Waukee High School

Waukee High School
Location
555 SE University Avenue
Waukee, IA 50263
Information
Type Public high school
School district Waukee Community Schools
Superintendent Dave Wilkerson
Principal Cary Justmann
Faculty 112[1]
Enrollment 1,350 (as of 2012-13)[2]
Student to teacher ratio 13.1[3]
Color(s) Purple and Gold          
Athletics conference Central Iowa Metro League
Nickname Warriors
Rival Valley High School Dowling Catholic
Information 515-987-5163
Website Waukee High

Waukee High School (also known as Waukee Senior High School) is a three-year public high school in Waukee, Iowa, United States. The school hosts grades 10-12. It is run by the Waukee Community School District. Freshmen attend one of two separate 8/9 schools, Prairieview or Timberline.

As of the 2012-13 school year, the school has an enrollment of 1,350 students and 112 faculties with a 13:1 student-teacher ratio.[4]

History

The high school first opened its doors in 1997.[5] Since then it has renovated and expanded in 2000, 2003, 2005, and 2012.[6] The latest renovation included "an additional 24 classrooms (including three new computer labs, a new media center, and three new science rooms), renovated classrooms, Waukee Fieldhouse, and additional locker rooms." The new fieldhouse has created some controversy because of its considerable cost (nearly $15 million).[7] The gym's large video screen features such amenities as instant replay and player introduction clips.

In the 2013-14 School Year students decided to take a step of leadership for the student section, little did they know they would be starting a Waukee tradition. That year a group of Seniors and Juniors became the Bananas who would cheer on the football team, then came the Hot Dogs(2014-15), the TVCOS(2015-16), and the 'KEENUTS(2016-17).

Enrollment

During the 2012-2013 school year, there were 1,350 students enrolled at the high school. This number has grown exponentially over the years, as Waukee is the fastest growing school district in Iowa. [8]

During the 2010-2011 school year, 90% of enrolled students were white (state average was 81%). [9]

Academics

Waukee High School uses a block-scheduling system which has students spending their day in just four classes per day for 90 minutes each. In the average high school class system (eight classes per day), students spend a whole year enrolled in their core classes with semester-long electives. Waukee's block-scheduling keeps students in their core classes for a semester with quarter-long electives. Research has shown that this system creates better attendance rates and more Honor Roll students than traditional class scheduling. [10]

The school has traditionally boasted good grades and test scores. In 2012, the school tested at a 92% proficiency rate for math (state average 83%) and a 94% proficiency rate for reading (state average 84%).[11] The school received the highest possible rating on greatschool.org. The class of 2011 held an ACT composite score average of 23.5 (state average was 22.3).[12]

Activities

Athletics

Since the 2006-2007 school year, Waukee High School [13]) has been competing in the CIML (Central Iowa Metro League).[14] In 1997, Waukee was one of the smallest schools in the state, competing at 1A and 2A levels (1A to 5A in order of increasing school size). The school spent several years at the 3A level and has since subsequently risen to 4A and now 5A (the largest class in the state of Iowa). Waukee initially joined the CIML in the Iowa conference; however, since Ankeny has split into two high schools, the league is now moving to a four-conference format for the 2013-2014 seasons.[15]

The school's Athletic Director is Jim Duea.

Since the school has risen to the highest level of competition so quickly, it has led to varying levels of success among all the sports. This inconsistent trend has since solidified into a tradition of talented and hard-working athletes throughout all the sports.

The 33 Athletic Achievement Award This award is to honor athletes who have lettered in a varsity sport for at least three years in at least three sports. Waukee High School aims to not only recognize athletes with significant talent and skill, but those athletes who have committed themselves to multiple sports.

Amy Nestingen (2012) Basketball, Volleyball, Track and Field

Jake Knott (2009) Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track and Field

Waukee's Athletic Programs and Achievements:

Fall Sports

Football: 2005 3A State QF[16]

Volleyball:

Boys' Cross-Country: 4A State Team Qualifier (2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006)

Girls' Cross-Country: 4A State Team Qualifier (2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005)

Boys' Golf: Boys Golf most recently won the 2014 state championship (the teams third in four years) led by trend setters Aaron Denuci (Sr), Parker Howe (Sr), Connor Littlefield (Sr), Tripp Kinney (Jr), Tom McLaughlin (Jr), and Andrew O'Brien (Soph). In 2015 they are looking to go back to back under the direction of Head Coach John Kotz and Assistant Coach Justin Ohl.

Girls' Swimming and Diving: 2011 was the teamt's inaugural season. Prior to 2011, the team members were competing on the combined Johnston-Urbandale-Waukee team; however, Waukee created its own team after the construction of a new YMCA in Waukee. Maddie Gehrke and Jenny Brown have led the emerging team with several podium finishes each.

2012 50-Yard Free State Champion (Maddie Gehrke)[17]

The Diving Team has also succeeded in qualifying two girls for the State Meet: Limay Vong and Jillian Loos.

