James Wood High School
Encyclopedia
James Wood High School is located at the northern tip of the Shenandoah Valley
in Winchester
, Virginia
and is a part of the Frederick County
Public School system. It is located at 161 Apple Pie Ridge Road.
James Wood High School was established in 1950 on Amherst Street as the high school for Frederick County, Virginia. It combined the students of five other high schools in the county: Gainesboro, Gore, Stonewall, Stephens City, and Middletown.
James Wood High School owes its name to a famous Revolutionary War colonel, James Wood, who was also governor of Virginia from 1796 to 1799. As Frederick County grew, the need for a larger school became evident. In 1981, the "Rig Campus", on Apple Pie Ridge Road, was opened. Between 1981 and 1993, James Wood High School operated two campuses serving 9th and 10th grade students at the "Amherst Campus" and 11th and 12th grade students at the "Rig Campus", offering busing for students between the two campuses for some classes (band, choir, upper level science classes, etc). In the fall of 1993, with the opening of a new Frederick County high school (Sherando High School
), all grades of James Wood High School were consolidated to the Rig Campus and the Amherst Campus became James Wood Middle School.
Today, James Wood High School offers a wide range of programs formulated on the concept of teaching the total individual. Academics, athletics and activities play integral parts in the development of skills and knowledge. The current principal is Joe Salyer. There are also three assistant principals who divide the student authority between them.
, Sherando High School
and Millbrook High School
. The first is the Winchester City High School, and the last two are Frederick County High Schools. The school colors are blue and gold. Since the opening of the school in 1955, the Colonels have earned four state championships to their name; boys' cross country (1968), football (1970), boys' cross country (2002), and girls' doubles tennis (2008), as well as numerous state runner-up titles and regional championships in various sports. The 2006 season was locally notable as the school's first winning season in 25 years, injecting new energy into a previously lethargic football conference. D.C. United
defender Devon McTavish
graduated from James Wood.
to take advanced math, science, humanities, and research courses.
visited the school in order to conduct a seminar with the school's aspiring film group. Following the visit, he gifted a plaque to the school with the words "Oh, Hi Colonels" engraved upon it.
The following is a history, by school year, of Virginia Honor Band awards earned by Frederick County Bands:
James Wood High School Band Sherando High School Band Millbrook High School Band
(13 Time Recipient) (13 Time Recipient) (4 Time Recipient)
1982-1983 1993-1994 2005-2006
1983-1984 1994-1995 2006-2007
1984-1985 1995-1996 2007-2008
1985-1986 1996-1997 2009-2010
1986-1987 1997-1998
1987-1988 1998-1999
1988-1989 1999-2000
1989-1990 2000-2001
1990-1991 2001-2002
1991-1992 2002-2003
1992-1993 2003-2004
1995-1996 2004-2005
1996-1997 2006-2007
Shenandoah Valley
The Shenandoah Valley is both a geographic valley and cultural region of western Virginia and West Virginia in the United States. The valley is bounded to the east by the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the west by the eastern front of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians , to the north by the Potomac River...
in Winchester
Winchester, Virginia
Winchester is an independent city located in the northwestern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the USA. The city's population was 26,203 according to the 2010 Census...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and is a part of the Frederick County
Frederick County, Virginia
Frederick County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is included in the Winchester, Virginia-West Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was formed in 1743 by the splitting of Orange County. For ten years it was the home of George Washington. As of 2010, the population was...
Public School system. It is located at 161 Apple Pie Ridge Road.
James Wood High School was established in 1950 on Amherst Street as the high school for Frederick County, Virginia. It combined the students of five other high schools in the county: Gainesboro, Gore, Stonewall, Stephens City, and Middletown.
James Wood High School owes its name to a famous Revolutionary War colonel, James Wood, who was also governor of Virginia from 1796 to 1799. As Frederick County grew, the need for a larger school became evident. In 1981, the "Rig Campus", on Apple Pie Ridge Road, was opened. Between 1981 and 1993, James Wood High School operated two campuses serving 9th and 10th grade students at the "Amherst Campus" and 11th and 12th grade students at the "Rig Campus", offering busing for students between the two campuses for some classes (band, choir, upper level science classes, etc). In the fall of 1993, with the opening of a new Frederick County high school (Sherando High School
Sherando High School
Sherando High School is a public secondary school within Frederick County, Virginia, and is part of Frederick County Public Schools. The school is located east of the town of Stephens City.-History:...
