronaut)|Scott Kelly]] (born 1964), astronaut and identical twin of Mark Kelly.<ref>[http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/kellysj.html Scott J. Kelly Biographical Data], [[NASA]]. Accessed March 25, 2007.</ref>
* [[Robert Hebble]] (1934–2020), composer, arranger and organist<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ridgewood-news-robert-hebble-of-west/130627216/ "Hebble at West Side"], ''The Ridgewood News'', February 16, 1978. Accessed August 25, 2023, via [[Newspapers.com]]. "A West Orange resident, Robert Hebble's career also includes reviewing choral music for Music magazine, arranging for the Uniroyal, glee club, coaching actors preparing for Broadway roles and teaching at Stevens.... Hebble graduated from West Orange High School and entered Yale, where he earned his bachelor of music degree. While still holding down the job as Fox's assistant, be got a master's degree at Juilliard."</ref>
⚫
* General [[Paul J. Kern]] (born 1945), commanding general of the [[United States Army Materiel Command]] from 2001–2004.<ref>[http://www.amc.army.mil/amc/pa/releases04/kern.html "Major Army Command Says Farewell to Four-Star Commander"], [[United States Army Materiel Command]] press release. Accessed November 19, 2007. "Kern was raised in West Orange, NJ and graduated from West Orange High School."</ref>
⚫
* [[Mark Kelly]] (born 1964), astronaut and identical twin of Scott Kelly. Elected as United States Senator from Arizona, November 2020<ref>[http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/kellyme.html Mark E. Kelly Biographical Data], [[NASA]]. Accessed March 25, 2007.</ref>
⚫
* [[Joshua D. Maurer]] (born 1964), film producer, writer and actor whose credits include ''[[Georgia O'Keeffe (2009 film)|Georgia O'Keeffe]],'' ''[[The Hoax]],'' ''[[The Last Tycoon (TV series)|The Last Tycoon]],'' ''[[Rosemary's Baby (TV series)|Rosemary's Baby]],'' ''[[Jodi Arias: Dirty Little Secret]]'' and ''[[Introducing Dorothy Dandridge]]''.<ref>[http://hum90.com/joshua_maurer.htm Joshua Maurer], Tour of Duty Pages. Accessed November 30, 2016. "Born in New Jersey , he attended West Orange High School and Sarah Lawrence College, where he obtained a B.A. degree in political science and appeared in many student stage productions."</ref>
⚫
* [[Scott Kelly (astronaut)|Scott Kelly]] (born 1964), astronaut and identical twin of Mark Kelly<ref>[http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/kellysj.html Scott J. Kelly Biographical Data], [[NASA]]. Accessed March 25, 2007.</ref>
⚫
* [[John F. McKeon]] (born 1958), politician who has served in the [[New Jersey General Assembly]] since 2002, where he represents the [[New Jersey's 27th legislative district|27th Legislative District]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=zJrtBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA280 ''Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey: 2004 Edition''], p. 280. Lawyers Diary and Manual, LLC., 2004. {{ISBN|9781577411871}}. Accessed September 24, 2019. "John F. Mckeon, Dem., West Orange... He was raised in Orange and West Orange and graduated from West Orange Mountain High School."</ref>
⚫
* General [[Paul J. Kern]] (born 1945), commanding general of the [[United States Army Materiel Command]] from 2001–2004<ref>[http://www.amc.army.mil/amc/pa/releases04/kern.html "Major Army Command Says Farewell to Four-Star Commander"], [[United States Army Materiel Command]] press release. Accessed November 19, 2007. "Kern was raised in West Orange, NJ and graduated from West Orange High School."</ref>
⚫
* [[Gordon Allen Newkirk Jr.]] (1928–1985), astrophysicist.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/221249131/ "Jersey Students Essay Finalists"], ''[[Courier News]]'', January 24, 1946. Accessed June 28, 2018. "They were: Robert C. West Jr., Caldwell, 17-year-old student af State Teachers College high school, Upper Montclair; Walter George Gall, Garfield, 16-year-old student at Garfield High School, and Gordon Allen Newkirk Jr., West Orange, 17-year-old student at West Orange High School."</ref>
⚫
* [[Joshua D. Maurer]] (born 1964), film producer, writer and actor whose credits include ''[[Georgia O'Keeffe (2009 film)|Georgia O'Keeffe]],'' ''[[The Hoax]],'' ''[[The Last Tycoon (TV series)|The Last Tycoon]],'' ''[[Rosemary's Baby (TV series)|Rosemary's Baby]],'' ''[[Jodi Arias: Dirty Little Secret]]'' and ''[[Introducing Dorothy Dandridge]]''<ref>[http://hum90.com/joshua_maurer.htm Joshua Maurer], Tour of Duty Pages. Accessed November 30, 2016. "Born in New Jersey , he attended West Orange High School and Sarah Lawrence College, where he obtained a B.A. degree in political science and appeared in many student stage productions."</ref>
⚫
* [[Rebecca Odes]] (born 1969), media entrepreneur, author and musician, who was the bassist and vocalist for the band [[Love Child (band)|Love Child]] and co-founded the website [[Gurl.com]].<ref>[http://www.digifind-it.com/westorange/DATA/yearbooks/west-o-ranger/1984.pdf ''The Last Roundup '84''], West Orange High School, 1984. Accessed December 4, 2021.</ref>
