History of Westside High School

1. History of Westside High School

2. Reed Street High School The original Westside High School was located in the western section of the city at the corner of Southwood and Franklin Streets. The site contained 14 acres and the plant consisted of 33 teaching stations including gymnasium and shops. The school was officially opened in September 1951, replacing the senior high department formerly known as Reed Street High School.

3. B. M. Wakefield The enrollment consisted of 316 students in grades 10-12, 13 faculty members, and one full-time principal. Westside High School was one of the all black schools in Anderson. The first principal was B.M. Wakefield. The first graduating class of Westside numbered 85 students. In September 1953, the enrollment decreased by approximately 50 students due to the building of a high school in Anderson District Three. The 1954 graduating class consisted of 70 members.

4. Accreditation In April 1955, a program of expansion began for the school which consisted of a junior high wing for grades 7 and 8, cosmetology laboratory, vocational department for brick masonry, agriculture, industrial arts, and auto mechanics. Additional rooms were also built for commercial education, first aid, band room, field houses, and an athletic field with track. In September 1957, grades 7 and 8 from Reed Street Junior High were transferred to Westside. The faculty was increased by 16 members and the enrollment reached 780 students and one full-time secretary was employed along with additional janitors.

5. Championships • The enrollment continued to grow and in 1960 reached 946 students. It was during this school term that Westside accomplished a feat in athletics that had never before been reached: winning state championships in three sports; football, basketball, and baseball. The Cosmetology Department won the National Award for proficiency three times out of four attempts.

6. Integration In 1951, the original Westside High was built for black high-school students. In 1970, all schools in the United States were integrated. Mr. Mack remembers this time of transition. During this first year under the unified system Westside served 655 students (219 black, 436 white), with a faculty and staff of 39. Video of Mr. Mack

7. The move to Pearman Dairy Road • In the fall of 1971, the present $4.5 million facility was occupied. The facility could ultimately house as many as 1500 students. The enrollment at the new facility jumped to 977 students (297 black, 680 white), and the faculty and staff to 51. All vocational programs were moved to McDuffie High School.

8. AP courses • In 1975, Advanced Placement (AP) courses were added. AP courses are college-level courses taught in high school. At the end of the school year the student takes an AP examination that is scored on a scale of one to five with five being the highest.

9. Mr. Henry Adair came to take over the helm of Westside High School in 1983. Westside High School has only had two principals in its sixty year existence. Many people refer to Mr. Adair as “Daddy Adair” because he takes care of his Westside family. His motto is that “No matter where you go, or what you do, you will always have a friend at Westside High School! It’s a matter of pride!” Mr. Henry Adair

10. Middle Schools • The 1985-86 school year again brought major changes. The junior high schools were reorganized into middle schools with grades 6-8. The ninth grade was moved to the high schools. This increased the enrollment of Westside High School as well as the number of faculty and staff. By the 1987-88 school year, the enrollment was 1260. During this school year the faculty and staff consisted of one principal, two assistant principals, 70 classroom teachers, three guidance counselors, two library media specialists, and 9 support staff. Lakeside Middle School and Southwood Middle School were the feeder schools for Westside.

11. Technology added • A full in-house computer system was implemented during the 1987-88 school year. • The fine arts wing was added which now houses the band/orchestra room and chorus room with practice rooms in both areas in 1992.

12. The Freshmen Academy • In the school year 2003-2004 a Ninth Grade Academy was established. Ninth grade students who are not repeating 9th grade, or who are not taking advanced courses, are in the academy. During the first year, only English and math courses were taught within the academy. At present, English, math, social studies, and science classes are taught in the academy. The ninth grade wing was added in the 2006-07 school year.

13. The goals of the new Academy were to: Ease the transition from Middle to High School Reduce retention rates and monitor academic progress Provide a personalized environment Increase rigor and relevance Reduce discipline infractions The Freshmen Academy

14. Westside Alumni • Shaun Ellis: NFL football player is a former Westside Ram. • Former Boston red Sox player Jim Rice attended Westside as well. • Longtime NWA Pro Wrestlers Randy and Bill Mulky went here as well. • Broadway Star Bailey Hanks attended Westside. • Anderson Mayor Mr. Terence Roberts (Mr. Robert’s brother)

15. Westside Alumni Many teachers at Westside were also once students here. Mr. Roberts, Coach Straup, Mrs. Fischer, Mrs. Huckabaa, Mrs. Mays, and Coach Holland are just a few faculty/staff members that once walked these same halls as students.

16. History in the making!! • New Principal: Mr. Kory Roberts • Principal Kory Roberts was born in Anderson, South Carolina to Linda Roberts, a retired Westside High School English teacher, and the late William Roberts, a retired Westside physical education teacher and coaching legend. • Mr. Roberts graduated from Westside High School in 1987.

17. Mr. Roberts is honored to assume the role of principal in a school in which he considers home and where his mother, Mrs. Linda Roberts, taught for many years and wrote the school alma mater as a high school senior and where the gymnasium bears the name of his father, the late Mr. William Roberts.