), all grades of James Wood High School were consolidated to the Rig Campus and the Amherst Campus became James Wood Middle School.
Today, James Wood High School offers a wide range of programs formulated on the concept of teaching the total individual. Academics, athletics and activities play integral parts in the development of skills and knowledge. The current principal is Joe Salyer. There are also three assistant principals who divide the student authority between them.
Athletics \m/
James Wood plays in the AA Northwestern District. Its mascot is the Kurnil, and traditional rivals are John Handley High SchoolJohn Handley High School
John Handley High School is an endowed public high school located in the city of Winchester, Virginia. It was founded by a grant from Judge John Handley, hence the school mascot, the Judges. Construction on Handley High School started in 1922, and continues to the present day...
, Sherando High School
Sherando High School
Sherando High School is a public secondary school within Frederick County, Virginia, and is part of Frederick County Public Schools. The school is located east of the town of Stephens City.-History:...
and Millbrook High School
Millbrook High School
Millbrook High School is a public high school located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school is part of the Wake County Public School System. It is located near East Millbrook Middle School...
. The first is the Winchester City High School, and the last two are Frederick County High Schools. The school colors are blue and gold. Since the opening of the school in 1955, the Colonels have earned four state championships to their name; boys' cross country (1968), football (1970), boys' cross country (2002), and girls' doubles tennis (2008), as well as numerous state runner-up titles and regional championships in various sports. The 2006 season was locally notable as the school's first winning season in 25 years, injecting new energy into a previously lethargic football conference. D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
defender Devon McTavish
Devon McTavish
Devon McTavish is an American soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
graduated from James Wood.
Academic Opportunities
Certain students at James Wood are also eligible to apply to Mountain Vista Governor's SchoolMountain Vista Governor's School
Mountain Vista Governor's School for Science, Math & Technology is one of Virginia's 18 state-initiated governor's schools, serving primarily 11th and 12th graders. The school is composed of two campuses, one each in Middletown, Virginia, USA and Warrenton, Virginia, USA...
to take advanced math, science, humanities, and research courses.
Visits
In September 2011, Tommy WiseauTommy Wiseau
Tommy Wiseau is a screenwriter, director, producer, executive producer, and actor. He is the founder of the film production company Wiseau Films. Wiseau is best known for his film The Room which has been described as "one of the worst movies ever made" and has gained cult film status...
visited the school in order to conduct a seminar with the school's aspiring film group. Following the visit, he gifted a plaque to the school with the words "Oh, Hi Colonels" engraved upon it.
Band Program
The Virginia Honor Band recognition and award was the result of a project and survey assigned to Vincent Tornello (Charlottesville Rig School) in the spring of 1979 by incoming Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors Association President Daniel Schoemmell (James Wood High School). The survey was in conjunction with the establishment of a state marching band festival. As part of the end result of such a festival, the recognition of bands displaying a comprehensive program was the intent of this prestigious award. Bands achieving superior ratings at the state marching festival and district concert festival were to be recognized with the highest honor that can be bestowed upon bands by the VBODA, Virginia Honor Band.The following is a history, by school year, of Virginia Honor Band awards earned by Frederick County Bands:
James Wood High School Band Sherando High School Band Millbrook High School Band
(13 Time Recipient) (13 Time Recipient) (4 Time Recipient)
1982-1983 1993-1994 2005-2006
1983-1984 1994-1995 2006-2007
1984-1985 1995-1996 2007-2008
1985-1986 1996-1997 2009-2010
1986-1987 1997-1998
1987-1988 1998-1999
1988-1989 1999-2000
1989-1990 2000-2001
1990-1991 2001-2002
1991-1992 2002-2003
1992-1993 2003-2004
1995-1996 2004-2005
1996-1997 2006-2007