⚫
* [[John F. McKeon]] (born 1958), politician who has served in the [[New Jersey General Assembly]] since 2002, where he represents the [[New Jersey's 27th legislative district|27th Legislative District]]<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=zJrtBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA280 ''Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey: 2004 Edition''], p. 280. Lawyers Diary and Manual, LLC., 2004. {{ISBN|9781577411871}}. Accessed September 24, 2019. "John F. Mckeon, Dem., West Orange... He was raised in Orange and West Orange and graduated from West Orange Mountain High School."</ref>
⚫
* [[Okieriete Onaodowan]] (born 1987, class of 2005), actor who originated the roles of [[Hercules Mulligan]] and [[James Madison]] in the 2015 Broadway musical ''[[Hamilton (musical)|Hamilton]].<ref>Herzog, Laura. [http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2016/05/hamilton_star_okieriete_onaodowan_visits_west_oran.html "Broadway baby: 'Hamilton' star returns to N.J. alma mater"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], May 2, 2016. Accessed June 13, 2016. "Onaodowan grew up in West Orange with his parents and five sisters, and attended Gregory Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School, and West Orange High School, graduating in 2005, school officials said."</ref>
⚫
* [[Gordon Allen Newkirk Jr.]] (1928–1985), astrophysicist<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/221249131/ "Jersey Students Essay Finalists"], ''[[Courier News]]'', January 24, 1946. Accessed June 28, 2018. "They were: Robert C. West Jr., Caldwell, 17-year-old student af State Teachers College high school, Upper Montclair; Walter George Gall, Garfield, 16-year-old student at Garfield High School, and Gordon Allen Newkirk Jr., West Orange, 17-year-old student at West Orange High School."</ref>
⚫
* [[Michael Oren]] (born 1955), served as [[Israeli Ambassador to the United States]].<ref>Ginsberg, Johanna. [http://www.njjewishnews.com/njjn.com/050709/njFormerNewJerseyan.html "Former New Jerseyan to be Israel's envoy to U.S.; Author Michael Oren was Mountain High and Princeton grad"], ''[[New Jersey Jewish News]]'', May 7, 2009. Accessed July 30, 2013. "He graduated from West Orange Mountain High School and earned an undergraduate degree from Columbia University before making aliya in 1979."</ref>
⚫
* [[Rebecca Odes]] (born 1969), media entrepreneur, author and musician, who was the bassist and vocalist for the band [[Love Child (band)|Love Child]] and co-founded the website [[Gurl.com]]<ref>[http://www.digifind-it.com/westorange/DATA/yearbooks/west-o-ranger/1984.pdf ''The Last Roundup '84''], West Orange High School, 1984. Accessed December 4, 2021.</ref>
⚫
* [[Vinnie Politan]] (born {{circa|1965}}, class of 1983), anchor, talk show host for [[Court TV]] and radio host for [[Sirius Satellite Radio]].<ref>[http://blog.courttv.com/informer/2006/11/q_and_a_with_vi.html Q and A with Vinnie Politan], November 20, 2006, accessed April 12, 2007. "It'll be tough to deal with him, even if I was the two-time captain of the West Orange Cowboys' Group 2 Section 2 state championship basketball team."</ref>
⚫
* [[Okieriete Onaodowan]] (born 1987, class of 2005), actor who originated the roles of [[Hercules Mulligan]] and [[James Madison]] in the 2015 Broadway musical ''[[Hamilton (musical)|Hamilton]]<ref>Herzog, Laura. [http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2016/05/hamilton_star_okieriete_onaodowan_visits_west_oran.html "Broadway baby: 'Hamilton' star returns to N.J. alma mater"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], May 2, 2016. Accessed June 13, 2016. "Onaodowan grew up in West Orange with his parents and five sisters, and attended Gregory Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School, and West Orange High School, graduating in 2005, school officials said."</ref>
⚫
* [[Michael Oren]] (born 1955), served as [[Israeli Ambassador to the United States]]<ref>Ginsberg, Johanna. [http://www.njjewishnews.com/njjn.com/050709/njFormerNewJerseyan.html "Former New Jerseyan to be Israel's envoy to U.S.; Author Michael Oren was Mountain High and Princeton grad"], ''[[New Jersey Jewish News]]'', May 7, 2009. Accessed July 30, 2013. "He graduated from West Orange Mountain High School and earned an undergraduate degree from Columbia University before making aliya in 1979."</ref>
⚫
* [[Vinnie Politan]] (born 1965, class of 1983), anchor, talk show host for [[Court TV]] and radio host for [[Sirius Satellite Radio]]<ref>[http://blog.courttv.com/informer/2006/11/q_and_a_with_vi.html Q and A with Vinnie Politan], November 20, 2006, accessed April 12, 2007. "It'll be tough to deal with him, even if I was the two-time captain of the West Orange Cowboys' Group 2 Section 2 state championship basketball team."</ref>
