Walter Johnson High School
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Walter Johnson High School, (WJHS) is located at 6400 Rockspring Drive in Bethesda, Maryland. As of 2005, the school principal is Dr. Christopher S. Garran and the assistant principals are Ms. Carol Goddard, Ms. Amye Lang, Mr. Edgar Malker and Mr. Christopher Merrill.
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History
Walter Johnson High School was founded in 1956 as part of the Montgomery County Public School System (MCPS). The school is named in honor of the late Washington Senators' baseball pitcher, Walter Johnson, who resided in his Bethesda house just a few short miles away from the school on Old Georgetown Road. WJHS became the second high school in Bethesda, after Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, and a fierce cross-town rivarly was born. The "Battle of Bethesda," as it came to be known, was the hot point of sporting events between the two schools. At its start, WJ was a country school, surrounded by farms and cows. During the tremendous growth of the DC metro area, however, the school's environment changed from countryside to a major metropolitian suburb. Enrollment has increased from just a few hundred to 1980 students in early 2005. Despite numerous renovations, the original building still stands. Aditional wings have been added to the school on either end and classrooms have been modernized. A new student common area and cafeteria have were added to the school in 2003. The "Four Faced Clock," well-known to students, is still in working order and resides in the front hallway above the two golden plaques of the Wildcat and Trojan.
Traditions
Mascots
The school has a history of changing mascots. When it first opened in 1956, its original mascot was the Spartan. In 1963 they changed to cow known as the "Mighty Moo". Two decades later in 1987, neighboring Woodward High School merged into WJHS, bringing their mascot, the Wildcat, with them. WJHS retained their fight song and school colors (green and white).
Fight Song
(To the tune of "Across the Field")
Walter Johnson, now's the time to lead us to our fame! Alma Mater, sing our praises and we'll take this game. RAH! RAH! RAH! Hit 'em hard and hit 'em again. Show 'em now that we're gonna' win. Wildcats you've shown your might, So we'll cheer for the green and white.
Words by Mrs. Jane Grube - PE teacher 1956-1964
Curriculum
APEX
Walter Johnson’s signature program, Advanced Placement Experience, is in its ninth year. The APEX Scholars Program is designed to be a highly competitive four-year course of study. It offers a select group of students a comprehensive curriculum combining accelerated honors and intensive advanced placement level coursework. The course of study provides highly gifted learners with a broad, general background in many academic areas at appropriately challenging levels, to help them better prepare to choose future fields of interest or career paths.
Accomplishments
Walter Johnson High School was rated as one of "America's Best High Schools" by Newsweek magazine and was named the 45th best public high school in the nation for 2004. The Quizbowl Team is also very accomplished.
External links
- Walter Johnson High School website (http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/wjhs/)
- WJHS alumni (http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/wjhs/alumni/index.html)
- WJHS profile (http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/wjhs/profiles/wj.html)
- WJHS history (http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/wjhs/wjhistory.html)