Address: 409 Friendway Rd., Greensboro, NC 27410
Phone: (336) 316-5800
Website: Western Guilford High School
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/westernguilfordhighschoolptso/
On Twitter: twitter.com/wghsstuco?lang=en
The Facility: Growing and Improving
Western Guilford High School (mascot: the Hornet) is fed primarily by Guilford Middle School and Kernodle Middle School, serving a large section of west and northwest Greensboro. With more than 1200 students, Western is one of the larger high schools in the region, and it’s literally bursting at the seams. Fortunately, the school has been the recipient of financing from school construction bond initiative, which is allowing construction of a large new gym facility, which will enable renovation of the existing gym into a cafeteria/multipurpose room, along with a variety of other remodeling and improvement efforts.
The Students: Diverse and Engaged
Like many schools in the Southeast, Western is diverse, with approximately 32.6% White, 41.7% African American, 16.5% Hispanic, and 3.5% Asian students. While in the past, Western struggled with a poor reputation, over the past 5-10 years, it has experienced a renaissance, in part due to its AP Capstone Academy, global logistics, and honors genetics programs. Whether destined for top public or private colleges or careers in trade, students at Western are well prepared for the future. School events are typically well attended and energetic, whether athletic games or after-school volunteer projects. Western has an active PTSO, which participates enthusiastically in a variety of initiatives that enhance student and staff experience at the school.
The Administration: Energetic and Ambitious
Under current principal Dr. Kashubara, the school has articulated its commitments to collaboration, high expectations of students and staff, and instructional leadership. Over the past five years, the school has been recognized for:
- Guilford County Schools Most Improved High School
- North Carolina School of Distinction (first time in school history)
- Highest End-of-Course ABC Proficiency
- Gold School Improvement Award, 1 of only 5 awarded by High Schools that Work
- First College Board AP Capstone Program in NC
- Increased Number of AP Scholar Recognitions 5 years in a row
- Exceeded Expected Growth on NC EOC Exams 2 of the last 3 school years
The AP Capstone Program: A Feather in Western’s Cap
Western Guilford was the first AP Capstone program in North Carolina, and one of only 114 schools nationally to be accepted in 2014. AP Capstone is “an innovative program that allows students to engage in rigorous college-level study of the critical skills necessary for success in college.” In order to earn an AP Capstone diploma, students will take a two-course sequence of AP Seminar and AP Research, plus at least four AP classes. Western currently offers at least 21 AP courses, from AP Calculus and Physics to AP Art History and Music Theory. For more information, see the College Board's overview AP Capstone.
AP Capstone students also:
- Have access to UNCG’s library for research and faculty for guidance.
- Attend two of Guilford College’s Bryan Lecture Series lectures (past speakers include Ron Howard, Bill Bryson, Robert Reich, Margaret Atwood, Anderson Cooper, Atul Gawande, Malcolm Gladwell, and others)
- Earn Service Learning Awards (for 100 hours) or Service Learning Diplomas (for 250 hours) for volunteering as tutors at local feeder schools and sponsored service learning projects such as Relay for Life, Camp Weaver, Out of the Garden Project, and Back Pack Beginnings.
Other Notable Programs: Logistics and Genetics
Whether a student is interested in skilled trade work or a four-year college diploma, the Global Logistics program at Western is an impressive pathway forward. The only program of its type in the state, and one of only 8 in the US, this program helps students get hands-on experience with technology and procedures of a modern warehouse, while understanding concepts behind how businesses manage their logistics operations. The program offers:
- Internships and apprenticeships
- Partnerships with GTCC and UNCG
- Forklift simulator and forklift driver training
- Credit for college hours
Interestingly, some students are choosing to integrate the Global Logistics program with their AP Capstone studies, tying together Career and Technology Education (CTE) with the AP program.
Western’s Honors Genetics course is another impressive avenue: This one for students with interest in careers in biogenetics. The school is the only one in Guilford County to offer genetics at this level, giving students impressive experience preparing them for undergraduate research in DNA sequencing, genetic counseling, medical ethics, and other fields.
Athletics and Clubs at Western Guilford High
Athletics: Football, baseball and softball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball, cheerleading, and wrestling.
Clubs: Athletic Trainers, BETA Club, Drama, Future Teachers of America, GENTS, Architecture and Engineering, Interact, International Spanish Honor Society, Key Club, National Art Honor Society, National French Honor Society, African Dance and Drum Ensemble, National Honor Society, Women in STEM Everywhere, Physics, Student Council, Tri-M Honor Music Society, Quiz Bowl, and others.
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