Millard West High School

Coordinates: 41°12′03″N 96°11′41″W / 41.2009°N 96.1946°W / 41.2009; -96.1946

Millard West High School is a public high school located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. The school first opened its doors on August 17, 1995. Currently, Millard West High School is the second largest school within the Millard Public Schools district. In 2002, the school was designated as a National Blue Ribbon school of excellence.^[2] The school uses block scheduling, organizing classes in 4 blocks each day changing 4 semesters (or quarters) a year.

In 2005, Millard voters approved the fourth-largest bond project in district history, providing $78 million for the construction of Millard South, renovations to all three high schools, one middle school and one elementary school, and the purchase of new land and technology.^[3] Of that, $6.2 million was appropriated to Millard West for the building of new classrooms and band room additions. These improvements were completed Summer 2007.^[4]

Academics

In addition to its regular diploma, Millard West offers students one optional diploma paths: liberal arts. The liberal arts diploma is more general in scope, whereas the specialty diploma focuses on a particular subject area. Subject areas of choice for the specialty diploma include: fine & performing arts, business, family & consumer science, health occupations, industrial technology and technology. Students can also receive a 'distinguished' diploma by taking additional classes and achieving a higher GPA.^[5]

Millard West offers many Advanced Placement Program (AP) courses. Participating students may choose to take AP exams, or also participate in Millard's dual enrollment program, which gives students concurrent credit at a local university or community college.

Athletics

Millard West's athletic teams have won the following state championships:

State championships

In addition, the dance team won the 2009 Universal Dance Association National Championship (Small Varsity Hip Hop).^[7]

The competitive cheerleading team has also won the Universal Cheerleading Association National Championship title 8 times, including 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014.

Music department

Millard West's music department is split into three main branches: band, choir, and orchestra. Each branch contains multiple ensembles.

Band

The band at Millard West has many sub-divided ensembles. The Wildcat Marching Band competes as a varsity group each fall. There is also a JV marching band. The school's pep band plays at home sporting events. The Wildcat Marching band performs at occasional home football games, and hosts the "Wildcat Classic" competition, in which bands from multiple high schools participate.

The marching bands split further into three concert ensembles. The Concert Band is composed of Junior Varsity Marching Band members. The Symphonic Band consists of approximately 60–80 varsity members of the Wildcat Marching Band. The Wind Ensemble consists of approximately 40–50 Varsity Marching Band members

Choir

The choir at Millard West contains many separate ensembles. The Millard West Show Choirs compete each winter.

There are five concert choirs at Millard West. "Voce" is the Junior Varsity mixed gender choir. "Cantori" is the Varsity Women's Choir. Concert Choir contains approximately 60 varsity mixed gender members. The Competition Choir consists of approximately 40 varsity mixed gender members. The Concert and Competition Choirs combine to form "Singers".

Notable alumni

• Chris Klein - Class of 1997 - film actor (Election, Here on Earth, American Pie, Just Friends)

References

External links

• Green Light newspaper online