* [[Marge Roukema]] (1929–2014, class of 1947), politician who represented [[New Jersey]] in the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] from 1981 to 2003<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montclair-times-profile-of-marge-rou/149125192/ "Roukema, Doby To Receive Honorary Degrees From MSC"], ''The Montclair Times'', April 30, 1987. Accessed June 11, 2024, via [[Newspapers.com]]. "A former high school teacher of American history and government, she was born Marge Scafati and is a lifelong New Jersey resident, graduating from West Orange High School before attending Montclair State."</ref>
* [[Johnny Sansone]] (born 1957), [[electric blues]] singer, songwriter, harmonicist, accordionist, guitarist and piano player<ref>Hicks, Robert. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114623087/johnny-sansone-of-west-orange/ "Odyssey to New Orleans; Johnny Sansone started in New Jersey but wound up in the Big Easy"], ''[[Daily Record (New Jersey)|Daily Record]]'', August 19, 2001. Accessed December 14, 2022, via [[Newspapers.com]]. "Sansone, started guitar around the same time and began performing on harp and guitar in local blues bands in West Orange, where he later became a star swimmer at West Orange High School."</ref>
* [[Johnny Sansone]] (born 1957), [[electric blues]] singer, songwriter, harmonicist, accordionist, guitarist and piano player<ref>Hicks, Robert. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114623087/johnny-sansone-of-west-orange/ "Odyssey to New Orleans; Johnny Sansone started in New Jersey but wound up in the Big Easy"], ''[[Daily Record (New Jersey)|Daily Record]]'', August 19, 2001. Accessed December 14, 2022, via [[Newspapers.com]]. "Sansone, started guitar around the same time and began performing on harp and guitar in local blues bands in West Orange, where he later became a star swimmer at West Orange High School."</ref>
* [[Elizabeth Shin]] (1980–2000), [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]] student who died from burns inflicted by a fire in her dormitory room. Her death resulted in the upgrading of MIT's counseling services.<ref>Sontag, Deborah. [https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/28/magazine/who-was-responsible-for-elizabeth-shin.html "Who Was Responsible For Elizabeth Shin?"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', April 28, 2002. Accessed September 24, 2012. "It is a reference to Elizabeth's admission to psychiatrists that she cut her wrists very superficially after she was bumped from valedictorian to salutatorian of West Orange High School."</ref>
* [[Elizabeth Shin]] (1980–2000), [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]] student who died from burns inflicted by a fire in her dormitory room. Her death resulted in the upgrading of MIT's counseling services<ref>Sontag, Deborah. [https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/28/magazine/who-was-responsible-for-elizabeth-shin.html "Who Was Responsible For Elizabeth Shin?"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', April 28, 2002. Accessed September 24, 2012. "It is a reference to Elizabeth's admission to psychiatrists that she cut her wrists very superficially after she was bumped from valedictorian to salutatorian of West Orange High School."</ref>
* [[Andy Stern]] (born 1950, class of 1968), former President of the [[Service Employees International Union]].<ref>[http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/interviewees/30-interview-html-text/719-bildner-allen-i-part-1 Bildner, Allen I. (Part 1)], [[Rutgers University]] Oral History Archives. Accessed June 7, 2016. "The service employee unions are those that have janitors, hotel employees, hospital employees. Andy Stern was in my son's class at West Orange High School, the son of an affluent family."</ref><ref>[http://www.digifind-it.com/westorange/DATA/yearbooks/west-o-ranger/1968.pdf ''West-O-Ranger, 1968''], West Orange High School. Accessed September 24, 2019.</ref>
* [[Andy Stern]] (born 1950, class of 1968), former President of the [[Service Employees International Union]]<ref>[http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/interviewees/30-interview-html-text/719-bildner-allen-i-part-1 Bildner, Allen I. (Part 1)], [[Rutgers University]] Oral History Archives. Accessed June 7, 2016. "The service employee unions are those that have janitors, hotel employees, hospital employees. Andy Stern was in my son's class at West Orange High School, the son of an affluent family."</ref><ref>[http://www.digifind-it.com/westorange/DATA/yearbooks/west-o-ranger/1968.pdf ''West-O-Ranger, 1968''], West Orange High School. Accessed September 24, 2019.</ref>
