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{{Infobox school
'''Webster Groves High School''' is a [[public]] [[secondary]] school in [[Webster Groves, Missouri]]. It is located at 100 Selma Ave, Webster Groves, MO. The school is part of the [[Webster Groves School District]] and its current principal is Dr. Jon Clark.
| name = Webster Groves High School
| logo = [[File:Webster Groves WG.png|180px]]
| image = Webster Groves High School senior entrance.JPG
| image_size = 300px
| caption = Senior entrance
| motto =
| established = 1906
| type = [[Public education|Public]] [[Secondary education|secondary]]
| affiliation =
| district = Webster Groves School District
| grades = 9–12
| ceeb = 263573
| president =
| principal = Matt Irvin<ref name="aboutWGHS">{{cite web |title=About WGHS / Administrative Contacts |url=https://mo02202299.schoolwires.net/domain/270 |website=mo02202299.schoolwires.net |access-date=1 November 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
| head of school =
| dean =
| faculty = 92.72 (FTE)<ref name=NCES/>
| staff =
| students = 1,315 (2022-23)<ref name=NCES>{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=2931530&ID=293153002197|title=WEBSTER GROVES HIGH|publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|access-date=August 14, 2021}}</ref>
| enrollment =
| athletics = [[Missouri State High School Activities Association]] - Varsity and Junior Varsity
| conference = [[Suburban Conference (St. Louis)|Suburban XII (South)]]
| colors = Orange and Black {{color box|orange}} {{color box|black}}
| mascot = [[politician|Statesmen]]
| rival = [[Kirkwood High School]] Pioneers
| campus type =
| campus size =
| newspaper = [http://wgecho.org/ The Echo]
| ratio = 14.18<ref name=NCES/>
| classrooms = 130
| free_label = Superintendent
| free_text =
| free_label2 =
| free_text2 =
| free_label3 =
| free_text3 =
| location = 100 Selma Avenue [[Webster Groves, Missouri]]
| country = USA
| coordinates = {{coord|38.5901|-90.3483|type:edu_region:US-MO|display=inline,title}}
| website = {{url|https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/wghs|WGHS Home}}
}}
'''Webster Groves High School''' is a [[state school|public]] [[secondary school|secondary]] school in [[Webster Groves, Missouri]], [[United States]].{{sfn|Missouri School Directory 2012|p=862}} It is located at 100 Selma Ave, Webster Groves, MO. The school is part of the [[Webster Groves School District]] and its current principal is Matt Irvin.


==History==
==History==


Webster Groves High School was first established in 1889 as a ninth grade course. The school originally occupied the first floor of the original white frame [[Webster Groves School District|Bristol School]] building, then known as Webster School, or sometimes the Gray Avenue School;<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://historicwebster.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/The-Ridge-at-Rock-Hill-Walking-Tour.pdf | title=The Ridge at the Rock Hill Road | website=historicwebster.org}}</ref> the elementary school took up the second floor. George L. Hawkins was the principal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=School History / WGHS History |url=https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Domain/https%3A%2F%2Fbackend.710302.xyz%3A443%2Fhttp%2Fwww.webster.k12.mo.us%2Fsite%2Fdefault.aspx%3FDomainID%3D4272 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=www.webster.k12.mo.us |language=en}}</ref> As enrollment increased, the high school used hallways and storerooms as supplementary classrooms. Eventually, they rented space in the Congregational Church and the Brannon Building. In 1905, the entire high school was moved to the second floor of the Brannon Building.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elementary Schools |url=http://www.wghs1963.com/elementary-schools.html |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=WGHS1963 |language=en}}</ref>
Webster Groves High School was first established in 1889 as a ninth grade course. The original high school building was located on Gray Avenue, which was later changed into Bristol Elementary School. In 1906, a new building for the school was built at its current location, 100 Selma Avenue. At first the high school was a two-story brick building with three classrooms and an auditorium. In 1913 two wings were added to the school, which contained an auditorium and a gymnasium. In 1917 an Armory was erected, but it converted to the gymnasium/lunch room after World War I. In 1946 that building was replaced by Roberts Gym, named after Charles A. Roberts, who coached and taught at the school for 39 years.
In the 1920s a three-story section and public library were added. In 1935 an addition was completed that added the drama, home economics, and science department classrooms.
In 1966 a three-story wing was added onto the back of the building and the Herbert Schooling Library was donated. The original fireplace from this library still stands today.


