| Madison West High School[1] | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Madison, Wisconsin, USA | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public secondary |
| Established | 1930 |
| Oversight | Madison Metropolitan School District |
| Principal | Ed Holmes |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Number of students | approx. 2,300 (2006-2007) |
| Color(s) | Maize and Blue |
| Mascot | Reggie the Regent (A lion) |
| Newspaper | 'Regent Review' |
| Yearbook | Westward Ho |
| Website | http://westweb.madison.k12.wi.us/ |
Madison West High School is one of four comprehensive four-year high schools in Madison, Wisconsin. It was established in 1930. Its mascot is the "Reggie the Regent," a lion, and its school colors are maize and blue. Athletics compete in the WIAA Big Eight Conference.
West is unique among Madison schools as it serves students from 4 different municipalities, being Madison, the town of Madison, Shorewood Hills and Fitchburg.
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Madison West features Advanced Placement classes such as:
Since its inception in 2003, Madison West Rocket Club has consistently been one of the top 20 finalists in the Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC). In 2009, team 7141 of the Madison West Rocket Club placed first in the TARC national finals with a score of 20.54.[2] TARC 2009 had over 650 teams competing for the national prize. The top 20 finalists in the TARC finals are all offered an invitation to participate in a NASA sponsored program called Student Launch Initiative (SLI). SLI involves launching an experimental payload in a rocket to an altitude of one mile.[3]
Since its inception in 1985, the Madison West Science Olympiad team has placed no worse than second in the Wisconsin State Science Olympiad Tournament (Division C). The West team has also had success at the national tournament by placing in the top 10 in 3 consecutive years from 1989 to 1991 including 2nd in 1989.[4]
Since its inception in 2009, Sheepshead Club has been a popular lunchtime attraction for many students at West.[5] Largely populated by a consistent and devoted member base, Sheepshead Club's meetings are frequently punctuated by the arrival of a new member. The club meets every day, however many of the members have developed patterns of attendance based around other academic clubs at West. Each day, a detailed score sheet is kept with the tally of the day's games, leading to fierce competition. Leadership of the club is managed by the students, with co-presidents elected based on proficiency at the game of Sheepshead among other factors. Although West Sheepshead Club has thus far declined to enter any large inter-school or inter-state competitions, plans have been drawn up to form similar clubs at other local schools and compete in a city-wide sheepshead event.
Since its birth in 2010, Sports Conversation Club has been the most controversial club of all West High Clubs. The club meets every Tuesday in the Business and Marketing room immediately after fourth hour is adjourned. The club is meditated by various West High gym teachers who also offer input. Many hot sports topics are talked about for example whether collegiate athletes should be compensated and Tim Tebow.
Madison West High School's students come from various social, economic, and cultural backgrounds; however, the majority are from business and professional families. West's student population is 39% non-white, compared to 10% for Madison as a whole. Students at West come from Cherokee, Hamilton, and Wright Middle Schools, in addition to various other schools across the district.