* [[Stephen Vittoria]] (born 1957), filmmaker and author, who ran for the district's board of education while a student in 1973.<ref>Staff. [https://www.nytimes.com/1973/02/08/archives/new-jersey-briefs-vote-delay-asked-so-boy-16-can-run-3-held-in.html "New Jersey Briefs"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', February 8, 1973. Accessed March 27, 2018. "The New Jersey chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union announced yesterday that it would ask the United States Supreme Court to stay an election of the West Orange Board of Education until the name of a 16‐year‐old high school sophomore was included on the ballot.The A.C.L.U. said it was asking the Court to stay the election, scheduled for next Tuesday, until Stephen Vittoria was allowed to run for a place on the board."</ref>
* [[Stephen Vittoria]] (born 1957), filmmaker and author, who ran for the district's board of education while a student in 1973<ref>Staff. [https://www.nytimes.com/1973/02/08/archives/new-jersey-briefs-vote-delay-asked-so-boy-16-can-run-3-held-in.html "New Jersey Briefs"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', February 8, 1973. Accessed March 27, 2018. "The New Jersey chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union announced yesterday that it would ask the United States Supreme Court to stay an election of the West Orange Board of Education until the name of a 16‐year‐old high school sophomore was included on the ballot.The A.C.L.U. said it was asking the Court to stay the election, scheduled for next Tuesday, until Stephen Vittoria was allowed to run for a place on the board."</ref>
* [[Kenneth T. Wilson]] (born 1936), politician who served in the [[New Jersey General Assembly]] from 1968 to 1972.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=YxZMAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22In 1941, his family moved to West Orange.%22 ''Fizgerald's Legislative Manual, State of New Jersey, Volume 194, Part 2; Volume 195, Parts 1-2''], p. 394. J. A. Fitzegerald, 1971. Accessed November 6, 2017. "Kenneth T. Wilson (Rep., West Orange) Assemblyman Wilson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth H. Wilson, was born in Newark, on March 20, 1936, the eldest of two sons. He attended the West Orange public schools and graduated in 1954 from West Orange High School."</ref>
* [[Kenneth T. Wilson]] (born 1936), politician who served in the [[New Jersey General Assembly]] from 1968 to 1972<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=YxZMAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22In 1941, his family moved to West Orange.%22 ''Fizgerald's Legislative Manual, State of New Jersey, Volume 194, Part 2; Volume 195, Parts 1-2''], p. 394. J. A. Fitzegerald, 1971. Accessed November 6, 2017. "Kenneth T. Wilson (Rep., West Orange) Assemblyman Wilson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth H. Wilson, was born in Newark, on March 20, 1936, the eldest of two sons. He attended the West Orange public schools and graduated in 1954 from West Orange High School."</ref>
* [[Scott Wolf]] (born 1968, class of 1986), actor best known for playing the role of Bailey Salinger on ''[[Party of Five]]''.<ref>[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ND&s_site=belleville&p_multi=ND&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FCD23BE1375457D&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "Engagements-Weddings-Anniversaries"], ''[[Belleville News-Democrat]]'', August 3, 2003. Accessed April 5, 2011. "Wolf is a 1986 graduate of West Orange High School in West Orange, NJ, and a 1990 graduate of George Washington University in Washington D.C."</ref>
* [[Scott Wolf]] (born 1968, class of 1986), actor best known for playing the role of Bailey Salinger on ''[[Party of Five]]''<ref>[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ND&s_site=belleville&p_multi=ND&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FCD23BE1375457D&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "Engagements-Weddings-Anniversaries"], ''[[Belleville News-Democrat]]'', August 3, 2003. Accessed April 5, 2011. "Wolf is a 1986 graduate of West Orange High School in West Orange, NJ, and a 1990 graduate of George Washington University in Washington D.C."</ref>
* [[Ian Ziering]] (born 1964, class of 1982), actor best known for appearing as Steve Sanders on ''[[Beverly Hills, 90210]]''.<ref>[http://www.accesshollywood.com/celebrity-proms-dancings-ian-ziering_article_5274 "Celebrity Proms: ''Dancing's'' Ian Ziering"], ''[[Access Hollywood]]'', May 10, 2007. Accessed April 5, 2011. "We took Ian back twenty-five years to prom 1982 at Mountain High School in West Orange, New Jersey. We found his prom date, Julie Slavitt, happily married with two little girls in Demarest, New Jersey."</ref>
* [[Ian Ziering]] (born 1964, class of 1982), actor best known for appearing as Steve Sanders on ''[[Beverly Hills, 90210]]''<ref>[http://www.accesshollywood.com/celebrity-proms-dancings-ian-ziering_article_5274 "Celebrity Proms: ''Dancing's'' Ian Ziering"], ''[[Access Hollywood]]'', May 10, 2007. Accessed April 5, 2011. "We took Ian back twenty-five years to prom 1982 at Mountain High School in West Orange, New Jersey. We found his prom date, Julie Slavitt, happily married with two little girls in Demarest, New Jersey."</ref>