In 1905, citizens started recognizing the need for a new high school for Webster Groves, so they voted for a $40,000 bond issue to purchase the site where it currently stands 100 Selma Avenue, and build the school. The building faced Selma Avenue but was closer to Bradford Avenue. It was far back from the street, and was very long and thin, likely built similar to the current day Bristol Elementary School building. The high school building was completed in 1907. At first the high school was a two-story brick building with three classrooms and an auditorium. In 1914, two wings were added to the school, a south wing for a gymnasium, and a north wing for an auditorium, 12 classrooms, and a "girls gym". In 1917 an Armory for the Home Guard was created behind the school, which was eventually given to the high school. It was used as a lunchroom and a gymnasium for seniors. James Hixson served as the first principal from 1907 to 1943.<ref name="100yrs">{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Todd|title=Book documents 100-year history of high school|url=http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/book-documents--year-history-of-high-school/article_1fb86ff7-8967-5e93-a076-7d845c2aa164.html|access-date=4 June 2017|work=St. Louis Post Dispatch|date=3 October 2007}}</ref>
==Facilities==
[[File:WGHSseniorentrance.jpg|thumb|The senior entrance of Webster Groves High School, completed in 1927. Photo taken 2023.]]
The Webster Groves High School building has 84 classrooms along with an auditorium, a media center, and a theater. It has a soccer field to the west and a baseball and softball field to the east. Moss Field, the football stadium, is located at [[Hixson Middle School]] at 630 South Elm Avenue, a short drive from the high school. The field was built in 1946 and has been renovated many times so that it now has locker rooms, bleachers, lights and an all-weather track.
In the 1920s a three-story section and the city's public library were added just north of this building. In 1925, a bond issue provided funding to completely redo the school. A new section was built meant specifically for seniors, children from 9-12th grade. This new section was completed on October 6, 1927 and was named Frank Hamsher High School, after the school district's 4th superintendent, who had died in 1924. This new addition contained an double level auditorium, gymnasium, and 9 classrooms. It is now referred to as the senior entrance. The second part of the plan involved building another new part of the school just to the south of the new section, called the junior entrance. The original building was used for juniors, children 6-8th grade from 1927 until 1935, when it was either torn down in 1935 or left behind the 1935 section. This new addition contained 28 classrooms for classes like drama and science, FACS rooms, art rooms. It also added the Little Theater, which was modeled after the Yale Repertory Theater of the time,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Marty |date=2006-11-17 |title=100 Years Of WGHS |url=https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/features/100-years-of-wghs/article_9ae66d2d-a72b-5a27-b59f-c6abb8770689.html |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=WKTimes LLC |language=en}}</ref> and had drama and music rooms above it.


Some time in the 1940s or 1950s, an autobody shop was built in the northeast corner of the high school property to serve auto maintenance classes. It was constructed as a separate building that could house small cars or large semi trucks. In the mid 1970's an indoor walkway was constructed between the main building and this sub-building.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=1937 |title=St Louis County Historic Aerials |url=https://data-stlcogis.opendata.arcgis.com/apps/historic-aerials/explore}}</ref>
==Mission Statement==


In 1947, the Armory building behind the school was replaced by Roberts Gym, named after Charles A. Roberts, who coached and taught at the school for 39 years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WGHS History |url=http://www.wghs1963.com/wghs-history.html |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=WGHS1963 |language=en}}</ref> The main entrance of this building was on the ground floor facing Bradford Avenue and led into the cafeteria.
The Webster Groves School District community is committed to academic and personal success for every student.

Howard Latta was principal from 1943 to 1968.<ref name="100yrs" /> WGHS was racially integrated in 1956, 2 years after Brown v Board of Education, bringing in children from [[Douglass High School (Webster Groves, Missouri)|Douglass High School]]. In 1966 a 2-story elevated wing was added onto the back of the building, now containing many classrooms for math and world languages. It enclosed a large section of the courtyard, but still let students travel underneath it. The Herbert Schooling Library was donated around this time. Jerry Knight was principal from 1969 to 1986.<ref name="wkts100yrs">{{cite news|last1=Harris|first1=Marty|title=100 Years Of WGHS|url=http://www.websterkirkwoodtimes.com/Articles-Features-c-2006-11-16-64630.113117-sub-100-Years-Of-WGHS.html|access-date=4 June 2017|work=Webster-Kirkwood Times|date=17 November 2006}}</ref> The main auditorium within the Senior entrance is now named after him.

The main common area, used largely for lunch, was built under the 2 story section in 2002. It was named P.V. Commons is named after Patricia Voss, the principal from 1994-2003. She had been an assistant principal since 1977.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Marty |date=13 December 2002 |title=Pat Voss To Retire As WG High Principal |url=http://www.websterkirkwoodtimes.com/Articles-Features-c-2006-11-16-64630.113117-sub-100-Years-Of-WGHS.html |access-date=4 June 2017 |work=Webster-Kirkwood Times}}</ref> In October 2002 a white powdery substance found in a tissue box provoked a two-hour lockdown. Investigators later determined the substance was not [[Anthrax]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Frese|first1=Rick|title=Board Briefed On WGHS Anthrax Scare|url=http://www.websterkirkwoodtimes.com/Articles-News-c-2012-01-05-178544.114137-sub-Board-Briefed-On-WGHS-Anthrax-Scare.html|access-date=4 June 2017|work=Webster-Kirkwood Times|date=26 October 2001}}</ref> The Webster Groves School Board appointed Jon Clark as principal in 2003. Clark had been an assistant principal at the high school for seven years.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Monahan|first1=James|title=Jon Clark Named Principal Of Webster High|url=http://www.websterkirkwoodtimes.com/Articles-News-c-2011-08-04-176336.114137-sub-Jon-Clark-Named-Principal-Of-Webster-High.html|access-date=4 June 2017|work=Webster-Kirkwood Times|date=7 March 2003}}</ref>

