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Coordinates: 61°35′19″N 149°25′43″W / 61.58861°N 149.42861°W / 61.58861; -149.42861
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A [[Johns Hopkins University]] study named Wasilla High School as a "dropout factory". Wasilla's [[dropping out|dropout]] rate was 6.5 percent in 2006, a number that was much higher than most of the schools in the Mat-Su district.<ref>{{cite news |first=Lori |last=Tipton |title=Study gives Wasilla High School failing grade |url=http://www.ktuu.com/global/story.asp?s=7289165 |work=[[KTUU]] |date=2007-10-30 |accessdate=2008-08-30 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5cJoHizfm |archivedate=2008-11-14 }}</ref> The study was conducted by finding the difference between a class with 400 [[freshman]] students which ended up with 260 [[twelfth grade|seniors]] four years later. However, the Johns Hopkins study did not follow specific students. If a student started school at Wasilla High and then graduated from another high school, the study would consider him or her a dropout.<ref name="dropout">{{cite news |first=John R. |last=Moses |title=WHS not 'dropout factory' |url=http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2007/11/05/local_news/doc472d5a3b47644091826538.txt |work=[[Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman]] |date=2007-10-03 |accessdate=2008-08-31 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5cJoKTAlT |archivedate=2008-11-14 }}</ref> [[Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District]] has an open enrollment policy and it is fairly common for students to transfer from one school to another when their parents found new jobs in other areas.<ref name="dropout"/> The School Board President Sarah Welton said that the study was flawed and that the false impression made on others in the country would be very unfortunate.<ref name="dropout"/> Only 58% of incoming freshman graduate as seniors.<ref name="JH">{{cite news |title=Dropout Factories: Take a Closer Look at failing Schools Across the Country |curly=y |url=http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interactives/wdc/dropout/index.html?SITE=AP |work=[[Associated Press]] |accessdate=14 November 2008 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080131235801/http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interactives/wdc/dropout/index.html?SITE=AP |archivedate=2008-01-31 }}</ref>
A [[Johns Hopkins University]] study named Wasilla High School as a "dropout factory". Wasilla's [[dropping out|dropout]] rate was 6.5 percent in 2006, a number that was much higher than most of the schools in the Mat-Su district.<ref>{{cite news |first=Lori |last=Tipton |title=Study gives Wasilla High School failing grade |url=http://www.ktuu.com/global/story.asp?s=7289165 |work=[[KTUU]] |date=2007-10-30 |accessdate=2008-08-30 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5cJoHizfm |archivedate=2008-11-14 }}</ref> The study was conducted by finding the difference between a class with 400 [[freshman]] students which ended up with 260 [[twelfth grade|seniors]] four years later. However, the Johns Hopkins study did not follow specific students. If a student started school at Wasilla High and then graduated from another high school, the study would consider him or her a dropout.<ref name="dropout">{{cite news |first=John R. |last=Moses |title=WHS not 'dropout factory' |url=http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2007/11/05/local_news/doc472d5a3b47644091826538.txt |work=[[Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman]] |date=2007-10-03 |accessdate=2008-08-31 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5cJoKTAlT |archivedate=2008-11-14 }}</ref> [[Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District]] has an open enrollment policy and it is fairly common for students to transfer from one school to another when their parents found new jobs in other areas.<ref name="dropout"/> The School Board President Sarah Welton said that the study was flawed and that the false impression made on others in the country would be very unfortunate.<ref name="dropout"/> Only 58% of incoming freshman graduate as seniors.<ref name="JH">{{cite news |title=Dropout Factories: Take a Closer Look at failing Schools Across the Country |curly=y |url=http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interactives/wdc/dropout/index.html?SITE=AP |work=[[Associated Press]] |accessdate=14 November 2008 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080131235801/http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interactives/wdc/dropout/index.html?SITE=AP |archivedate=2008-01-31 }}</ref>


