Western High School (Maryland)

Western High School is the oldest public all-girls high school still operating in the United States. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, it is part of the Baltimore City Public Schools. This special school has a long history and has been recognized for its excellence. In 2009, it was named a "National Blue Ribbon School" of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. Two years later, in 2012, it received a "Silver Medal High School" award from U.S. News & World Report, showing how much it is valued for its great work in education.

History

The Western Female High School started in 1844 as one of two schools for young women in Baltimore. It opened in a small building with just one teacher and thirty-six students. For many years, girls in Baltimore could not go to school beyond basic levels, but Western High changed that.

Over time, the school moved several times. In 1967, it found its current home, sharing a large modern campus with another school. For most of its history, Western has been a special program where students must apply to join. It has been a leader in helping girls get a good education.

Academics

Western High School offers three main academic programs: the "Accelerated College Preparatory" program, the "College Preparatory" program, and the "Teacher Academy". The most challenging program is the "Accelerated College Preparatory" program, also called "The 'A' Course". This program was started in 1933 by Western High School and Goucher College. In this program, students can complete four years of high school work by the end of their eleventh grade. During their twelfth grade, they can take Advanced Placement or college-level courses. Students who finish "The 'A' Course" may start college with advanced standing. This program lets students take honors courses in subjects they are good at.

Western High School also has a "Teacher Academy" that offers classes to prepare students for careers in education. The school is known for its championship athletic teams and talented performing arts students. It also has more than 40 clubs, organizations, and service groups. In 2012, U.S. News & World Report ranked Western High School 912th in the country and 44th in Maryland as a "Silver Medal High School".

Athletics

Western High School has many sports teams called the Doves. They play soccer, cross-country, badminton, swimming, lacrosse, dance, tennis, volleyball, basketball, softball, and track and field.

The girls' basketball team won the Maryland public secondary school championships in 1994 and 1995. They also did very well in many other years. The track and field team has won many city, regional, and state championships, including being the state champions in 2009.

Activities

Traditions

Western High School has many special traditions that make each school year memorable. One tradition is the Big Sister, Little Sister Program, where older students welcome new freshmen as their "little sisters."

There are also fun events like Freshman Day, where new students enjoy an outdoor picnic, and Senior Inaugural, where new seniors are welcomed into the school. Each class also has its own special colors that they wear on certain days.

Graduation

Western High School's graduation happens on a Saturday in even years and on a Sunday in odd years, usually in June. This is because the school shares its sports field with another school nearby. During the graduation ceremony, the girls wear long white dresses and carry red roses. It is also a tradition to release white doves, which is the school's mascot.

Notable alumnae

Western High School has many successful graduates who have achieved great things in different fields. Some well-known alumnae include Rosalie Silber Abrams, a Maryland politician, and Trazana Beverley, an actress who won a Tony Award in 1977. Other notable graduates are Farai Chideya, an author and journalist, and Marilyn Crispell, a pianist and composer. The school also educated Sarah T. Hughes, the judge who helped swear in President Lyndon B. Johnson after President John F. Kennedy's assassination, and Nancy Grace Roman, an astronomer who worked at NASA. Many other accomplished people, such as authors, artists, and public servants, graduated from Western High School.

Notable instructors

Two well-known teachers worked at Western High School. Breezy Bishop coached the girls' basketball team for 24 years and was honored by being placed in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000. Another teacher, Catherine Anne Cesnik, was a Catholic religious sister who lived from 1942 until 1969.

Principals

One of the leaders of Western High School was David E. Weglein. He was appointed in 1906 and served until 1950.