Williamston Community Schools
| Williamston Community Schools | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| 418 Highland Street, Williamston, MI 48895 | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Motto | A Great Place to Learn |
| Superintendent | Narda K. Murphy |
| Principal | Jeffrey Thoenes, High School; Scott Martin, Middle School |
| Color(s) | Green and White |
| Mascot | Hornets |
| Information | (517) 655-4361 |
| Website | http://gowcs.net/education/district/district.php?sectionid=1 |
Williamston Community Schools is the public school district for the City of Williamston, Michigan. The district covers 75 square miles (190 km2) in parts of Williamstown, Locke, Leroy, Wheatfield, Alaiedon, and Meridian townships.
Williamston High School
The current building was built in 1990 by the Granger Construction Company of Lansing, Michigan. It recently underwent major renovations, which concluded just after the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year. The renovations were hoped to alleviate hallway crowding brought on by a rapidly growing student population. The renovations included a state-of-the art Media Center, Gymnasium, Scientific Laboratories and Math Classrooms as well as replacing outdated fixtures such as flooring and other aesthetic alterations.
The current Principal is Dr. Jeff Thoenes (Dr. T). He was hired by Williamston Community Schools in the 2010-2011 school year, replacing previous Principal Randall Bowles.
Athletics
Williamston High School is a Michigan High School Athletic Association member school. Since the 2003 dissolution of the Ingham County League, it has been a member of the Capital Area Activities Conference.
WHS fields varsity football, golf, cross country, tennis, cheer, soccer, swimming, wrestling, basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball, and track & field teams and maintains club equestrian and hockey teams as well.
These teams are generally competitive in the area, and often across the state. The high school's wrestling team won the Division III state championship in 1999. The track and cross country teams are quite successful, especially in recent years. Coached by 2005 Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Paul "Coach" Nilsson, the boys track team won the state championship in 2001, 2003, 2006, and 2008 and the boys cross country team won 7 consecutive regional titles between 1999–2005, en route to state championships in 2000, 2005, and 2007, and runner-up trophies in 2002, 2003, and 2006. Additionally, the boys team currently carries the distinction of MichTrack.org's "Best Division 3 Cross Country Team of the Decade."
Other MHSAA state championships include 1940 boys basketball, 1976 girls track, and 1980 girls cross country. The Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association has awarded state championships to the boys track squad in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2007 and to the girls track squad in 2003, 2006, and 2007.
Extra-Curricular activities
Quizbowl
In 2006, the high school's quizbowl team, coached by Mike Barnes, became Class B state champions after defeating Corunna. In Fall of 2008, Jonny Ellis (English and Special Education Teacher) and Lorrie Doyle took over as co-advisors of the Quiz Bowl team.
Business Professionals of America
Williamston High School consistently competes very well at Business Professionals of America (BPA) competitions. The Faculty advisors for BPA are Deb Lynch and Dana Plaxton, both of whom are in the computer and business department at Williamston High School.
Model United Nations
Williamston High School's Model United Nations club is widely considered as one of the best in the State of Michigan, performing better than any other Public School in the State. The Club's Faculty Advisors are Anne Wade of the Social Studies Department and Megan O'Rourke, also of the Social Studies department. The Club participates in 3-6 Conferences a year: Great Lakes Invitational Model United Nations Conference (GLIMUN), Chicago International Model United Nations (CIMUN) Michigan State University Model United Nations (MSUMUN), Hope College Model United Nations and the National High School Model United Nations Conference in New York City, New York.
Schools
- Williamston Discovery Elementary (Pre K - 2nd grade)
- Williamston Explorer Elementary (3rd - 5th)
- Williamston Middle School (6th - 8th)
- Williamston High School (9th - 12th)