I am excited to welcome everyone back for the 2025-2026 school year. I would also like to welcome our incoming Freshmen to the building. The start of the school year is always exciting and fun to see returning faces. High school is the last stop before adulthood, so our focus will always be on achievement in the classroom. Our students must be career and college-ready by their Senior year so they can choose their path to adulthood. We have accomplished some remarkable work over the past two years, and we must continue to build on our success. 

Highlights 

1. 1. WCHS Performance Index increased 3.9% from 2024 and increased 5.6% from 2023. 
   2. Algebra I scores increased 7.1% from 2024 and increased 21% from 2023.
   3. Geometry scores increased 7.7%  from 2024 and increased 12.7% from 2023. 
   4. Biology scores increased 11.4% from 2024 and increased 10.4% from 2023.
   5. US History scores increased .4% from 2024 and increased 3.7% from 2023.
   6. US History scores increased 3% higher than the state average in 2025. 
   7. US Government scores increased 7.4% from 2024.
   8. US Government scores increased 5% higher than the state average in 2025. 
   9. ELA II scores increased 3.5% from 2024 and increased 9.5% from 2023.

• The 2025 four-year graduation rate is 94.8%, the highest graduation rate since 2007.

1. School Culture:
   1. Discipline referrals: 
      1. 2022-2023: 8,323
      2. 2023-2024: 2,203 
      3. 2024-2025: 1,546
   2. Positive referrals: 
      1. 2022-2023: 487
      2. 2023-2024: 819
      3. 2024-2025: 1,688 

Sustained Effort and Sustained Focus

1. Sustained: maintained at length without interruption or weakening
2. Focus: a point of concentration
3. Effort: conscious exertion of power: hard work

I have included Webster’s definitions of our theme for the year and probably longer. Our students must understand that school is for learning, preparing, and developing their academic skills and work ethic. School is a place that requires students to work extremely hard every day in the classroom (Sustained Effort). Students will set goals and be challenged by the building goals we set for them (Sustained focus). We expect students to be at school every day, on time, and prepared to work hard to achieve their goals (Sustained focus and sustained effort). The sustained effort and sustained focus will be the core values of our school culture. 

Please understand that school is for learning, preparing, and developing each student. We will not tolerate students who come to school for any other reason. Students who come to school to fight, vape, argue, or cause distractions from teachers teaching and students learning will not be tolerated. We have achieved academically and have the highest graduation rate in 18 years because we have a school culture that focuses on teaching and learning. 

We will measure our students’ achievement level every nine weeks. This allows students to develop academic goals each quarter. The student’s sustained focus and effort will determine if their goals will be reached. The indicators parents and guardians should look for are grades, attendance, Honor Roll status, and grade point average. The grading scale and all the important information is in the student handbook. I strongly encourage all parents, guardians, and students to read the handbook. 

We will be hosting a FRESHMEN parent and student orientation on Wednesday, August 13th, at 6:00 PM in the auditorium. I will review the goals for the year and review critical information all parents and guardians need to know. I will speak from 6:00-6:25 PM, then students will have an opportunity to get their schedules after I am done speaking. Parents and students can walk through the building to find their classrooms and lockers. 

Dates and Times 

• August 14th- Seniors can pick up their schedules 
• August 15th- Sophomores and Juniors pick up their schedules 
• The first day of school is August 20th: Freshmen only
• The first day of school for Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors will be August 21st. 
• School starts at 8:00 and dismisses at 3:00 PM 

I would like to welcome our new staff members to the high school.

1. Emma Meyer: Math
2. Jessica Richburg: Math
3. William Wilson: IS for inclusion Math and Science
4. Monica Woods: Assistant Principal 
5. David Conger: Assistant Principal
6. Jordan Paschal: Para Professional 
7. Kamarin Hubbard: Para Professional 
8. I would also like to welcome back to the building–Mrs. Kerr. 

Supply List

High School Supply List (suggested materials): 

1. Pencils
2. Blue or black pens 
3. Colored pencils
4. Highlighters (2), your choice of colors 
5. Index cards 
6. Spiral notebooks (either college or wide rule) 
7. 3-ring binders, 1-inch (4) 
8. Dry erase markers (2-4), your choice of colors (low odor) 
9. Filler paper (either college or wide rule) 
10. Post-it notes 
11. Sturdy bookbag 
12. Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS 2-Line Scientific Calculator (suggested for Math class – can purchase from Amazon.com or in stores).

**Some classes may require additional materials. Students will receive information on individual classroom needs on the first day of school.