Wilbert Tucker Woodson High School

W. T. Woodson High School
Address
W. T. Woodson High School
W. T. Woodson High School
W. T. Woodson High School
9525 Main Street
Fairfax, Virginia 22031
United States
Coordinates 38°50′25″N 77°16′31″W / 38.84028°N 77.27528°W / 38.84028; -77.27528Coordinates: 38°50′25″N 77°16′31″W / 38.84028°N 77.27528°W / 38.84028; -77.27528
Information
School type Public, high school
Founded 1962
School district Fairfax County Public Schools
Principal Carlyn Floyd
Staff 264
Grades 9–12
Enrollment 2,425 (2016)
Campus Suburban
Color(s) Navy blue, red and white
Athletics conference Patriot District
Northern Region
Nickname Cavaliers
Feeder schools Frost Middle School
Website www.fcps.edu/woodsonhs

Wilbert Tucker Woodson High School, commonly known as W.T. Woodson High School or simply Woodson, is a high school located in Fairfax County, Virginia, in the east end of the city of Fairfax, opposite the shopping center on Main Street.

The school opened in 1962 and was once the largest school in the state. It is named for W. T. Woodson, who served as Fairfax County School Superintendent from 1929 to 1961.[1] As of 2016, the student population was roughly 2,400. Woodson has the largest campus in Fairfax County in size of area, and also houses Woodson Adult High School, a separate education facility run by FCPS that allows adults to earn their GEDs and HS diplomas. It was ranked #74 on Newsweek's Top 1000 U.S. High Schools in 2008.

Following the retirement of Jeff Yost, Dan Meier, the former principal of Robinson Secondary School, took over as interim principal for most of the 2014–2015 school year.[2] The current principal as of October, 2017 is Dr. Carlyn Floyd.

Demographics

For the 2016-2017 school year, Woodson High School's student body was 53.1% White non-Hispanic, 23.95% Asian, 11.7% Hispanic, 5.12% Black, and 6.12% "Other."[3]

Principals

  • Emory Chelsey[4] 1962–1965
  • Robert Phipps[5] 1965–1968
  • William P. Ladson[6] 1968–1972
  • Robert Phipps[4] 1972–1981
  • James Wilson[4] 1981–1986
  • Charles E. "Chuck" Billak[4] 1986–1991
  • Gary Miller[4] 1991–1999
  • Robert Elliot[4] 1999–2007
  • Jeff Yost[4] 2007–2014
  • Dan Meier 2014–2015[7] ( interim principal)
  • Scott F. Poole[7] 2015–2017
  • Carlyn Floyd 2017-current

Renovation

Woodson began the process of renovating all of its facilities in 2005 and adding several classrooms. The project was paid for in bonds that were established in 2003 by a voter referendum. The issue of whether to renovate had been debated for several years before the plan was approved. Woodson was one of the oldest schools in Fairfax County Public Schools, as the main facilities (plumbing, heating/cooling, floors, electrical) were still fundamentally the same as they were when the structure was built. The renovations nearly doubled the square footage of the school.

The project was completed in 2009. The renovation consisted of complete renovation to all existing interior spaces, as well as adding to the performing arts and athletic wings, creating a new administration wing with a new front entrance, highlighted by a large tower and the addition of a new science classroom wing and two student drop off areas.

Activities, groups, and programs

Woodson's mascot is a Cavalier and the sports teams play in the AAA Patriot District and the Northern Region. In 1976, the Washington Diplomats of the North American Soccer League used the school's stadium as their home field.

Publications

The Cavalcade is the school newspaper. The Cavalier, Woodson's yearbook, is a AAA publication.[8]

Communities served by Woodson

Several unincorporated areas, such as Mantua,[9] Olde Creek, Canterbury Woods, Truro, Rutherford (http://rutherfordcommunity.com/), Long Branch, and Wakefield Forest are served by Woodson.

Woodson in the news

  • On April 1, 1973, a strong tornado struck Woodson High School and ripped off the roof.[10] It was hit on a Sunday and no injuries were reported among the 65-75 people playing basketball in the school gymnasium.[11] The students did a split shift with Oakton High School to finish out the school year.[12] Graduation ceremonies were held on their home football field.
  • A second tornado spawned by the remains of Hurricane David severely damaged the school's stadium on September 5, 1979, causing an estimated $45,000 in damage.[13][14]
  • In 2008 Woodson was ranked the 90th best public high school in America by the U.S. News & World Report, the first time Woodson has made the list.[15]

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ Smith, J. Y. (14 July 1983). "W.T. Woodson, Fairfax Schools Ex-Chief, Dies". Retrieved 2 February 2018 – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  2. ↑ Shapiro, T. Rees (2014-08-18). "Woodson principal announces retirement". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  3. ↑ "Woodson HS". Student Membership Demographics and Supplemental Programs. Fairfax County Public Schools.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "WTW History". www.fcps.edu. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  5. ↑ Peterson, Tim (18 April 2013). "Woodson High Celebrates '50 Years of Excellence'". www.connectionnewspapers.com. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  6. ↑ "William P. Ladson: High School Principal". The Washington Post. 22 April 2010. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
  7. 1 2 Shapiro, T. Rees (2015-03-30). "New principal to take the helm at Woodson High". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  8. ↑ "Yearbook". vhsl.org. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  9. ↑ "Schools." Mantua.
  10. ↑ "Tornadoes Rip Fairfax Apartments, Shops; 32 Hurt". The Washington Post. 2 April 1973. Retrieved 30 October 2015 – via Proquest. (Subscription required (help)).
  11. ↑ "Victims Escape Falling Roofs, Breaking Glass". The Washington Post. 2 April 1973. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Proquest. (Subscription required (help)).
  12. ↑ DuPree, David (12 April 1973). "Tornado Still Keeping Woodson Team in Spin". The Washington Post. Retrieved 30 October 2015 – via Proquest. (Subscription required (help)).
  13. ↑ Harden, Blaine (7 September 1979). "Tornado Rakes Fairfax". The Washington Post. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Proquest. (Subscription required (help)).
  14. ↑ Dougherty, Kerry (20 September 1979). "Woodson Football Team Seeks Home Away From Home: Stadium Repairs Could Cost $45,000". The Washington Post. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Proquest. (Subscription required (help)).
  15. ↑ "Jefferson Is No. 1; Others in Area Make List". The Washington Post. December 6, 2008.
  16. ↑ "The W. T. Woodson High School: 38 Years of History". Retrieved 2009-02-13.
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