In 2010, an old section of the school building was torn down (possibly the original high school building) to build an auxiliary gym between Robert's Gym and Junior Entrance. <ref name=":0" />

In 2011, construction began on a 106,000-square-foot addition to the school. During this time, the old auto maintenance shop and a small original north wing was torn down to make room for it. A temporary auto maintenance shop was set up under the 1966 section of building, where the plywood walls still stand, as of 2024. The major new addition was completed in 2012, it included new classrooms, state-of-the-art science labs, a main band room, private band practice rooms, art studios, industrial technology classrooms, and an autobody shop in the basement. The social studies department also had new rooms constructed in this section, as well as some utility rooms and a loading dock. To get to the car shop basement, an car elevator was constructed to bring cars down into the cavernous auto maintenance shop. The roof of the building also features a vegetation courtyard. In addition, three 20,000 gallon water harvesting tanks are located at the base of the building for rain collection and irrigation for the field behind the building. The expansion was built to resemble the look of the existing building, including the use of terrazzo floors and steps, and limestone accents.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.slfp.com/CNews052311.htm|title=St. Louis Construction and Housing News|website=www.slfp.com|access-date=2017-03-20}}</ref> The old gymnasium behind Knight Auditorium was sectioned off during this process and now contains the drama department rooms, as well as a black box theater.

For several years, the Little Theater had been dealing with black mold problems, and nobody was allowed inside. In 2024, the building was demolished and replaced with Frick Theater. It was built for $2 million, funded by Mr. and Ms. Frick, and was designed to be a clean theater, meaning nothing will be painted or drilled into the floors for performances, unlike the Knight Auditorium.

==Facilities==
The Webster Groves High School building has approximately 130 classrooms along with an auditorium, a media center, and a theater. It has a soccer field to the west and a baseball/softball field to the east. Moss Field, the football stadium, is located at [[Hixson Middle School]] at 630 South Elm Avenue, a short drive from the high school. The field was built in 1946 and has been renovated several times. It now has locker rooms, bleachers, lights and an all-weather track. As of 2024, it is undergoing a full transformation, including an eight lane track, turf field, concession stands, locker rooms and restrooms, concrete seating, and a video scoreboard.<ref>{{Cite web |title=An update on Moss Field |url=https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/site/https%3A%2F%2Fbackend.710302.xyz%3A443%2Fhttp%2Fwww.webster.k12.mo.us%2Fsite%2Fdefault.aspx%3FPageType%3D3%26DomainID%3D8%26ModuleInstanceID%3D7079%26ViewID%3D6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108%26RenderLoc%3D0%26FlexDataID%3D45829%26PageID%3D9 |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=www.webster.k12.mo.us |language=en}}</ref>


==Curriculum==
==Curriculum==


24 credits are required to graduate from Webster Groves High School. The class of 2010 and every class after them currently needs four credits of Communication Skills, three credits of Science, Math, and Social Studies, one Fine Art credit, one and a half credits of Practical Arts and Physical Education, and six and a half Elective Credits. On top of this, students are required to take a half credit of Personal Finance, which can be counted as a practical art or a social studies credit.
24 credits are required to graduate from Webster Groves High School. The class of 2010 required four credits of Communication Skills; three credits each of Science, Math, and Social Studies; one Fine Art credit; one and a half credits each of Practical Arts and Physical Education; and six and a half Elective Credits. Students are also required to take a half credit of Personal Finance, which is considered either a practical art or a social studies credit.


The 2023-24 school year required students to have 4 credits of English, 3 of Math, Science, and Social Studies, 1 of Fine Arts (such as Art, Drama, or Music), 1 of Practical Arts (such as Business, Family and Consumer Sciences, or Industrial Technology), 1 of Physical Education, 0.5 of health, and 1 Personal Finance course, combined with 7.5 elective credits.
==Activities and Clubs==