In March 2000, the students of Wasilla High School took a qualifying exam for [[graduation]]. The subjects tested were [[math]], [[writing]], and [[Reading (process)|reading]]. In math, 42 percent of Wasilla's students received a passing score, placing their school in third place in their district. In writing, fifty percent of Wasilla's students received a qualifying score, placing them in fifth place. In reading, seventy-nine percent of Wasilla's students received a passing score, placing their school in fifth place in their district.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adn.com/adn/exams/mshs.html |title=Mat-Su school results on High School Graduation Qualifying Examinations |accessdate=2008-08-30 |work=[[Anchorage Daily News]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5cJovh0Yu |archivedate=2008-11-14 }}</ref>
In spring of 2009, the students of Wasilla High School took a qualifying exam for [[graduation]]. The subjects tested were [[math]], [[writing]], and [[Reading (process) | reading]]. In math, 87 percent of Wasilla's students received a proficient score.<ref name = whs_hsgqe_0809>{{cite web
|title = Wasilla High School: School Report Card for 2008-2009 School Year
|publisher = Alaska Department of Education & Early Development
|date = 2009
|url = http://www.matsuk12.us/173310829134941600/lib/173310829134941600/NCLB/FY10/2008-2009%20MSBSD%20School%20Report%20Cards/School%20Report%20Card%20Wasilla%20High%20School%202008-9.pdf
|accessdate = 24 April 2011}}</ref>
Statewide, 80.2 percent of tenth graders received a proficient score.<ref name = ak_hsgqe_0809>{{cite web
|title = 2008-2009 Report Cart to the Public
|publisher = State of Alaska Department of Education & Early Development
|date = 2009
|url = http://www.eed.state.ak.us/reportcard/2008-2009/reportcard2008-09.pdf
|accessdate = 24 April 2011}}</ref>
In writing, 78.1 percent of Wasilla's students received a proficient score.<ref name = whs_hsgqe_0809/> Statewide, 78.8 percent of tenth graders received a proficient score.<ref name = ak_hsgqe_0809/>
In reading, 94.1 percent of Wasilla's students received a proficient score.<ref name = whs_hsgqe_0809/>
Statewide, 90.0 percent of tenth graders received a proficient score.<ref name = ak_hsgqe_0809/>
As of the 2008-2009 school year, Wasilla's graduation rate is 77.8 percent<ref name = whs_hsgqe_0809/>, higher than the statewide graduation rate of 67.6 percent.<ref name = ak_hsgqe_0809/>


In September 2008, Wasilla High had 1300 students.<ref name="Van"/>
In September 2008, Wasilla High had 1300 students.<ref name="Van"/>

Revision as of 21:18, 24 April 2011

Wasilla High School
Address
Map
701 E. Bogard Rd.

Wasilla
,
Alaska
99654

United States
Information
School typePublic secondary school
MottoTo Strive, To Seek, To Find and Not To Yield!
School districtMatanuska-Susitna Borough School District
PrincipalDwight Probasco
Faculty71 (2005)[1]
Grades9–12
Enrollment1300 (September 2008)[2]
Student to teacher ratio18:1 (2005)[1]
Campus typeSuburban
Color(s)Red and White[3]    
MascotWarrior
Information(907) 376-5341
Websitehttp://www.whs.matsuk12.us/

Wasilla High School (WHS) is a public secondary school in Wasilla, Alaska, United States, serving students in grades 9–12. The school became nationally known following then-Governor Sarah Palin's nomination as the Republican vice-presidential running mate to John McCain in the 2008 United States presidential election.[4] The school is part of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, with admission based primarily on the locations of students' homes.

In 2000, Wasilla High School received a $5000 environmental education grant from the Environmental Protection Agency.[5] The school worked in partnership with local government agencies and businesses to raise awareness of groundwater issues in the school and the community. Then, they worked on many projects to tell their community to save the environment.[5]

On August 29, 2008, the day John McCain announced Palin as his running mate, Wasilla decided to create T-shirts honoring Palin's nomination.[4] Wasilla's principal, Dwight Probasco, declared that the shirts would read "Wasilla High School, home of Sarah Palin and the Warriors."[6]

Academics

Classes are run on a semester schedule. Students take six classes at at time. Classes are offered in: fine arts, language arts, mathematics, physical education, social studies, world language, technology, and science. As of the 2010-2011 school year, there are ten AP classes offered.[7] WHS also participates in the University of Alaska Anchorage's Tech Prep program, allowing students to receive college credit for automotive technology classes.[8]

In 2004, teacher Anthony R. Jensen became a James Madison fellow for being a distinguished history teacher.[9]

Athletics

WHS is a 4A member school of the Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA), the governing body for high school athletics in Alaska.[10] The fall sports offered at WHS are cross country running, football, cheerleading (football), powderpuff, swimming, and volleyball. The winter sports offered are basketball, hockey, Native Youth Olympics, cross country skiing, cheerleading (basketball),and wrestling. The spring sports offered are baseball, soccer, softball, and track and field.[11]

Wasilla's former head football coach Jim Shetter was chosen to attend the National Football League's Youth Summit in Canton, Ohio. In 2007, Shetter lead the school's football team to their first playoff appearance in five seasons.[12] Shetter later stepped down from his head coaching position, and the school chose Glenn Nelson as his replacement.[13]

Extracurricular activities

Extracurricular activities include: Battle of the Books, Dance squad, National Honor Society, Student Government, and Teens Against Tobacco Use.[14]

