User:Lketcherside/Wichita NDub

Wichita Northwest High School is a fully-accredited high school located in Wichita, Kansas, USA, and is seen as a leader in educational reform practices which include block scheduling, Advanced Placement, instructional technology, academic intervention programs, vocational education, student leadership and more. The school serves over 1500 students in grades 9-12. National, state, and local assessments scores along with graduation rate are at the top. Northwest has achieved the Kansas Standard of Excellence in Reading for three years in a row and one year in Mathematics. Scores for all student groups have risen on state assessments along with attendance and graduation rates. The school has five National Board Certified Teachers. They have a significant number of administrators and teachers who have been recognized for excellence at the national, state and local level. They have a tradition of teaching and leadership excellence. Excellence in teaching with a collaborative spirit has been the basis for the implementation of Professional Learning Communities culture.

Northwest is a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) and offers a variety of sports programs. The Grizzlies athleticteams compete in the 6A division, and their other extracurricular activities they offer are in the form of performing arts, school publications, and clubs. It is a technology rich school that provides the up to date electronic connections and support for every student. Karen Pickert is the new principal at Northwest High School,she replaced Jim McNiece, who retired at the end of the 2009 school year.

The first principal was John Gasper, he named principal in the spring of 1977 to manage the details of construction with the academic program, to select the staff, and make other preparations necessary to open the $10.4 million high school at the beginning of the 1978-79 school year.The facility opened in 1978, and with colors of royal blue and gold and their mascot the Grizzlies.The facility has a commons area as the center for student activity, which serves as a dining facility, a study area, an informal social gathering place and also used for theater use and can accommodate 330. Surrounding the commons are administrative offices, instructional areas, student lockers and food service areas. The auditorium seats 800, and located adjacent to the commons. The physical education complex is located at the terminal of one of the students streets and a large multipurpose gymnasium with seating for 2,900 on folding bleachers. The gymnasium has three basketball courts when the bleachers are folded back. There is a six-lane swimming pool 25 yards long with folding bleachers for 400 spectators, located accross the hall from the gymnasium.

A highlight for the past several years has been the development of strong connections between feeder pattern elementary and middle schools of the west side with Northwest. Staff development, student exchanges, ongoing vertical and curriculum alignment have been the focus of this unified effort.

The Class of 2009 recognized six valedictorians, with over 50 Kansas Board of Regent Scholars as well as 37 National Honor Society members in the Class of 2009. Two students were designated National Merit Commended Students and one from the class a National Merit Semi-finalist.

The Visiting Review team offered five commendations
1. A student-centered culture of success, with core values of pride, excellence, and respect, permeates the environment of the NWHS.

2. The staff and administration are highly professional, collaborative, caring, and committed to student learning.

3. Northwest High School has a long-standing committment to continuous improvement, empowering all staff to experience ownership of the progress.

4. A stong academic support system offers an array of opportunities for student success.

5. Quality communication and support among all stakeholders are exemplary.

The Visiting Teams two recommendations
1. Facilitate programming to ensure the needs of the changing population are being met.

2. Expand the continuous improvement efforts beyond the core curriculum; increase the use of data-driven decision-making at the classroom level. .

.

The school must respond to the accreditation recommendations within two years and show improvement in the areas noted.

Northwest Mission Statement
To provide a safe, positive learning environment; where all students are challenged to achieve their personal best and become responsible, productive citizens in a changing world.

Northwest Statement of Equality
All students, employees, and volunteers at Northwest High School have the same opportunity to receive and participate in a quality education with the freedom for all, without favoritism and bias.

Alma Mater

 * 'Yond the gates on a
 * Northwest corner
 * Arrayed in blue and gold
 * Stands our stalwart
 * Alma Mater,
 * Proud and strong and bold.
 * Hail the Grizzlies,
 * hail the spirit,
 * May we ever know, Northwest High
 * School gives us courage
 * Forward as we go!

Northwest Fight Song

 * Hail to the Northwest Grizzlies!
 * Hail to the conq'ring heroes!
 * Hail, hail to Northwest High
 * The leaders and the best!
 * Northwest!
 * Hail to the Northwest Grizzlies!
 * Hail to the conq'ring heroes!
 * Hail, hail to Northwest High
 * The champions and the best!
 * Northwest!

Achievement Highlights

 * Softball City League & Regional Champions
 * Baseball City League & Regional Champions
 * Football District & Regional Champions
 * Wrestling 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th Place State Finishers
 * One Men's State Cross Country Medalist
 * 2nd Place Men's State Bowler, 4th Place Women's State Bowler
 * Men's Bowling City League Co-Champions
 * Bear Buddies Basketball City League Champions
 * Men's Track City League Champions
 * JROTC Grizzly Battalion Designated "Honor Unit With Distinction"
 * JROTC Orienteering Team City League Champions
 * Band & Orchestra District Award of Excellence
 * Band & Orchestra Sweepstakes Award, Heritage Music Festival, Chicago
 * Orchestra Adjudicators Award, Heritage Music Festival, Chicago
 * Ten Debate/Forensics State Qualifiers
 * Seven NCFL National Speech/Debate Qualifiers
 * Five NFL Degrees of Distinction
 * Five BPA National Competition Qualifiers
 * Eleven K-State Programming Competitors
 * Twelve DECA National Competitors
 * Two Scholastic Art Gold Keys
 * Two Scholastic Art Silver Keys