*A-Men
==Activities and clubs==
*Acting to Build Character (ABC)
[[File:Webster Groves High School marching band - 2012.JPG|thumb|Webster Groves High School marching band at the 2012 [[Kirkwood–Webster Groves Turkey Day Game|Turkey Day game]] vs Kirkwood at Moss Field.]]Webster Groves High School offers over 60 clubs for its students to participate in, covering a wide range of student interests.
*Anime Club
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|content=
*Art Club
*[[Anime]] Club
*[[Asian Americans|APIDA]] Club
*[[Art]] Club
*Athletic Training Club
*Athletic Training Club
*Band
*[[School band|Band]]
*Best Buddies
*Chess Club
*Beyond Webster
*Choir
*Branch Creative Writing Club
*Circle of Friends
*[[Brass instrument|Brass]] Choir
*[[DECA_(organization)|DECA]]
*Breakfast [[Book discussion club|Book Club]]
*Fall Musical
*[[Chess]] Club
*Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
*[[Choir]]
*Fencing Club
*Class Councils
*FIRE
*[[Cycling]] Club
*Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
*[[DECA (organization)|DECA]]
*Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA)
*German Exchange Club
*[[Dungeons & Dragons]] Club
*Echo Newspaper
*Guard
*History Club
*[[Economics]] Club
*[[Environmentalism|Environmental]] Club
*International Club
*[[Family, Career and Community Leaders of America|FCCLA]]
*Jazz Band
*[[Feminism|Feminist]] Coalition
*Key Club
*Latin Club
*[[Fishing]] Club
*[[Pi Delta Phi|French National Honor Society]] (FBLA)
*Math Club
*Future [[Health professional|Medical Professionals]]
*National Honor Society (NHS)
*[[Gardening]] Club
*Peer Helpers
*German Exchange Club (GAPP)
*Reflections Archives
*[[German National Honor Society]] (GNHS)
*STAR / FCCLA
*[[Gay-straight alliance|Gender-Sexuality Alliance]] (GSA)
*Student Action For the Environment (SAFE)
*History in Action Club
*Student Council
*Interact Club
*Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
*[[Jazz]] Band
*Students for Awareness and Action (SAA)
*[[National Junior Classical League|Junior Classical League / Latin Club]]
*Swing Dance Club
*[[National Art Honor Society]] (NAHS)
*Thespians
*[[National Honor Society]] (NHS)
*Webster's Reel Film Project
*[[National Technical Honor Society]] (NTHS)
*Yoga Club
*PACERS / Future Leaders
*Pep Club
*Reel Film Club
*[[Robotics]] Team
*[[Rock climbing]] Club
*S.T.A.R.T.
*[[Quiz bowl|Scholar Bowl]] Teams
*[[Skiing|Ski]] Club
*[[Spanish language|Spanish]] Club
*[[Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica|Spanish National Honor Society]] (SNHS)
*Statesmen [[Symphony]]
*[[Student Council]]
*[[Tea]] Club
*[[Theatre|Theater]]
*[[Tri-M]] Music National Honor Society
*[[Ultimate (sport)|Ultimate Frisbee]] Team
*Webster Tackles Cancer
*WGHS [[A Cappella]]
*WGHS [[E-sports]] Team
*[[Women in STEM fields|Women in STEM]] Club
*[[Woodwind instrument|Woodwind]] Choir
*[[Yearbook]] Club
}}


Students may organize their own clubs as long as they are accompanied by a faculty sponsor and chartered by the student council.
==Turkey Day Football Game==
The Turkey Day football game is an annual game held on Thanksgiving Day between Webster Groves High School and its rival, Kirkwood High School. The rivalry between the two schools is the oldest rivalry west of the Mississippi.
The location of the game alternates each year between Webster’s Moss Field and Kirkwood’s Lyon’s Memorial field. In 2007, the 100th Turkey Day game was played at Kirkwood High School. A number of festivities surround the game, including a shared dance and a separate bonfire and pep rally at each school.


==Sports==
==Sports==
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2019}}
Webster Groves High School sponsors a number of different sports, including [[American football|football]], [[soccer]], [[basketball]], [[baseball]], [[softball]], [[golf]], [[track]] and [[field]], [[swimming]], and [[lacrosse]].
Webster Groves High School sponsors a number of different sports, including [[American football|football]] (men's), field hockey, [[soccer]] (men's and women's), [[basketball]] (men's and women's), [[baseball]] (men's), [[softball]] (women's), [[golf]] (men's and women's), [[track and field]] (men's and women's), [[swimming (sport)|swimming]] (men's and women's), and [[lacrosse]] (women's). [[Ice hockey]] and men's lacrosse are non-affiliate sports at the high school.


[[File:Frisco Bell at Turkey Day game - 2013.jpg|thumb|Students ring the Frisco Bell at the 2013 [[Kirkwood–Webster Groves Turkey Day Game|Turkey Day game]].]]
===State Championship Wins===
The ''[[Kirkwood–Webster Groves Turkey Day Game|Turkey Day football game]]'' is an annual game held on Thanksgiving Day between Webster Groves High School and its longtime rival, [[Kirkwood High School]]. The rivalry between the two schools is the oldest current Thanksgiving Day rivalry west of the Mississippi River. The location of the game alternates each year between Webster’s Moss Field and Kirkwood’s Lyon’s Memorial field. A number of festivities surround the game, including a shared dance and a separate bonfire and pep rally at each school. It began in 1907 and is the longest running classic west of the Mississippi. The winner of each year's game is presented with the Frisco Bell, a bell from a train donated by the Frisco Railroad line. The losers used to get the Little Brown Jug, however it has not been seen in a while. 2007 was the 100th year of this storied series between the two schools, and the game had attendance exceeding 12,000 fans.


===State championship wins===
*1931: Boys Track  
{{div col|colwidth=13em}}
*1947: Boys Golf    
*1951: Boys Golf    
*1931: Boys Track
*1954: Boys Golf    
*1947: Boys Golf
*1967: Boys Swimming    
*1951: Boys Golf
*1968: Boys Swimming    
*1954: Boys Golf
*1954: Football
*1970: Boys Swimming    
*1967: Boys Swimming
*1979: Football  
*1968: Boys Swimming
*1983: Girls Golf    
*1970: Boys Swimming
*1984: Girls Golf    
*1979: Football
*1988: Football  
*1983: Girls Golf
*1996: Boys Basketball  
*1984: Girls Golf
*2002: Football  
*1988: Football
*2008: Boys Basketball  
*1996: Boys Basketball
*2002: Football
*2008: Boys Basketball; Ranked 18th in the Nation
*2009: Football; Ranked 7th in the Midwest/Midlands Region
*2014: Boys Soccer; first ever in school history
*2015: Boys Soccer; first public school to win twice in a row
*2017: Boys Basketball
*2017: Girls Soccer; first ever in school history
*2018: Boys Basketball
*2020: Softball
*2022: Boys Basketball
*2022: Boys Golf
*2022: Boys Soccer
{{div col end}}