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==

Latest revision as of 13:08, 23 December 2024

West Orange High School
Address
Map
51 Conforti Avenue

West Orange
,
Essex County
,
New Jersey
07052

United States
Coordinates40°48′24″N 74°15′36″W / 40.806666°N 74.259999°W / 40.806666; -74.259999
Information
TypePublic high school
Established1898
School districtWest Orange Public Schools
NCES School ID341761002468[1]
PrincipalOscar Guerrero
Faculty192.7 FTEs[1]
Grades9-12
Enrollment2,208 (as of 2023–24)[1]
Student to teacher ratio11.5:1[1]
Color(s)  Cobalt
  Navy Blue
  Light Grey[2]
Athletics conferenceSuper Essex Conference (general)
North Jersey Super Football Conference (football)
Team nameMountaineers[2]
Websitewww.woboe.org/Domain/18

West Orange High School (WOHS) is a comprehensive four-year community public high school, serving students in ninth through twelfth grades from West Orange in Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Since the closure of West Orange Mountain High School, WOHS is the only secondary school serving the West Orange Public Schools. West Orange High School has been accredited by the New Jersey Department of Education and by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools since 1928.[3]

As of the 2023–24 school year, the school had an enrollment of 2,208 students and 192.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.5:1. There were 762 students (34.5% of enrollment) eligible for free lunch and 205 (9.3% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch.[1]

Faculty and academics

[edit]

A faculty of 200 includes administration and supervisory personnel, as well as Guidance Staff, two full-time Library Media Specialists, two nurses, a Student Assistance Counselor, and a full-time Child Study Team. The majority of the professional staff members have earned master's degrees, and seven have earned doctorates.

West Orange High School has a comprehensive program with a wide variety of course offerings. Graduation requirements are based on study in grades nine through twelve. Students must satisfy the state and local requirements for graduation and take additional courses to total a minimum of 135 credits. In addition to the basic academic courses offered at multiple ability levels, there are Honors and Advanced Placement courses in most disciplines. Programs in business education, technical and industrial education, computer education, performing and fine arts, and English as a Second Language are also offered. Now, West Orange High School offers block scheduling, which uses a rotation that switches out two courses per day.

The Cooperative Education Program provides students with the opportunity to study academics as well as receive on-the-job training. Students can also choose from a wide variety of electives.

History

[edit]

The high school was built in 1898 on Gaston Street in West Orange but was burned down in 1913. It was rebuilt, and was relocated to a new building on Northfield Avenue in 1922. The old building became Gaston Street Junior High School (Fairmount Elementary School was built behind it) and was torn down in 1972. The current facility was built in 1960 as Mountain High School. In 1984, the 1922 building was sold to become Seton Hall Preparatory School, a private Catholic school. Mountain High School and the adjoined Abraham Lincoln Junior High School were converted into the existing facility. In 2004, a new building was added, doubling the size of the school. As of February 19, 2021, the athletic complex includes a football field, one soccer field, one softball field, an outdoor basketball court, one 80-yard field, five tennis courts, and a baseball field.

Awards, recognition and rankings

[edit]

In the 2011 "Ranking America's High Schools" issue by The Washington Post, the school was ranked 44th in New Jersey and 1,379th nationwide.[4]

The school was the 170th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 339 schools statewide in New Jersey Monthly magazine's September 2014 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", using a new ranking methodology.[5] The school had been ranked 136th in the state of 328 schools in 2012, after being ranked 128th in 2010 out of 322 schools listed.[6] The magazine ranked the school 114th in 2008 out of 316 schools.[7] The school was ranked 98th in the magazine's September 2006 issue, which surveyed 316 schools across the state.[8]

For the 1998–99 school year, West Orange High School was named a "Star School" by the New Jersey Department of Education, the highest honor that a New Jersey school can achieve.[9]

West Orange High School applied for, and was awarded, a Dodge Grant for the 2004–05 academic year through Montclair State University. The focus of the grant is to explore how to develop a Conflict Resolution program responsive to the needs of West Orange High School. The Dodge Grant Team spent a year researching and developing a potential Conflict Resolution Model for West Orange High School.

Athletics

[edit]

The West Orange High School Mountaineers[2] compete in the Super Essex Conference, which is comprised of public and private high schools in Essex County and was established following a reorganization of sports leagues in Northern New Jersey by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).[10] Before the NJSIAA's 2010 realignment, the school had competed in the Northern Hills Conference an athletic conference comprised of public and private high schools located in Essex, Morris and Passaic counties.[11] With 1,574 students in grades 10-12, the school was classified by the NJSIAA for the 2019–20 school year as Group IV for most athletic competition purposes, which included schools with an enrollment of 1,060 to 5,049 students in that grade range.[12] The football team competes in the Liberty White division of the North Jersey Super Football Conference, which includes 112 schools competing in 20 divisions, making it the nation's biggest football-only high school sports league.[13][14] The school was classified by the NJSIAA as Group V North for football for 2024–2026, which included schools with 1,317 to 5,409 students.[15]

The boys' basketball team won the Group III state championship in 1936 (defeating Millville Memorial High School in the tournament final) and won the Group IV title in 1949 (vs. Emerson High School).[16] The 1935 team defeated Millville by a score of 35-24 to win the Group III state finals in the title game played at Rutgers University.[17]

The ice hockey team won the Gordon Cup in 1961 (as co-champion) and won the Monsignor Kelly Cup in 2004.[18]

The boys' swimming team won the Division B state championship in 1963.[19]

