West Valley High School (Alaska)
Encyclopedia
West Valley High School is a public high school in Fairbanks
, Alaska
(USA
), and part of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
. It serves about 1,250 students from the western part of the Fairbanks area. West Valley's mascot is the Wolfpack, and its school colors are red and gold.
The current principal of West Valley is Shaun Kraska, who replaced West Valley's longest-serving principal, Marianne Carlson in 2007. Mrs. Kraska came to West Valley as an English teacher in 1994, and was also a vice principal before taking over as principal. There is a glass cage with three stuffed wolves, completed c. 1977, in West Valley's main commons. It is known as the "wolf cage" and is one way the school greets its students and visitors.
campus. The grounds include a football field and track, a soccer field, a baseball field, and other recreational areas. The building has two floors and is divided into three main sections, one of -which houses most of the classrooms, one the administrative offices and library, and one the gymnasium and other special-use rooms.
It is highly recommended that students take at least two years of a foreign language. Languages offered are French, Spanish and American Sign Language.
. West Valley often is home to many state champions in this program.
These are college-level alternatives to, or enhancements of, standard high school courses. In 2008-09 West Valley offers the following AP courses:
Art History
- Art Portfolio
- Biology
- Calculus AB & BC
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- English Language & Composition
- English Literature
- Government
- Macroeconomics
- Physics
- Spanish
- U.S. History
Team Nationals in 2005 and 2006. In the 2005 season they earned 15th place Nike
Team Nationals
and in 2006 were ranked ninth in the nation. Gymnastics team has taken the Regional Championships for 2007, 2008, and 2009. Other recent state championships include the 2005 state title earned by the women's cross-country skiing team, the 2005 state title earned by the women's track-and-field program, and the 2003 state title earned by the school's wrestling team. West Valley's wrestling program (over the years) also has the most state titles compared to any other sport and also boasts the most individual state champions. The school also regularly sends participants to both regionals and state. West Valley wrestling won the state championships 5 years in a row from 1987 to 1991, and had a duel match record of 176-1-1.
since 1986. Its Academic Decathlon team has won 9 state championships, most recently in February 2011. It competed at the national finals in Hawaii in April 2007 and achieved Alaska's best national performance ever.http://acadecscores.gilslotd.com/wiki/2007_Nationals
, called the Aurora, is published by Walsworth and comes out in May. Yearbook is a yearlong class and extracurricular activity.
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks is a home rule city in and the borough seat of the Fairbanks North Star Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska.Fairbanks is the largest city in the Interior region of Alaska, and second largest in the state behind Anchorage...
, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
(USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
), and part of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District is a public school district based in Fairbanks, Alaska . With a student enrollment of slightly over 14,000, it is the state's second largest public school district....
. It serves about 1,250 students from the western part of the Fairbanks area. West Valley's mascot is the Wolfpack, and its school colors are red and gold.
History
Originally scheduled to open at the beginning of the school year in 1976, construction delays caused the school to open after the school year had already started. To make up for the lost time mandatory school days were put in place for Saturday for three months. It was built to accommodate 750 students but the 1976-77 school year saw over 1000 students. In 1994, the nearby Hutchison Career Center started to house additional high school classes during the school day. A major renovation of the school was completed in 2000, roughly doubling the amount of classroom space to serve up to 1300 students.The current principal of West Valley is Shaun Kraska, who replaced West Valley's longest-serving principal, Marianne Carlson in 2007. Mrs. Kraska came to West Valley as an English teacher in 1994, and was also a vice principal before taking over as principal. There is a glass cage with three stuffed wolves, completed c. 1977, in West Valley's main commons. It is known as the "wolf cage" and is one way the school greets its students and visitors.
Building and grounds
West Valley is located next to the University of Alaska FairbanksUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks, located in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, is the flagship campus of the University of Alaska System, and is abbreviated as Alaska or UAF....
campus. The grounds include a football field and track, a soccer field, a baseball field, and other recreational areas. The building has two floors and is divided into three main sections, one of -which houses most of the classrooms, one the administrative offices and library, and one the gymnasium and other special-use rooms.
Academics
There are eight academic departments at West Valley: Vocational Education, Health and Physical Education, Fine Arts, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and World Languages. An appointed teacher chairs each department. Students are required to take a number of classes in most departments in order to graduate.Graduation requirements
Students at West Valley are required to obtain:- 10 credits in English/Language Arts
- 4 credits in Mathematics
- 5 credits in Science
- 8 credits in Social Studies
- 2.5 credits in P.E. (can be waived with school sports)
- 1.5 credit in Health
- 9.0 credits in general electives
It is highly recommended that students take at least two years of a foreign language. Languages offered are French, Spanish and American Sign Language.
Language Programs
The school offers French, Spanish, and American Sign Language. The German program was discontinued in 2010 but may return. The school also regularly sends participants to both regional and state level Language Declamation contests. The regionals are held locally, and the state competition usually takes place in AnchorageAnchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is a unified home rule municipality in the southcentral part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost major city in the United States...
. West Valley often is home to many state champions in this program.
AP academics
West Valley offers a number of Advanced Placement coursesAdvanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement program is a curriculum in the United States and Canada sponsored by the College Board which offers standardized courses to high school students that are generally recognized to be equivalent to undergraduate courses in college...
