West Catholic High School

For the school in Philadelphia, see West Catholic Preparatory High School.

West Catholic High School
Address
Map
1801 Bristol N.W.

Grand Rapids
,
Michigan
49504

United States
Coordinates42°59′47″N 85°42′35″W / 42.99639°N 85.70972°W / 42.99639; -85.70972
Information
School typePrivate Catholic college preparatory school
Religious affiliation(s)Catholic
Patron saint(s)St. John Paul II
Established1962; 62 years ago (1962)
PresidentJill Annable[1]
PrincipalTony Fischer[1]
Teaching staff30.8 (FTE) (2019–20)[2]
Grades9–12
Enrollment471 (2021–22)[2]
Student to teacher ratio15.3 (2021-22)[2]
Campus size44 acres (18 ha)[3]
Campus typeMidsize city[2]
MascotFreddy the Falcon
Accreditation
Websitegrwestcatholic.org

West Catholic High School is a private Catholic college preparatory secondary school in Grand Rapids, Michigan (U.S.). It opened in 1962 and is located within the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids.

Academics

West Catholic has been honored each year since 2008 as one of the top Catholic high schools in the United States by the Cardinal Newman Society.[6] With sixteen Advanced Placement courses taught on campus and Dual Enrollment credits through a partnership with Aquinas College also offered on-site, the Washington Post listed West Catholic as one of the most challenging private high schools in the United States for 2014, 2015, and 2016.[7]

Athletics

Grand Rapids West Catholic High School is a member of Ottawa-Kent Conference Blue Division. However, through the 2007-2008 school year, West Catholic was a member of Grand Rapids City League. West Catholic is also a school of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).

State Championships (MHSAA unless noted):

Student life

The Westword is West Catholic's student newspaper. It is published on a monthly basis by members of the Journalism class each month. The Westword, a staple of student life at West Catholic, won Spartan Awards, the highest honor awarded by the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA). The name, Westword, is a pun on westward, which refers to a direction.[14]

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ a b "Staff Directory". West Catholic High School. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "Search for Private Schools - School Detail for West Catholic High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  3. ^ "Campus & Facilities". West Catholic High School. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  4. ^ NCA-CASI. "NCA-Council on Accreditation and School Improvement". Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
  5. ^ "Membership". Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools (MANS). Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  6. ^ "The Cardinal Newman Society - Past Honor Roll Awardees". The Cardinal Newman Society. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  7. ^ "America's Most Challenging High Schools". Washington Post. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  8. ^ "Team Champions | Boys Cross Country | MHSAA Sports".
  9. ^ "Michigan High School Athletic Association, 2003 Lower Peninsula Cross Country Finals". www.mhsaa.com. Archived from the original on February 25, 2005.
  10. ^ "MITCA Team State - 5/29/2004". Kent City Boys Track and Field Home Page. May 29, 2004. Archived from the original on October 23, 2005.
  11. ^ "MITCA Division III Team State Championships - 5/24/2008". Hy-Tek's Meet Manager. May 25, 2008. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2008.
  12. ^ "MITCA Division III Team State Championships - 5/24/2008". Hy-Tek's Meet Manager. May 25, 2008. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2008.
  13. ^ "Olivet Eagles vs GR West Catholic (Nov 27, 2010)". Michigan High School Athletic Association. November 27, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  14. ^ Frank, Tom (2007, 08, 14). Catholic Schools. The Grand Rapids, p. B2.
  15. ^ "Profile: Marathon man Greg Meyer keeps going and going". MLive. April 20, 2008. He helped the West Catholic Falcons win the state Class B championship in 1970 ...