The boys' baseball team won the North II Group III state championship in 1967 and won the Group III state title in 1971 (against runner-up Bridgewater-Raritan High School East in the final of the playoffs).[20]

The girls' tennis team won the Group IV state championship in 1984 (defeating Cherry Hill High School East in the final match of the tournament), 1985 (vs. Ridgewood High School) and 1986 (vs. Cherry Hill High School East); the team lost to Red Bank Catholic High School in the finals of the Tournament of Champions in both 1984 and 1985, before defeating Red Bank Catholic in 1986 to win the overall state championship.[21]

The school's marching band, the Marching Mountaineers, were three-year United States Scholastic Band Association (USSBA) Group V Open State Champs (2005, 2006, 2009), USSBA Group V Open Northern State Champs (2009), and ninth in the northeastern region as of 2007 BOA (Bands of America). In addition, their Color Guard is nationally known for their "globe-tossing" performance.[citation needed]

The boys' soccer team won the Group IV state championship in 2006 (defeating Manalapan High School in the tournament final) and 2013 (vs. Clearview Regional High School).[22] The 2006 boys' soccer team finished the season with a 24–1 record; the team was ranked 4th in the nation at the beginning of the 2006 season and finished 17th in the NSCAA/Adidas National Rankings.[23] The 2006 team won the Group IV state championship with a 4–1 win over Bridgewater-Raritan High School in the semifinals and a 3–0 win against Manalapan High School in the finals.[24] The team finished the 2013 season with a 13-7-2 record, after winning the Group IV title with a 1-0 win against Clearview Regional High School in the championship game.[25]

The school hosted a match in 2007 between a team representing the New York Athletic Club and teams from Russia and Romania. The NYAC team beat Russia 14–11 in free style and Romania 14–12 in Greco-Roman matches.[26]

The boys' wrestling team won the North I Group IV state sectional championship in 2012 and the North I Group V title in 2018.[27]

Administration

[edit]

The school's principal is Oscar Guerrero. His administration team includes four assistant principals.[28]

Notable alumni

[edit]
See also: Category:West Orange High School (New Jersey) alumni

Notable alumni of West Orange High School and West Orange Mountain High School include:

[edit]

A fifth-season episode of the HBO series The Sopranos titled "The Test Dream" shows Tony Soprano in a dream scene with his high school football coach, Mr. Molinero. The school letters "W.O.H.S." are shown on a jacket in the coach's office.[citation needed]

[edit]
  • WOHS, 1922–1983
    WOHS, 1922–1983
  • WOHS, 1984–present day
    WOHS, 1984–present day