==Media References==
==Media references==
In 1966 CBS produced an award winning documentary called 16 in Webster, which was about the lives of students in Webster Groves.
In 1966 [[CBS]] produced an award winning documentary called ''[[16 In Webster Groves]]'', which was about the lives of students in Webster Groves.
In 1996 then-President Bill Clinton came to the school to recognize the Webster Groves School District’s work towards preventing drugs and violence among its students.
In 1996 then-President [[Bill Clinton]] came to the school to recognize the Webster Groves School District’s work towards preventing drugs and violence among its students.
In 1999 Time magazine devoted a cover story to a week at Webster Groves High School.
In 1999 [[Time (magazine)|Time]] magazine devoted a cover story to a week at Webster Groves High School.


==Faculty==
==Faculty==
*Average professional experience: 15.3 years
*Average professional experience: 15.3 years.
*Percentage of teachers with advanced degrees: 79.4%
*Percentage of teachers with advanced degrees: 79.4%.


==School Information==
==School information==
*Grades: 9-12
*Grades: 9-12
*Enrollment: 1,378
*Enrollment: 1,378
*Senior class of 2008: 329
*Senior class of 2018: 339
*Student/teacher Ratio: 19:1
*Student/teacher Ratio: 19:1
*Rate of Attendance: 93.6%
*Rate of Attendance: 93.6%
*Graduation Rate: 97.9%
*Graduation Rate: 97.9%
*2008 Composite ACT Score: 23.4
*2008 Composite ACT Score: 23.4
*2008 National Merit Semifinalist Students: 2
*2014 National Merit Semifinalist Students: 4
*2008 National Merit Commended Students: 4
*2014 National Merit Commended Students: 4
*Courses offering College Credit: 23
*Courses offering College Credit: 23

Webster Groves High School is a closed campus for grades 9-10. Juniors and Seniors are given the privilege to leave campus during their lunch hour, with Juniors being given said privilege more recently.

<ref>{{cite web | url=https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1476&context=gg | title=&#124; Jstor }}</ref>

==Notable alumni==
{{cite section|date=August 2024}}
<!-- names listed here should have a Wikipedia article (indicating they are notable) which includes references to sources supporting that they are an alumnus -->
{{div col|colwidth=40em}}
* [[Bud Byerly]], former Major League Baseball player, ([[St. Louis Cardinals]])
* [[Harry Caray]], former Major League Baseball broadcaster, ([[St. Louis Cardinals]], [[St. Louis Browns]], [[Oakland Athletics]], [[Chicago White Sox]], [[Chicago Cubs]])
* [[Skip Caray]], former Major League Baseball broadcaster, ([[Atlanta Braves]]){{citation needed|date=August 2020|reason=attendance}}
* [[Rick Cash]], former National Football League player, ([[Atlanta Falcons]], [[Los Angeles Rams]], [[New England Patriots]])
* [[Adrian Clayborn]], former National Football League player, ([[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]], [[Atlanta Falcons]], [[New England Patriots]], [[Cleveland Browns]])
* [[Ivory Crockett]], former [[Sprint (running)|sprinter]]
* [[Bob Dotson]], TV journalist (NBC)
* [[Steve Ewing]], lead singer of The Urge
* [[Peter Fairbanks]], [[MLB]] player ([[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]], [[Tampa Bay Rays]])
* [[Jonathan Franzen]], author
* [[Kimberly Gardner]], Circuit Attorney for the [[St. Louis|City of St. Louis]]
* [[Charlie James (baseball)|Charlie James]], former [[MLB]] player ([[St. Louis Cardinals]], [[Cincinnati Reds]])
* [[Ann J. Johanson]], pediatric endocrinologist<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uvamedalum.org/in-memoriam/ann-j-johanson-md/|title=Ann J. Johanson, MD|date=February 17, 2020|work=UVA Medical Alumni Association}}</ref>
* [[Karlie Kloss]], supermodel; class of 2011<ref name="STLToday May 2011"/>
* [[Jim Krebs]], former [[NBA]] player ([[Los Angeles Lakers]])
* [[Scott Mayfield]], hockey player, 34th overall selection by [[New York Islanders]] in [[2011 NHL Entry Draft]]
* [[Russ Mitchell]], journalist, former [[CBS News]] anchor and current [[WKYC]] lead anchor
* [[Bob Sadowski (third baseman)|Bob Sadowski]], former [[MLB]] player ([[St. Louis Cardinals]], [[Philadelphia Phillies]], [[Chicago White Sox]], [[Los Angeles]])
* [[Tommy Turner (athlete)|Tommy Turner]], Olympic sprinter
* [[Laura Les]], class of 2013, musician and member of [[100 gecs]]{{cn|date=August 2024}}
{{div col end}}


