West Ottawa High School
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| West Ottawa High School | |
| School type | Public |
|---|---|
| District | West Ottawa Public Schools |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Principal | Kent Henson |
| Students | 2459 (2005-2006) |
| Athletic Conference | Ottawa-Kent Red, Class A, Division 1 |
| Colors | Black and White |
| Mascot | Panthers |
| Location | 3685 Butternut Dr. Holland, MI |
| Information | 616-994-5000 |
| Website | Link |
West Ottawa High School is located in Ottawa County, Michigan. Along with Holland High School and Black River Public School, West Ottawa is one of three high schools in the city of Holland, Michigan. Due to the large student body at the school (about 2,500 students), a new section of the high school was constructed and completed in 2005, and the high school campus now consists of two very large buildings approximately 500 yards apart. Students often walk between buildings along heated sidewalks to get to their next classes. There are also 7 principals and 7 counselors to manage the large student body. The interim head principal of both buildings is Kent Henson.
The new high school building is state-of-the-art, with top-end technology ranging from the computers and broadcast systems to the gyms and weight rooms. It is also one of the most energy efficient high schools in the state of Michigan. The cost of the building was estimated at $28 million.
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[edit] Sports
West Ottawa offers a variety of sports and extracurricular activities. In 2005, the West Ottawa Panther football team qualified for the Michigan state playoffs and shared the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red Division Champion title. The Panther basketball team also qualified for the playoffs in that same year. For the first time ever, the Men's Varsity Tennis team placed 2nd in the State championships, losing to powerhouse Ann Arbor Pioneer.
[edit] Language
The foreign language programs at West Ottawa are considered very in-depth. Trips to foreign countries are frequent opportunities, such as a trip to Peru for students enrolled in Spanish language classes.
[edit] Academics
West Ottawa High School is known for the many courses it offers. They offer the most Advanced Placement courses of all the schools in the immediate area. Along with many AP and Honors Courses, students of the opportunity to participate in duel-enrollment programs with area colleges. Participating colleges include Hope College and Grand Valley State University.
[edit] Music
West Ottawa is also known for its many musical opportunities. The West Ottawa Marching Panthers participate in the area Christmas Parades, Tulip Time Parades, and Memorial Day Parade. They also travel to Mackinaw City, Michigan to perform in their Memorial Day Parade. The Marching Band also plays at all the home football games. West Ottawa also has a Pep-band that plays at all the home basketball games. There are, as well, the Senior High Concert and Symphony Bands as well as the Freshman 1st hour and 5th hour bands and a High School Jazz Ensemble. There is also Freshmen Orchestra and a Senior High Concert and Symphony Orchestra. Choir is also very big at West Ottawa. The Vocalares, Concert Choir, Trubadors, and Freshmen Choirs always perform very well. The Vocalaires are noted for their recent success at a festival in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. There are many groups at West Ottawa that perform in the MSBOA AA class, and West Ottawa is a 2007 Grammy Foundation Signature School.
[edit] Theatre
West Ottawa Theatre has been very successful in recent years. The fall musicals have included Anything Goes, Once Upon a Mattress, Les Miserables, The Sound of Music. In 2007, the competing MIFA show, Once Upon a Playground placed fifth in the state competition. They lost to cross-town rivals Holland High School, who received second place, and Holland Christian High School, who placed first.