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e School data for West Orange High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c West Orange High School, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  3. ^ West Orange High School, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools, backed up by the Internet Archive as of March 15, 2012. Accessed March 30, 2015.
  4. ^ Mathews, Jay. "The High School Challenge 2011: West Orange High School", The Washington Post. Accessed September 9, 2011.
  5. ^ Staff. "Top Schools Alphabetical List 2014", New Jersey Monthly, September 2, 2014. Accessed September 5, 2014.
  6. ^ Staff. "The Top New Jersey High Schools: Alphabetical", New Jersey Monthly, August 16, 2012. Accessed September 24, 2012.
  7. ^ Staff. "2010 Top High Schools", New Jersey Monthly, August 16, 2010. Accessed April 5, 2011.
  8. ^ "Top New Jersey High Schools 2008: By Rank", New Jersey Monthly, September 2008, posted August 7, 2008. Accessed August 19, 2008.
  9. ^ Star School Award recipient detail 1998-99 school year, West Orange High School Archived January 12, 2004, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed July 4, 2024.
  10. ^ League & Conference Officers/Affiliated Schools 2020-2021, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  11. ^ Home Page, Northern Hills Conference, backed up by the Internet Archive as of January 28, 2011. Accessed November 25, 2014.
  12. ^ NJSIAA General Public School Classifications 2019–2020, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020.
  13. ^ Cooper, Darren. "Here's what we know about the new Super Football Conference 2020 schedule", The Record, July 23, 2020. Accessed March 22, 2021. "The Super Football Conference (SFC) is a 112-team group, the largest high school football-only conference in America, and is comprised of teams from five different counties."
  14. ^ Cooper, Darren. "NJ football: Super Football Conference revised schedules for 2020 regular season", The Record, July 23, 2020. Accessed March 22, 2021. "The Super Football Conference has 112 teams that will play across 20 divisions."
  15. ^ NJSIAA Football Public School Classifications 2024–2026, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, updated September 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024.
  16. ^ NJSIAA Boys Basketball Championship History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed September 1, 2022.
  17. ^ "Millville, Merchants Lose In Tourney Finals; West Orange Has Big Second Period to Conquer 'Millers' 35 to 24", Courier-Post, March 23, 1936. Accessed February 28, 2021. "Long distance sharpshooting and big second period enabled West Orange High to tuck away the New Jersey Group 3 basketball championship at the expense of Watts Chance's Millville High quintet. After brushing past the opposition in impressive fashion in the preliminary eliminations of the N. J. S. I. A. A. tournament, the Millville five lost out in the state title round last Saturday night, at Rutgers University. The score was 35 to 24."
  18. ^ NJSIAA Ice Hockey State Championship History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020.
  19. ^ History of NJSIAA Team Swimming, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020.
  20. ^ Baseball Championship History: 1959–2024, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, updated September 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024.
  21. ^ Girls Tennis Championship History: 1971–2023, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, updated November 2023. Accessed September 1, 2024.
  22. ^ NJSIAA History of Boys Soccer, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed September 1, 2022.
  23. ^ NSCAA/Adidas National Rankings: National Final Regular Season Poll Poll, November 21, 2006. Accessed July 27, 2007.
  24. ^ 2006 Boys Soccer Tournament - Public Semis/Finals, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed September 25, 2007.
  25. ^ "Boys soccer: Faloye, West Orange complete turnaround, beat Clearview in Group 4 final", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, November 24, 2013, updated August 25, 2019. Accessed November 5, 2020. "Nine victories and 39 days later, West Orange capped off one of the most improbable state championship runs in history when Faloye's goal in the fifth minute was the game winner when West Orange defeated Clearview, 1-0, in the NJSIAA/Sports Authority Group 4 final last night at The College of New Jersey in Ewing. Faloye, scored a goal in four state playoff contests, all one-goal games, for West Orange (13-7-2), which captured its first state title since 2006."
  26. ^ Abbott, Gary. "NYAC beats Russia, 14-11 in freestyle and Romania 14-12 in Greco-Roman in dual meet in New Jersey", United States Olympic Committee, November 16, 2007. Accessed December 1, 2007.
  27. ^ NJSIAA Wrestling Team Championship History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed September 1, 2022.
  28. ^ About Us, West Orange High School. Accessed December 4, 2024.
  29. ^ Ricci, Joe. "Anna Easter Brown Historic Marker Unveiled at West Orange Library", West Orange Patch, February 7, 2016. Accessed November 21, 2017. "The marker highlights the accomplishments of Anna Easter Brown, an African-American woman born and raised in West Orange, who graduated from West Orange High School in 1897."
  30. ^ Brendan T. Byrne Archive - Biography, Rutgers Program on the Governor / Eagleton Institute of Politics. Accessed January 16, 2011.
  31. ^ Chris Christian, Vanderbilt Commodores men's soccer. Accessed September 24, 2019. "Hometown: West Orange, N.J. High School: West Orange"
  32. ^ McDermott, Joe. "Murder Charge for Nurse; He Admits Killing 30-40", The Morning Call, December 16, 2003. Accessed January 30, 2023. "Cullen, a divorced father of two, graduated from West Orange High School in 1978 and served in the Navy for six years before attending Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing in Montclair, N.J."
  33. ^ via Associated Press. "World Mark Set By Rose In Swim; Australian Does 400-Meter Free-Style in 4:13.4", The New York Times, August 18, 1962, pg. 16. Accessed June 13, 2016. "The unheralded 15-year-old Miss Duenkel cracked the listed world record in the 200-meter back-stroke in 2:32.1. The 125-pound sophomore from West Orange High School beat Miss de Varona in a tense duel in the last fifty meters."
  34. ^ Staff. "One On 1 Profile: Comedian Chris Gethard Offers a Unique Approach to the Entertainment Industry With His Public Access Following", NY1, May 12, 2014. Accessed August 22, 2016. "It's not every comedian who can say they played Giants Stadium. Chris Gethard did with the 1996 West Orange, N.J. High School Marching Mountaineers."