==References==
==References==
'''Citations'''
* [http://dese.mo.gov/planning/profile/building/arsd0961141050.html Webster Groves High School 2007-2008 Accountability Report Card]. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. 6 December 2008. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="STLToday May 2011">{{cite news |title=Top fashion model Karlie Kloss goes to the Webster Groves High School prom |url=http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/columns/deb-peterson/top-fashion-model-karlie-kloss-goes-to-the-webster-groves/article_3fb07562-7680-11e0-9b4b-0019bb30f31a.html |publisher=Kevin Mowbray |newspaper=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]] |last=Peterson |first=Deb |date=May 4, 2011 |access-date=September 30, 2012}}</ref>
<!--
<ref name="MDESE Webster Report Card">{{Cite web |title=Webster Groves High School 2007-2008 Accountability Report Card |url=http://dese.mo.gov/planning/profile/building/arsd0961141050.html |publisher=[[Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education]] |date=December 6, 2008 |access-date=May 11, 2009}}{{Deadlink|date=November 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="Webster K12 District History">{{Cite web|title=District Information - History |url=http://www.webster.k12.mo.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=22570 |publisher=webster.k12.mo.us |access-date=May 11, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113075209/http://www.webster.k12.mo.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=22570 |archive-date=November 13, 2008 }}</ref>
<ref name="Webster K12 School History">{{Cite web|title=Webster Groves High School History |url=http://www.webster.k12.mo.us/education/dept/dept.php?sectionid=1790& |publisher=www.webster.k12.mo.us |access-date=November 9, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223205210/http://www.webster.k12.mo.us/education/dept/dept.php?sectionid=1790& |archive-date=February 23, 2012 }}</ref>
* "Webster Groves High School Profile". Webster Groves High School Guidance Center. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
* "Webster Groves High School Profile". Webster Groves High School Guidance Center. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
-->
* [http://www.webster.k12.mo.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=22570 District Information - History] Webster Groves High School. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
}}

'''Sources'''
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite report |title=Missouri School Directory |url=http://mcds.dese.mo.gov/quickfacts/District%20and%20School%20Information/Missouri%20School%20Directory%20-%20by%20County%20(All%20Districts).pdf |publisher=[[Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education]] |date=September 12, 2012 |ref={{sfnRef|Missouri School Directory 2012}} }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/wghs}}
{{Suburban Conference (St. Louis)}}
{{St. Louis Metro Area High Schools}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1906]]
[[Category:High schools in St. Louis County, Missouri]]
[[Category:Public high schools in Missouri]]
[[Category:1906 establishments in Missouri]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in St. Louis County, Missouri]]

Latest revision as of 21:40, 1 September 2024

Webster Groves High School
Senior entrance
Location
Map
100 Selma Avenue Webster Groves, Missouri

United States
Coordinates38°35′24″N 90°20′54″W / 38.5901°N 90.3483°W / 38.5901; -90.3483
Information
TypePublic secondary
Established1906
School districtWebster Groves School District
CEEB code263573
PrincipalMatt Irvin[1]
Faculty92.72 (FTE)[2]
Grades9–12
Number of students1,315 (2022-23)[2]
Student to teacher ratio14.18[2]
Classrooms130
Color(s)Orange and Black    
AthleticsMissouri State High School Activities Association - Varsity and Junior Varsity
Athletics conferenceSuburban XII (South)
MascotStatesmen
RivalKirkwood High School Pioneers
NewspaperThe Echo
WebsiteWGHS Home

Webster Groves High School is a public secondary school in Webster Groves, Missouri, United States.[3] It is located at 100 Selma Ave, Webster Groves, MO. The school is part of the Webster Groves School District and its current principal is Matt Irvin.

History

[edit]

Webster Groves High School was first established in 1889 as a ninth grade course. The school originally occupied the first floor of the original white frame Bristol School building, then known as Webster School, or sometimes the Gray Avenue School;[4] the elementary school took up the second floor. George L. Hawkins was the principal.[5] As enrollment increased, the high school used hallways and storerooms as supplementary classrooms. Eventually, they rented space in the Congregational Church and the Brannon Building. In 1905, the entire high school was moved to the second floor of the Brannon Building.[6]

In 1905, citizens started recognizing the need for a new high school for Webster Groves, so they voted for a $40,000 bond issue to purchase the site where it currently stands 100 Selma Avenue, and build the school. The building faced Selma Avenue but was closer to Bradford Avenue. It was far back from the street, and was very long and thin, likely built similar to the current day Bristol Elementary School building. The high school building was completed in 1907. At first the high school was a two-story brick building with three classrooms and an auditorium. In 1914, two wings were added to the school, a south wing for a gymnasium, and a north wing for an auditorium, 12 classrooms, and a "girls gym". In 1917 an Armory for the Home Guard was created behind the school, which was eventually given to the high school. It was used as a lunchroom and a gymnasium for seniors. James Hixson served as the first principal from 1907 to 1943.[7]

The senior entrance of Webster Groves High School, completed in 1927. Photo taken 2023.