Winter Sports

Boys' Basketball: 4A State Tournament Appearance (2008, 2011, 2012)[18]

Girls' Basketball: 4A State Tournament Appearances (2008-2012); two Semi-Final Games

Bowling: The boys bowling team most recently made the state tournament in 2016 finishing 7th. The team also made state in 2014 when Jonah Starmer (Class of 2016) was the state individual champion. Waukee and the states first sophomore ever to the Individual title. The Boys Coach is Steve Bossenberger and the girls Coach is Dave Roberts

Wrestling:

Boys' Swimming: 2011 was the team's inaugural season. Prior to 2011 they were compteting on the combined Johnston-Urbandale-Waukeee team, however Waukee created its own team after the construction of a new YMCA in Waukee. Multiple Podium finishes at State by Jordan Reinard and Jack Scafuri. [19]

Spring Sports

Boys' Track and Field:

Girls' Track and Field: The team experienced much success in recent years with several star runners and record-holding relays. In total, they have three State Champion runners (Gnade/800m x2, Westrum/200m, Vojic/200m), 14 State Champion relay teams, and two State Champion field event winners (Bramble/Discus, Rouw/High Jump). [20]

2013 4A State Championship Team; 2012 4A State Championship Team; 2009 4A State championship Team

Boys' Soccer:

Girls' Soccer: 2011 2A State Runner-up

Boys' Tennis:

Girls' Tennis:

Girls' Golf: 2013 5A State Championship Team and Individual (Kelsey Shay); 2012 4A State Championship Team and Individual (Payton Minear)

Girls' Lacrosse: Their inaugural season was 2010. They generally compete in five tournaments a year with one at home. The tournaments are located in Omaha, Kansas City, and multiple places in Missouri. The team is associated with the YMCA, which sponsors the tournaments. Combined with some students from Valley High School, this Girls' Lacrosse Team was the first high-school-age team in Iowa.

Summer Sports

Baseball: 2003 3A State Runner-up[21]

Softball: 2015 5A State Champions; 2009 4A State Runner-up; 2000 2A State Champions; 1999 2A State Champions; 1998 2A State 3rd place finish

Cheerleading: Cheer Team State titles (2012); Stunt Team State titles (2012)

Dance Team: Pom State titles (2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008); Hip Hop State titles (2013, 2012)

Vocal Music

Waukee has two show choirs: Spirit and Millennium. Under the direction of Matt Huth until 2015, Millennium experienced remarkable success. From 2012 to 2015, they received the award for Best Vocals at every competition in which they performed - a total of 16. Additionally, they were crowned Grand Champion at 13 of the 16 competitions (they were awarded First Runner-Up at the other three), going entirely undefeated in both 2013 and 2014. At present, Millennium is choreographed by Jarad Voss and directed by Stephen Brandt, director of choral activities. Spirit, a highly competitive mixed JV ensemble, is choreographed by Kevin Chase and directed by Kathryn Mosiman.

Waukee's premier curricular ensemble, "A Cappella" has also achieved great renown. Under the leadership of Ryan Beeken, they were selected for performance at the 2005 National and 2010 Regional Conventions of the American Choral Directors Association. In 2015, they received the same honor, performing at the National ACDA Convention in Salt Lake City, this time under the direction of Amy Hall.

2015 marked the departure of three vocal music directors from Waukee: Amy Hall, who is pursuing doctoral studies at Michigan State University; Ben Walters, who accepted a position at neighboring Ankeny High School; and Matt Huth, who elected to give up his direction of Millennium to pursue other interests. Mr. Huth remains a vocal music teacher in the district and is an active show choir adjudicator and clinician.

Expansion/Growth

By itself, the town of Waukee is not very large. Waukee's school district, however, is immense in comparison, encompassing the suburbs as far east as West Des Moines and as far west as the edge of Adel. Because the district extends into West Des Moines, the district has been able to take advantage of enormous residential growth surrounding the Jordan Creek Town Center. This growth has led the district to open a new school each year for six years straight.

Waukee High School has had to expand four times to accommodate the ever-growing student population. Due to projected growth, a new high school will open in the fall of 2021.

To see the school's enrollment data, including projected growth, visit here.

Notable Graduates

References

  1. ↑ https://www.waukee.k12.ia.us/school/waukee-high-school/staff/
  2. ↑ https://www.waukee.k12.ia.us/school/waukee-high-school/
  3. ↑ https://www.waukee.k12.ia.us/school/waukee-high-school/
  4. ↑ https://www.waukee.k12.ia.us/school/waukee-high-school/
  5. ↑ https://www.waukee.k12.ia.us/school/waukee-high-school/
  6. ↑ https://www.waukee.k12.ia.us/school/waukee-high-school/
  7. ↑ http://www.usatodayhss.com/desmoinesregister/article/high-school-insider-waukees-new-fieldhouse-rivals-some-college-venues--2012312010065
  8. ↑ https://www.waukee.k12.ia.us/school/waukee-high-school/
  9. ↑ http://www.greatschools.org/iowa/waukee/1444-Waukee-Senior-High-School/?tab=demographics#header
  10. ↑ http://coe.winthrop.edu/vawterd/block/research/research.html
  11. ↑ http://www.greatschools.org/iowa/waukee/1444-Waukee-Senior-High-School/#!/test-scores
  12. ↑ https://www.waukee.k12.ia.us/school/waukee-high-school/academic-achievements/
  13. ↑ http://www.cimlcentral.org/g5-bin/client.cgi?G5genie=79&school_id=8
  14. ↑ http://www.cimlcentral.org/g5-bin/client.cgi?G5genie=79
  15. ↑ ciml waukee history
  16. ↑ http://www.iahsaa.org/05_3A_2RDPLOFF.html
  17. ↑ http://www.ighsau.org/IGHSAUwebsite/swimming.htm
  18. ↑ http://www.iahsaa.org/basketball/index.html
  19. ↑ http://www.iahsaa.org/swimming/index.html
  20. ↑ http://www.ighsau.org/track/trackrecordbook.pdf
  21. ↑ http://www.iahsaa.org/baseball/2003.html

22. I go there.

Coordinates: 41°36′03″N 93°50′36″W / 41.600822°N 93.8432808°W / 41.600822; -93.8432808

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