| Wilmette Junior High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Wilmette, Illinois, United States | |
| Information | |
| Established | 1962 |
| Principal | Dave Palzet |
| Assistant Principal | Kelly Jackson |
| Grades | 7th & 8th |
| Color(s) | Blue and White |
| Mascot | Wolf |
Wilmette Junior High School, abbreviated WJHS, is a school serving seventh and eighth grade students in the Wilmette, Illinois public school District 39. When the school opened in 1962 it was called Locust Junior High School, but its name was changed in 1979 upon the closing of its counterpart, Howard Junior High School, in the eastern part of town. WJHS is located directly west of Highcrest Middle School, which serves the district's fifth and sixth grade students. The two schools are separated by a large complex of recreational fields used by both schools' physical education classes and extra-curricular programs, including soccer, football, cross country, and field hockey. A bicycle path crosses the fields and connects the two schools for bicyclists and pedestrians. WJHS students are required to wear a uniform during physical education classes.
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At any given time the school has around 800 students, with a population bubble experienced by the New Trier Township High School district effecting WJHS between 2002 and 2005. This has resulted in a student population of 950 during the 2007-2008 school year. The students are separated into four teams per grade, with three main teams consisting of 5 teachers and between 75-150 students(named A, B, and C). Teachers individually specialize in the subjects of Reading, Writing, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics. All eight teams also have a faculty member functioning as a Learning Behavioral Specialist (LBS). Students are additionally required to take a Modern or Classical Language (French, Spanish, Latin, and German are offered), Related Arts (photography, drama, music, 3D art, 2D art, and economics (used to be public speaking)), and Physical Education (which includes units on health and sexual education; all other units are electives). In seventh grade, students participate in six related arts sessions, each lasting for six weeks, that allows them to sample what the school has to offer. In eighth grade students pick four sessions each lasting nine weeks. The day is organized into 9 periods: the five core subjects, lunch, physical education, Related arts, and Foreign Language.
The school has a number of student clubs, and conducts many fund raising activities such as Relay For Life. In the 2005-2006 school year, WJHS raised over $50,000 to aid Hurricane victims. During the 2008-2009 school year, students at Wilmette Junior High and the rest of district 39 raised over 41,000 dollars for Kirathon. Students also participate in food, book, pet food, and clothing drives. Students can also participate in WJHS's sports programs, which include girls' and boys' basketball, coed soccer, girls' field hockey, girls' and boys' volleyball, track and field, boys wrestling, and cross country. The eighth grade girls' basketball team went undefeated throughout their season, and in general, WJHS sports are competitive. The seventh grade A team won 13-1. WJHS also has a stellar band and orchestra program that often has many concerts throughout the year. This year the band has been offered to play at the entrance of Six Flags Great America.
Each school year, the school has a Holocaust Remembrance Day where two Holocaust survivors come and talk to the eight graders about their experience. Each year there are less and less Holocaust survivors and WJHS students are very lucky to be able to learn and hear about the Holocaust from a person who actually experienced the wrath of Hitler and the Nazis. Aaron Dubnow's grandfather, Leo Melamed, a holocaust survivor, and Mr. Walter Reed came to speak during the 2008-2009 school year.
2008-2009 classes and clubs at WJHS are participating in Kirathon, an event that benefits the art therapy program at Children's Memorial Hospital. This fundraiser was an amazing success with many schools participating and thousands of dollars raised.