In the 1920s a three-story section and the city's public library were added just north of this building. In 1925, a bond issue provided funding to completely redo the school. A new section was built meant specifically for seniors, children from 9-12th grade. This new section was completed on October 6, 1927 and was named Frank Hamsher High School, after the school district's 4th superintendent, who had died in 1924. This new addition contained an double level auditorium, gymnasium, and 9 classrooms. It is now referred to as the senior entrance. The second part of the plan involved building another new part of the school just to the south of the new section, called the junior entrance. The original building was used for juniors, children 6-8th grade from 1927 until 1935, when it was either torn down in 1935 or left behind the 1935 section. This new addition contained 28 classrooms for classes like drama and science, FACS rooms, art rooms. It also added the Little Theater, which was modeled after the Yale Repertory Theater of the time,[8] and had drama and music rooms above it.

Some time in the 1940s or 1950s, an autobody shop was built in the northeast corner of the high school property to serve auto maintenance classes. It was constructed as a separate building that could house small cars or large semi trucks. In the mid 1970's an indoor walkway was constructed between the main building and this sub-building.[9]

In 1947, the Armory building behind the school was replaced by Roberts Gym, named after Charles A. Roberts, who coached and taught at the school for 39 years.[10] The main entrance of this building was on the ground floor facing Bradford Avenue and led into the cafeteria.

Howard Latta was principal from 1943 to 1968.[7] WGHS was racially integrated in 1956, 2 years after Brown v Board of Education, bringing in children from Douglass High School. In 1966 a 2-story elevated wing was added onto the back of the building, now containing many classrooms for math and world languages. It enclosed a large section of the courtyard, but still let students travel underneath it. The Herbert Schooling Library was donated around this time. Jerry Knight was principal from 1969 to 1986.[11] The main auditorium within the Senior entrance is now named after him.

The main common area, used largely for lunch, was built under the 2 story section in 2002. It was named P.V. Commons is named after Patricia Voss, the principal from 1994-2003. She had been an assistant principal since 1977.[12] In October 2002 a white powdery substance found in a tissue box provoked a two-hour lockdown. Investigators later determined the substance was not Anthrax.[13] The Webster Groves School Board appointed Jon Clark as principal in 2003. Clark had been an assistant principal at the high school for seven years.[14]

In 2010, an old section of the school building was torn down (possibly the original high school building) to build an auxiliary gym between Robert's Gym and Junior Entrance. [9]

In 2011, construction began on a 106,000-square-foot addition to the school. During this time, the old auto maintenance shop and a small original north wing was torn down to make room for it. A temporary auto maintenance shop was set up under the 1966 section of building, where the plywood walls still stand, as of 2024. The major new addition was completed in 2012, it included new classrooms, state-of-the-art science labs, a main band room, private band practice rooms, art studios, industrial technology classrooms, and an autobody shop in the basement. The social studies department also had new rooms constructed in this section, as well as some utility rooms and a loading dock. To get to the car shop basement, an car elevator was constructed to bring cars down into the cavernous auto maintenance shop. The roof of the building also features a vegetation courtyard. In addition, three 20,000 gallon water harvesting tanks are located at the base of the building for rain collection and irrigation for the field behind the building. The expansion was built to resemble the look of the existing building, including the use of terrazzo floors and steps, and limestone accents.[15] The old gymnasium behind Knight Auditorium was sectioned off during this process and now contains the drama department rooms, as well as a black box theater.

For several years, the Little Theater had been dealing with black mold problems, and nobody was allowed inside. In 2024, the building was demolished and replaced with Frick Theater. It was built for $2 million, funded by Mr. and Ms. Frick, and was designed to be a clean theater, meaning nothing will be painted or drilled into the floors for performances, unlike the Knight Auditorium.

Facilities

[edit]

The Webster Groves High School building has approximately 130 classrooms along with an auditorium, a media center, and a theater. It has a soccer field to the west and a baseball/softball field to the east. Moss Field, the football stadium, is located at Hixson Middle School at 630 South Elm Avenue, a short drive from the high school. The field was built in 1946 and has been renovated several times. It now has locker rooms, bleachers, lights and an all-weather track. As of 2024, it is undergoing a full transformation, including an eight lane track, turf field, concession stands, locker rooms and restrooms, concrete seating, and a video scoreboard.[16]

Curriculum

[edit]

24 credits are required to graduate from Webster Groves High School. The class of 2010 required four credits of Communication Skills; three credits each of Science, Math, and Social Studies; one Fine Art credit; one and a half credits each of Practical Arts and Physical Education; and six and a half Elective Credits. Students are also required to take a half credit of Personal Finance, which is considered either a practical art or a social studies credit.

The 2023-24 school year required students to have 4 credits of English, 3 of Math, Science, and Social Studies, 1 of Fine Arts (such as Art, Drama, or Music), 1 of Practical Arts (such as Business, Family and Consumer Sciences, or Industrial Technology), 1 of Physical Education, 0.5 of health, and 1 Personal Finance course, combined with 7.5 elective credits.

Activities and clubs

[edit]
Webster Groves High School marching band at the 2012 Turkey Day game vs Kirkwood at Moss Field.

Webster Groves High School offers over 60 clubs for its students to participate in, covering a wide range of student interests.