  35. ^ Clary, William Webb. History of the Law Firm of O'Melveny & Myers: History of the law firm of O'Melveny & Myers LLP, 1965-1990 and beyond, p. 1265. O'Melveny & Myers, 2001. Accessed February 14, 2024. "Marty was born in 1946 in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Rockaway Park, New York, and West Orange, New Jersey, graduating from West Orange High School in June 1964."
  36. ^ Kirby, Rob. "Benedict H. Gross: Becoming a mathematician", Celebratio Mathematica, 2023. Accessed December 4, 2024. "Even so, by his tenth grade year, Dick had exhausted the offerings at West Orange High School so he transferred to the Pingry School, a private school about ten miles from home."
  37. ^ "Hebble at West Side", The Ridgewood News, February 16, 1978. Accessed August 25, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "A West Orange resident, Robert Hebble's career also includes reviewing choral music for Music magazine, arranging for the Uniroyal, glee club, coaching actors preparing for Broadway roles and teaching at Stevens.... Hebble graduated from West Orange High School and entered Yale, where he earned his bachelor of music degree. While still holding down the job as Fox's assistant, be got a master's degree at Juilliard."
  38. ^ Mark E. Kelly Biographical Data, NASA. Accessed March 25, 2007.
  39. ^ Scott J. Kelly Biographical Data, NASA. Accessed March 25, 2007.
  40. ^ "Major Army Command Says Farewell to Four-Star Commander", United States Army Materiel Command press release. Accessed November 19, 2007. "Kern was raised in West Orange, NJ and graduated from West Orange High School."
  41. ^ Joshua Maurer, Tour of Duty Pages. Accessed November 30, 2016. "Born in New Jersey , he attended West Orange High School and Sarah Lawrence College, where he obtained a B.A. degree in political science and appeared in many student stage productions."
  42. ^ Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey: 2004 Edition, p. 280. Lawyers Diary and Manual, LLC., 2004. ISBN 9781577411871. Accessed September 24, 2019. "John F. Mckeon, Dem., West Orange... He was raised in Orange and West Orange and graduated from West Orange Mountain High School."
  43. ^ "Jersey Students Essay Finalists", Courier News, January 24, 1946. Accessed June 28, 2018. "They were: Robert C. West Jr., Caldwell, 17-year-old student af State Teachers College high school, Upper Montclair; Walter George Gall, Garfield, 16-year-old student at Garfield High School, and Gordon Allen Newkirk Jr., West Orange, 17-year-old student at West Orange High School."
  44. ^ The Last Roundup '84, West Orange High School, 1984. Accessed December 4, 2021.
  45. ^ Herzog, Laura. "Broadway baby: 'Hamilton' star returns to N.J. alma mater", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 2, 2016. Accessed June 13, 2016. "Onaodowan grew up in West Orange with his parents and five sisters, and attended Gregory Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School, and West Orange High School, graduating in 2005, school officials said."
  46. ^ Ginsberg, Johanna. "Former New Jerseyan to be Israel's envoy to U.S.; Author Michael Oren was Mountain High and Princeton grad", New Jersey Jewish News, May 7, 2009. Accessed July 30, 2013. "He graduated from West Orange Mountain High School and earned an undergraduate degree from Columbia University before making aliya in 1979."
  47. ^ Q and A with Vinnie Politan, November 20, 2006, accessed April 12, 2007. "It'll be tough to deal with him, even if I was the two-time captain of the West Orange Cowboys' Group 2 Section 2 state championship basketball team."
  48. ^ "Roukema, Doby To Receive Honorary Degrees From MSC", The Montclair Times, April 30, 1987. Accessed June 11, 2024, via Newspapers.com. "A former high school teacher of American history and government, she was born Marge Scafati and is a lifelong New Jersey resident, graduating from West Orange High School before attending Montclair State."
  49. ^ Hicks, Robert. "Odyssey to New Orleans; Johnny Sansone started in New Jersey but wound up in the Big Easy", Daily Record, August 19, 2001. Accessed December 14, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "Sansone, started guitar around the same time and began performing on harp and guitar in local blues bands in West Orange, where he later became a star swimmer at West Orange High School."
  50. ^ Sontag, Deborah. "Who Was Responsible For Elizabeth Shin?", The New York Times, April 28, 2002. Accessed September 24, 2012. "It is a reference to Elizabeth's admission to psychiatrists that she cut her wrists very superficially after she was bumped from valedictorian to salutatorian of West Orange High School."
  51. ^ Bildner, Allen I. (Part 1), Rutgers University Oral History Archives. Accessed June 7, 2016. "The service employee unions are those that have janitors, hotel employees, hospital employees. Andy Stern was in my son's class at West Orange High School, the son of an affluent family."
  52. ^ West-O-Ranger, 1968, West Orange High School. Accessed September 24, 2019.
  53. ^ Staff. "New Jersey Briefs", The New York Times, February 8, 1973. Accessed March 27, 2018. "The New Jersey chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union announced yesterday that it would ask the United States Supreme Court to stay an election of the West Orange Board of Education until the name of a 16‐year‐old high school sophomore was included on the ballot.The A.C.L.U. said it was asking the Court to stay the election, scheduled for next Tuesday, until Stephen Vittoria was allowed to run for a place on the board."
  54. ^ 1941, his family moved to West Orange.%22 Fizgerald's Legislative Manual, State of New Jersey, Volume 194, Part 2; Volume 195, Parts 1-2, p. 394. J. A. Fitzegerald, 1971. Accessed November 6, 2017. "Kenneth T. Wilson (Rep., West Orange) Assemblyman Wilson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth H. Wilson, was born in Newark, on March 20, 1936, the eldest of two sons. He attended the West Orange public schools and graduated in 1954 from West Orange High School."
  55. ^ "Engagements-Weddings-Anniversaries", Belleville News-Democrat, August 3, 2003. Accessed April 5, 2011. "Wolf is a 1986 graduate of West Orange High School in West Orange, NJ, and a 1990 graduate of George Washington University in Washington D.C."
  56. ^ "Celebrity Proms: Dancing's Ian Ziering", Access Hollywood, May 10, 2007. Accessed April 5, 2011. "We took Ian back twenty-five years to prom 1982 at Mountain High School in West Orange, New Jersey. We found his prom date, Julie Slavitt, happily married with two little girls in Demarest, New Jersey."
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