| Olympia High School | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1907 |
| Type | Public secondary |
| Principal | Matthew Grant |
| Students | 1850 |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Location | 1302 North St., Olympia, Washington,, USA |
| District | Olympia School District 111 |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Colors | Blue and White
|
| Mascot | "Pepper" the Bear |
| Newspaper | The Olympus |
| Website | [1] |
Olympia High School (OHS), commonly referred to as Oly, is a public high school in the southeast side of Olympia, Washington along its border with Tumwater. Being the first of two comprehensive high schools in the Olympia School District, it is one of the oldest public schools in the state of Washington. The school, along with Tumwater High School, resulted from a split (effective 1961) of William Winlock Miller High, Olympia's first high school. That school had opened in 1907 on land donated by the wife of William Winlock Miller on the grounds immediately east of the sunken gardens in the Washington State Capitol Campus. It began as an extension of the elementary schools in Olympia.
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Origins
When fire destroyed the building in 1918, a new W.W. Miller High School was built in 1919 between 12th and 13th Streets on Capitol Way because the state had purchased the land near the sunken garden to increase the Capitol grounds. An auditorium, gymnasium, and more classrooms were added to that building in 1926; however, any further expansion on this site was impossible. As the school's needs increased, forty acres between Carlyon Avenue and North Street were purchased. After many community discussions and public meetings, the new school opened on the present grounds in 1961. Olympia High remained open in its 1961 form until 1996 when a full renovation began, completed in the summer of 2000. Having the capacity to serve approximately 2,000 students through many challenging programs, many families in Thurston County, Washington choose to send their kids to Olympia High School instead of sending to their assigned school.
Key Information
- 86% scored 3, 4, or 5 on AP tests
- Drop out rate: 1.47%
- Graduation Rate: 93.3%
- SAT Score Average: verbal = 560, Math = 556
- 58 Vocational Class Offerings
- Cooperative agreement with New Market Vocational Skills Center
- Alternative programs provided in the areas of: Direct Instruction in Reading and Math, Academic Contractual Learning, and Social Affective Block for students with adjustment needs.
Belief Statements
- All students are capable of learning.
- Cultural and social diversity; feelings and beliefs of others will be respected.
- All students will become active, responsible participants in their education.
- Students’ self-esteem will be enhanced through hard work and achievement.
- Education is a collaborative effort involving staff, students, parents/guardians, and the community.
- Education will take place in a safe and caring environment.
- Education takes place in a challenging atmosphere of high expectations leading to high achievement.
- Continuity of curriculum from elementary school through high school best serves students.
- Education will be a primary responsibility and investment of society.
- Education will allow for differing learning abilities and styles as well as assessment measures.
- Staff members are valued and should be involved in professional growth and development activities throughout their careers.
Symbols
Mission statement
We strive to have our graduates become:
- Competent, self-directed, life-long learners
- Adaptable, critical thinkers
- Globally responsible citizens
- Mentally and physically healthy
- Aesthetically appreciative and creative
- Technologically literate
- Multiculturally aware
- Environmentally responsible
FINAO
In 2007, the school adopted the motto "FINAO", for which nearly 1000 buttons were given to the students, with FINAO proudly displayed on them. FINAO stands for: Failure Is Not An Option
Notable alumni
- Eric Alexander, '86, Jazz musician
- Gerry L. Alexander, '54, Chief Justice, Washington State Supreme Court
- Bruce P. Crandall, '51, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army (Ret.) (Helicopter pilot, call sign "Snake", in movie We Were Soldiers)
- Bill Moos, '68, Athletic Director, University of Oregon
- Irene Stewart, '75, Seattle School Board Member
- Daniella Deutscher, '94, Actress
- Jeff Kingsbury, '78, Actor-Director
- Courtney Love, '82 Musician and actress
