Traverse City West Senior High School
Traverse City West Senior High School (also known as West Senior High, TC West, or simply TCW) is a public, co-educational secondary school located outside Traverse City, Michigan, in neighboring Garfield Township. Along with Traverse City Central High School, TC West is part of the Traverse City Area Public Schools district, and one of six high schools in Traverse City. The school enrolls about 1,500 students each year, making it the largest high school in Michigan north of Kent County.[2][3] The school was established in 1997, and opened in early 1998.[4]
"TC West" redirects here. For the California politician, see T. C. West.Traverse City West Senior High School
West, Traverse City West, TCW, TCWSH, WSH
Public secondary
"Home of the Titans!"
September 2, 1997
January 26, 1998 (building opened)
John VanWagoner
Joe Esper
1,509 (2022–23)[1]
24.86[1]
Forest Green
Metallic Gold
"The Fightin' Titan"
MHSAA Class A; D-1
Saginaw Valley (football)
Big North (non-football)
Titans
Westside Weekly
The Occidentalist
Odyssey
Elementary schools:
Blair
Central Grade
Glenn Loomis
Long Lake
Silver Lake
Westwoods
Willow Hill
Middle school:
Traverse City West
Since 2008, Traverse City West has offered grades 9 through 12. Additionally, students are given the option to dual enroll and attend classes at Northwestern Michigan College.[5] In addition to the dual enrollment program, a wide variety of honors and AP classes are offered.
Academics[edit]
Traverse City West offers 132 classes to its students, including 17 AP courses.[17][18] In addition, students are also given the option to dual-enroll with Northwestern Michigan College.[19] Students can also attend the Career-Tech Center of TBAISD, which offers special technological education for juniors and seniors at West, as those of other districts under TBAISD.[20]
West's student body is divided into three "neighborhoods": Athens, Olympia, and Sparta. These neighborhoods offer smaller learning communities and the chance to form better bonds with their peers and educators.[17]
The demographic breakdown of Traverse City West's 1,509 students enrolled in 2022–23 was:[21]
Additionally, 519 students (34.4%) were eligible for reduced-price or free lunch.
Spirit Rock Controversy[edit]
In 2017, the "spirit rock," a large stone often painted by students to celebrate various victories, suddenly went missing. After an investigation, it was discovered that principal Joe Esper directed vice principal Charles Kolbusz to bury the rock.[44] Kolbusz brought a backhoe to the school after-hours, and buried the rock in a hole he dug on school grounds. Superintendent Paul Soma reported that, upon initial questioning, both conspirators denied any knowledge of the events. Following the investigation, Esper was put on unpaid leave for five days.[44] In 2018, the administration put a new spirit rock in the old one's place.[45]