Students may organize their own clubs as long as they are accompanied by a faculty sponsor and chartered by the student council.

Sports

[edit]

Webster Groves High School sponsors a number of different sports, including football (men's), field hockey, soccer (men's and women's), basketball (men's and women's), baseball (men's), softball (women's), golf (men's and women's), track and field (men's and women's), swimming (men's and women's), and lacrosse (women's). Ice hockey and men's lacrosse are non-affiliate sports at the high school.

Students ring the Frisco Bell at the 2013 Turkey Day game.

The Turkey Day football game is an annual game held on Thanksgiving Day between Webster Groves High School and its longtime rival, Kirkwood High School. The rivalry between the two schools is the oldest current Thanksgiving Day rivalry west of the Mississippi River. The location of the game alternates each year between Webster’s Moss Field and Kirkwood’s Lyon’s Memorial field. A number of festivities surround the game, including a shared dance and a separate bonfire and pep rally at each school. It began in 1907 and is the longest running classic west of the Mississippi. The winner of each year's game is presented with the Frisco Bell, a bell from a train donated by the Frisco Railroad line. The losers used to get the Little Brown Jug, however it has not been seen in a while. 2007 was the 100th year of this storied series between the two schools, and the game had attendance exceeding 12,000 fans.

State championship wins

[edit]
  • 1931: Boys Track
  • 1947: Boys Golf
  • 1951: Boys Golf
  • 1954: Boys Golf
  • 1954: Football
  • 1967: Boys Swimming
  • 1968: Boys Swimming
  • 1970: Boys Swimming
  • 1979: Football
  • 1983: Girls Golf
  • 1984: Girls Golf
  • 1988: Football
  • 1996: Boys Basketball
  • 2002: Football
  • 2008: Boys Basketball; Ranked 18th in the Nation
  • 2009: Football; Ranked 7th in the Midwest/Midlands Region
  • 2014: Boys Soccer; first ever in school history
  • 2015: Boys Soccer; first public school to win twice in a row
  • 2017: Boys Basketball
  • 2017: Girls Soccer; first ever in school history
  • 2018: Boys Basketball
  • 2020: Softball
  • 2022: Boys Basketball
  • 2022: Boys Golf
  • 2022: Boys Soccer

Media references

[edit]

In 1966 CBS produced an award winning documentary called 16 In Webster Groves, which was about the lives of students in Webster Groves. In 1996 then-President Bill Clinton came to the school to recognize the Webster Groves School District’s work towards preventing drugs and violence among its students. In 1999 Time magazine devoted a cover story to a week at Webster Groves High School.

Faculty

[edit]
  • Average professional experience: 15.3 years.
  • Percentage of teachers with advanced degrees: 79.4%.

School information

[edit]
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 1,378
  • Senior class of 2018: 339
  • Student/teacher Ratio: 19:1
  • Rate of Attendance: 93.6%
  • Graduation Rate: 97.9%
  • 2008 Composite ACT Score: 23.4
  • 2014 National Merit Semifinalist Students: 4
  • 2014 National Merit Commended Students: 4
  • Courses offering College Credit: 23

Webster Groves High School is a closed campus for grades 9-10. Juniors and Seniors are given the privilege to leave campus during their lunch hour, with Juniors being given said privilege more recently.

[17]

Notable alumni

[edit]

References

[edit]

Citations

  1. ^ "About WGHS / Administrative Contacts". mo02202299.schoolwires.net. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "WEBSTER GROVES HIGH". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  3. ^ Missouri School Directory 2012, p. 862.
  4. ^ "The Ridge at the Rock Hill Road" (PDF). historicwebster.org.
  5. ^ "School History / WGHS History". www.webster.k12.mo.us. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  6. ^ "Elementary Schools". WGHS1963. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  7. ^ a b Smith, Todd (3 October 2007). "Book documents 100-year history of high school". St. Louis Post Dispatch. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  8. ^ Harris, Marty (2006-11-17). "100 Years Of WGHS". WKTimes LLC. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  9. ^ a b "St Louis County Historic Aerials". 1937.
  10. ^ "WGHS History". WGHS1963. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  11. ^ Harris, Marty (17 November 2006). "100 Years Of WGHS". Webster-Kirkwood Times. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  12. ^ Harris, Marty (13 December 2002). "Pat Voss To Retire As WG High Principal". Webster-Kirkwood Times. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  13. ^ Frese, Rick (26 October 2001). "Board Briefed On WGHS Anthrax Scare". Webster-Kirkwood Times. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  14. ^ Monahan, James (7 March 2003). "Jon Clark Named Principal Of Webster High". Webster-Kirkwood Times. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  15. ^ "St. Louis Construction and Housing News". www.slfp.com. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
  16. ^ "An update on Moss Field". www.webster.k12.mo.us. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  17. ^ "| Jstor".
  18. ^ "Ann J. Johanson, MD". UVA Medical Alumni Association. February 17, 2020.
  19. ^ Peterson, Deb (May 4, 2011). "Top fashion model Karlie Kloss goes to the Webster Groves High School prom". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Kevin Mowbray. Retrieved September 30, 2012.

Sources

[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Webster_Groves_High_School&oldid=1243510056"