Washington County High School (Alabama)

Washington County High School, or WCHS, is a 2A high school in Chatom, Alabama. The campus is also the site of Chatom Middle School, which is grades 5-8. It is the largest school in Washington County, with 184 students enrolled in the high school as of 2018. The mascot is a bulldog, Butch. Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, dual enrollment classes were introduced to Juniors and Seniors in the high school. School colors are maroon and gold. The marching band is known as "The Pride of the Deep South". The football program at Washington County High School has peaked during the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 seasons with two consecutive appearances in the AHSAA Super 6 against the Tanner Rattlers. Both times WCHS returned as state runners-up.[3]

Washington County High School
Washington County High School campus in Chatom, Alabama.
Address
1 School Street central Washington County Southwest Alabama Chatom , Alabama 36518 United States
Information
School type	Public High School
Established	1915
School board	Washington County Board of Education
School district	Washington County School District
Superintendent	Lisa Connell
Principal	Rodney Smith
Teaching staff	51.80 (FTE)[1]
Grades	5-12
Gender	Co-Ed
Age range	10-19
Number of students	514 (2019-2020)[2]
Average class size	~19
Student to teacher ratio	16.37[1]
Hours in school day	10
Classrooms	30
Campus type	open campus
Color(s)	Maroon and Gold
Song	Alma Mater
Fight song	"Hail WCHS"
Athletics conference	AHSAA, Class 2A
Sports	Baseball, Basketball, Football, Softball, Volleyball, Golf, Track, Soccer
Mascot	Bulldog
Team name	Bulldogs, Lady Dawgs
Rival	Millry High School
Publication	Herff Jones
Newspaper	The Bulldog
Yearbook	"The Washtonian"
Communities served	Hobson,Millry, Howardtown, Yarbo, Tibbie, Seaboard, Laton Hill, Bigbee, Springhill, Rutan
Website	https://www.wcbek12.org/domain/40

Sports

Football

2-time 2A State Runner-Up (2012 & 2013).

Varsity and JV programs for students grades 7-12.

Volleyball

State Finalist (2016) Substate finalist (2009) and 2nd Round Regional finalist (2015)(2019)

Varsity and JV teams for girls grades 7-12.

Women's Basketball

State tournament semi-finalist (1988, 2007)

Regional Finals (2007 & 2010)

Junior High, JV and Varsity teams for girls grades 7-12.

Men's Basketball

Junior High, JV and Varsity teams for boys grades 7-12.

Softball

Regional Tournament (2015-2017)

JV and Varsity teams for girls grades 7-12.

Baseball

3A State Runner-Up (2007)

JV and Varsity teams for boys grades 7-12.

Golf

Golf team for students grades 7-12

Track and Field (Outdoor)

Track team that regularly qualifies for the state meet for students grades 8-12.

Soccer(Co-ed)

Soccer began their first season in 2018

Clubs and Organizations

Cheerleaders

Varsity, grades 9-12, and JV, grades 7-8, cheer-leading squads as well as the school mascot 'Butch.'

Marching Band

Known as "The Pride of the Deep South", this is a Best in Class (2015-2019) award-winning, a superior-rated band composed of students in grades 7-12. It is made up of wind instruments, percussion, and auxiliaries.

In 2018, they received all 1's in Little Big Horn in Opp, Alabama. They also won Best in Class in Percussion and Dance Line.

In 2019, the band received all 1's in Little Big Horn in Opp, Alabama. The Band won Best in Class in Drum Major, Dance Line, Percussion, Color Guard, and Overall Band. This is their fifth consecutive year receiving all 1's.

In 2020, the band participated in an online marching competition hosted by J.U. Blacksher High School. They received 1's in everything except Color Guard. The band won Best in Class Overall Band, Percussion, and Danceline.

Gold Duster Dance Team

Two-time Alabama Dance Champions (2000, 2001)

Award-winning dance team that is made up of young ladies in grades 8-12.

Colorguard

Award-winning flag corp composed of girls in grades 7-12.

Maroon Magic Dance Team

JV dance team for girls grades 5-7.

Student Council

Student government positions for grades 10-12, whose main objective every year is to create a memorable homecoming.

National Honor Society

The National Honor Society is an organization for Seniors who are selected by their superior academic status and panel evaluation.

Future Farmers of America (FFA)

The Future Farmers of America is an organization that competes at the district and state level made up of high school students.

Choir

Singers who perform at band concerts and the Veteran's Day program.

The Washtonian Yearbook Staff

Group of high school students who create the yearbook every year.

National Junior Honor Society

The National Junior Honor Society is an organization for 8th graders who are selected by their superior academic status.

Drama Club

Theater group for middle school students who put on one play every year.

Betty Dees retired in 2017 and the Drama Club has not since put on a play.

Scholars Bowl Team

In 2018 the high school received a Scholars Bowl Team. They go to a Scholars Bowl tournament every at Coastal Alabama Community College Monroeville

Academics

In 2012 WCHS began a new, in house, dual enrollment system for juniors and seniors who wished to take part in it. Partnering with the University of West Alabama, these students were able to receive high school and college credits in classes such as English 101 and 102, Speech 101 and then eventually American literature classes. WCHS became the first school in its school system to offer such a program. This dual enrollment program still exists today as WCHS has continued to work with UWA and Bishop State Community College.

Notable alumni

• Rusty Jackson, former NFL punter[4]

References

1. "Washington County High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
2. "Washington County High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
3. http://washington.al.wch.schoolinsites.com/?PageName=%27FineArtPage%27&FineArtID=%273755%27
4. http://www.ahsfhs.org/teams2/NFL.asp?Team=Washington%20County