Dropout rate

A Johns Hopkins University study named Wasilla High School as a "dropout factory". Wasilla's dropout rate was 6.5 percent in 2006, a number that was much higher than most of the schools in the Mat-Su district.[15] The study was conducted by finding the difference between a class with 400 freshman students which ended up with 260 seniors four years later. However, the Johns Hopkins study did not follow specific students. If a student started school at Wasilla High and then graduated from another high school, the study would consider him or her a dropout.[16] Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District has an open enrollment policy and it is fairly common for students to transfer from one school to another when their parents found new jobs in other areas.[16] The School Board President Sarah Welton said that the study was flawed and that the false impression made on others in the country would be very unfortunate.[16] Only 58% of incoming freshman graduate as seniors.[17]

In spring of 2009, the students of Wasilla High School took a qualifying exam for graduation. The subjects tested were math, writing, and reading. In math, 87 percent of Wasilla's students received a proficient score.[18] Statewide, 80.2 percent of tenth graders received a proficient score.[19] In writing, 78.1 percent of Wasilla's students received a proficient score.[18] Statewide, 78.8 percent of tenth graders received a proficient score.[19] In reading, 94.1 percent of Wasilla's students received a proficient score.[18] Statewide, 90.0 percent of tenth graders received a proficient score.[19] As of the 2008-2009 school year, Wasilla's graduation rate is 77.8 percent[18], higher than the statewide graduation rate of 67.6 percent.[19]

In September 2008, Wasilla High had 1300 students.[2]

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ a b "Alaska Public Schools Database". National Center for Education Statistics. Archived from the original on 2008-11-14. Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  2. ^ a b Van Sack, Jessica (2008-09-02). "Alaska principal: Bristol Palin's situation will be a learning opportunity for teens". Boston Herald. Archived from the original on 2009-10-21. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  3. ^ "Wasilla High School". Alaska School Activities Association. Archived from the original on 2009-01-29. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
  4. ^ a b Rovito, Michael (2008-08-29). "McCain taps Alaska gov. Palin for VP". Today's News Herald. Archived from the original on 2008-11-14. Retrieved 2008-08-30. Cite error: The named reference "TNH" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b "EE Grants Awarded in Alaska". Environmental Protection Agency. Archived from the original on 2008-11-14. Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  6. ^ Rovito, Michael (2008-08-29). "Palin surprise pick for McCain's vice president". The Daily Dispatch. Archived from the original on 2008-11-14. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
  7. ^ "Wasilla High School: Courses Offered". Retrieved 2011-04-22.
  8. ^ "Tech Prep". University of Alaska Community & Technical College. 2010. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
  9. ^ "James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation Announces 2004 Fellows". James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation. 2004-05-12. Archived from the original on 2008-11-14. Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  10. ^ "ASAA 2010-2011 Handbook" (PDF). Alaska School Activities Association. 2010. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
  11. ^ "Wasilla High School: Athletics Directory". Retrieved 2011-04-22.
  12. ^ "Wasilla coach is selected to attend NFL youth summit". Anchorage Daily News. 2008-07-13. Archived from the original on 2008-11-14. Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  13. ^ Bartz, Jeremiah (2009-04-13). "Coach steps away after succesful stay with Wasilla football program". Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman. Archived from the original on 2011-02-17. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
  14. ^ "Wasilla High School: Activities Directory". Retrieved 2011-04-22.
  15. ^ Tipton, Lori (2007-10-30). "Study gives Wasilla High School failing grade". KTUU. Archived from the original on 2008-11-14. Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  16. ^ a b c Moses, John R. (2007-10-03). "WHS not 'dropout factory'". Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman. Archived from the original on 2008-11-14. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
  17. ^ "Dropout Factories: Take a Closer Look at failing Schools Across the Country". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2008-01-31. Retrieved 14 November 2008. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |curly= ignored (help)
  18. ^ a b c d "Wasilla High School: School Report Card for 2008-2009 School Year" (PDF). Alaska Department of Education & Early Development. 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  19. ^ a b c d "2008-2009 Report Cart to the Public" (PDF). State of Alaska Department of Education & Early Development. 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  20. ^ "National Governors Association: Alaska Governor Sarah Palin". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on 2008-11-14. Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  21. ^ Kizzia, Tom (2008-08-30). "'Maverick' McCain pulls off surprise". The Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on 2008-11-14. Retrieved 2008-08-31. She (Sarah Palin) eloped in 1988 with her high school sweetheart, Todd Palin.
  22. ^ Tankersley, Jim (2008-09-02). "Surprise pregnancy has Republicans off balance". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 2008-11-14. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
  23. ^ "Bristol Palin gives birth to a boy", Seattle Times, 30 December 2008.
  24. ^ "Bristol Palin's baby daddy is 'psyched' to be father, says his pal. New York Daily News. October 13, 2008. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
  25. ^ "Levi Johnston's Mom On Bristol Palin Pregnancy: "This Is Just A Bonus"" Huffington Post. September 2, 2008. Retrieved November 17, 2009.

61°35′19″N 149°25′43″W / 61.58861°N 149.42861°W / 61.58861; -149.42861

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