These are college-level alternatives to, or enhancements of, standard high school courses. In 2008-09 West Valley offers the following AP courses:
Art History
AP Art History
AP Art History is a course offered in high school through the Advanced Placement Program that gives college level material at the high school level. This class is operated by College Board...
- Art Portfolio
AP Studio Art
AP Studio Art is a series of Advanced Placement Courses divided into three different categories: AP Studio Art Drawing, AP Studio Art 2D, and AP Studio Art 3D.-The portfolio:...
- Biology
AP Biology
In the United States, Advanced Placement Biology , is a course and examination offered by the College Board to high school students as an opportunity to earn placement credit for a college-level biology course....
- Calculus AB & BC
AP Calculus
Advanced Placement Calculus is used to indicate one of two distinct Advanced Placement courses and examinations offered by the College Board, AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC....
- Chemistry
AP Chemistry
Advanced Placement Chemistry is a course and examination offered by the College Board as a part of the Advanced Placement Program to give American and Canadian high school students the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and earn college-level credit.-The course:AP Chemistry is a course...
- Computer Science
AP Computer Science
Advanced Placement Computer Science is the name of two distinct Advanced Placement courses and examinations offered by the College Board to high school students as an opportunity to earn college credit for a college-level computer science course...
- English Language & Composition
AP English Language and Composition
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program....
- English Literature
AP English Literature and Composition
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program.-The Course:This course is designated for motivated students with a command of standard English, an...
- Government
AP United States Government and Politics
Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics, also known as AP US Gov & Pol, AP US Gov, AP Go Po or AP Gov, is a college-level course and examination offered to high school students through the College Board's Advanced Placement Program...
- Macroeconomics
AP Macroeconomics
Advanced Placement Macroeconomics is a course offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program for high school students interested in college-level work in economics...
- Physics
AP Physics
AP Physics defines three categories of high school physics courses: A, B, and C. Category A refers to general introductory physics courses that are not mathematically rigorous...
- Spanish
AP Spanish Language
Advanced Placement Spanish Language is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program.-The course:...
- U.S. History
AP United States History
Advanced Placement United States History is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program...
Music
West Valley offers a variety of music electives, including Jazz Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Mixed and Concert Choirs, and Steel Drums. Many individuals and groups compete in the All-state Music Festival and Statewide Solo & Small Ensemble Competition held every spring. In 2008 one West Valley orchestra member received first chair awards at the All-state Music Festival. Also in 2008, West Valley boasted a vocal solo, string quartet, and the flute half of a clarinet flute duet receiving command performance at Solo & Small Ensemble.Theatre
Under the guidance of a theatre teacher who graduated from West Valley herself, this school's program has flourished. Up to 70 students are involved at any given time in the school's 3 annual performances, Children's Theatre outreach program, and Thespian Troupe #628. Students take on roles as actors, directors, and technical support. As the sole remaining school with a full-fledged Theatre program in the FNSBSD, WVHS consistently proves its talents onstage and in the wings.Sports
West Valley offers all standard high school sports, including swimming, baseball, basketball, cross-country running and skiing, football, Gymnastics, hockey, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, wrestling, rifle and volleyball. The West Valley girls' cross-country running team won the 2005, 2006, and 2009 state championships. They have competed in NikeNike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
Team Nationals in 2005 and 2006. In the 2005 season they earned 15th place Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
Team Nationals
Nike Team Nationals
Nike Cross Nationals is an invitational cross country meet that serves as the unofficial team national championship of United States high school cross country. It was designed to heighten competition between high school cross country teams nationwide...
and in 2006 were ranked ninth in the nation. Gymnastics team has taken the Regional Championships for 2007, 2008, and 2009. Other recent state championships include the 2005 state title earned by the women's cross-country skiing team, the 2005 state title earned by the women's track-and-field program, and the 2003 state title earned by the school's wrestling team. West Valley's wrestling program (over the years) also has the most state titles compared to any other sport and also boasts the most individual state champions. The school also regularly sends participants to both regionals and state. West Valley wrestling won the state championships 5 years in a row from 1987 to 1991, and had a duel match record of 176-1-1.
Student government
West Valley has a student body council as well as a council for each class. Each student government has an advisor and five officers. There are often opportunities for members to also become involved in AASG, the Alaska Association of Student Governments, and serve on both the regional board of Fairbanks Student Councils, as well as on the state board.Academic Decathlon
West Valley has competed in the United States Academic DecathlonUnited States Academic Decathlon
The United States Academic Decathlon is an annual high school academic competition organized by the non-profit United States Academic Decathlon Association. The competition consists of seven multiple choice tests, two performance events, and an essay...
since 1986. Its Academic Decathlon team has won 9 state championships, most recently in February 2011. It competed at the national finals in Hawaii in April 2007 and achieved Alaska's best national performance ever.http://acadecscores.gilslotd.com/wiki/2007_Nationals
Newspaper
West Valley's newspaper was founded in 2005 and is named The Howler. It puts out two to three issues per semester. A previous school newspaper named The Blizzard was published intermittently up to the late 1990s.Yearbook
The yearbookYearbook
A yearbook, also known as an annual, is a book to record, highlight, and commemorate the past year of a school or a book published annually. Virtually all American, Australian and Canadian high schools, most colleges and many elementary and middle schools publish yearbooks...
, called the Aurora, is published by Walsworth and comes out in May. Yearbook is a yearlong class and extracurricular activity.