Western High School

They have excellent teachers that truly care about the kids they teach!
--Submitted by a parent

Western is located just west of Kokomo. That allows it to bring in a lot of kids. It is a very good, strict school that provides many extra-corricular activities such as Athletics, Clubs, Academic Clubs, and Fine Arts. Fine Arts includeds the spectacular Marching Band.
--Submitted by a student

I loved my time @ WHS & I think for a public school it does extremely well considering funding. If you live in Kokomo don't waste the money sending your kids to private school unless they need specialized attention or have discipline problems. Having recently graduated from college I can honestly say I was much better prepared in college than were my other friends that went to other area schools. Western has some very intelligent science/advanced math teachers as well as some stellar English teachers. A lot of the best teachers are nearing retirement age so be cognizant of that fact. WHS offers some varied classes not offered at other schools such as Japanese. If your kids like to work hard and are disciplined, there are ample opportunities available. But if your kids are slackers expect them to do about as well as they would do anywhere else.

Okay, I'm a teacher at Western, and I read the reviews. Most of that is not true. Teachers here do discipline. The principles on the other hand do not. Western teachers get blamed for this a whole lot. If you review the teachers and never been in the class, then you shouldn't judge the teachers. Also, If you say that your student is not learning anything, usually that's because your son/daughter does not pay attention or study enough. Teachers are not accountable of this school's loss.
--Submitted by a teacher

The band program is now the best in the state. They have won class C this year and been state contenders for multiple years.
--Submitted by a parent

As a parent, I can not stand this school. My children are getting a sorry education compared to other schools. Students are not held accountable for their actions. Problems are not dealt with in a timely manner. This school is a joke. I wish I would have put my children in a different school.
--Submitted by a parent

Western School Corporation is not as great as people make it out to be. There is not as much focus academically as it has been bragged to be. Athletics do not get as much recognition as believed to receive. Fine Arts at Western are almost non-existant. Granted, I graduated with an Academic Honors Diploma, but remember this. I skipped class every other day. I skipped homework assignments and didn't turn them in until the last of the trimester. Yet I still passed with all As and Bs and received an Academic Honors Diploma and a plaque for A- average. Hmm...? Another thing. Please explain the trimester concept, seeing as how Western is the only school I have ever heard of having them. Semesters are so much easier and prepare students more for the college experience. I have decided my kids are going to Cass.

I think that Westen High School is AWESOME! It has a great cirriculum and understanding teachers. The activities that Western provides creats a healthy environment for students. I certianly am proud to be a part of such a wonderful school corperation!
--Submitted by a student

Western has decent academic programs, but is weak in the area of discipline and safety. In my experience, the students are not held accountable to the rules and regulations as outline in published policy. For instance, late homework is accepted in most classes (...at the end of the grading period), even when the policy guidelines state otherwise. Also, when students 'skip' classes, parents are not notified. Passes are liberally handed out for students to go to their lockers or the restroom, and students regularly walk the halls without any fear of being caught because they know that they will not have to face the consequences. I believe strongly that our children need accountibility in high school in order to be successful in college. A lack of adherence to policy by the school administration conditions the students to believe that standards are not really important. Knowledge is useless without character.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is very focused on athletics, as are most schools in the area. There are some opportunities for intelligent students, like academc superbowls, and some AP classes, but many of them are completely overshadowed by basketball or football. Only one type of learning is offered here. If you can't learn by listening and repeating facts, you probably won't earn an A on the ridiculous grading scale WHS has. The English department is the only decent area of this school. The rest is completely mediocre. There is parental involvement is the same few mothers repeatedly. This school may have awards or test scores, but you'd be better off elsewhere.
--Submitted by a former student