West Senior High Updates
2025-26 Back to School Newsletter
WSH Theater Department Presents Little Shop of Horrors
The Traverse City West Senior High Music Department presents Little Shop of Horrors. Join us for this classic musical featuring a book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken. This production is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
Performance Dates and Times:
Evening Shows (7:00 PM): March 13, 14, 20, and 21.
Matinee Shows (2:00 PM): March 15 and 22.
Tickets: Tickets range from $15 to $25, plus box office fees. Secure your seats today by visiting tcaps.booktix.com
If your student is interested in testing out of a class, please read this Test Out Newsletter closely.
- Students must complete a test out application
- Application is due 4.17.26
- Test out dates are 5.6.26 @ WSH and 5.9.26 @ CHS
- For more information, visit https://www.tcaps.net/page/test-out-information
Exciting news for our West Senior High community! On February 19th, invitations were officially sent to all 9th, 10th, and 11th-grade students who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher to apply for the National Honor Society (NHS).
NHS is a prestigious global organization built on four core pillars: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character. If you are committed to these values, we strongly encourage you to apply!
Click here for more information about how to apply!
Last week admin met with the freshmen class of 2029 to review several important items. Please review the short slide deck and reach out to your student's assistant principal if you have any questions.
- What is a transcript?
- How do you sign up for an Academic Community at West?
- What important upcoming dates do I need to be aware of?
As we launch in to the second semester, each of our core departments have instructional routines designed to support SAT skill development. For example, our social studies department consistently orients students to graphs and charts relevant to course content - a transferable skill that is called for in the SAT. Here are other options for preparation:
- CollegeBoard Full-length Practice Tests: The full-length practice tests in Bluebook™
- Khan Academy Official Digital SAT Prep: khanacademy.org/digital-sat
- In-Person practice SAT test (juniors only): 3.7.26 @ WSH, 3.14.26 @ CHS. Practice test sign up form
- Further details on spring state mandated testing
We’re excited to share that Mindy Wilkening is heading up our Staff Appreciation Week in May and is already hard at work preparing something special for our amazing staff. If you or your family would like to make a donation or contribute in any way, please contact Mindy at 933-7590 or wilkeninme@tcaps.net. We’re hoping to make this a truly memorable week for our West Senior High staff—thank you for your support!
From Flowers to Funding: How the Red Cross Club Stepped Up for Disaster Relief 🌹
The TC West Red Cross Club raised $100 during a Valentine’s Day Flower Fundraiser!
Every petal sold goes directly to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief, helping families when they need it most. A huge thank you to everyone who bought a flower, sent a note to a friend, or cheered us on.
This newsletter has all the information you need regarding:
- Important dates/special schedules
- Graduation
- Scholarships
- Senior meetings
- Transcripts
- TC West Sports Schedules: https://tcwathletics.com/
- Tickets & sports passes are available on GO FAN https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10300
Academic Eligibility (Spring 2026 eligibility is based on 2025-2026 Semester 1 Grades)
Students who do not pass 66% of their class are ineligible for 60 school days and will miss fall sports (must pass a minimum of 4 of their 6 classes).
Students who passed 66% of their classes but fall under a 2.0 grade point average will be monitored on a grade card for the fall sports season.
Student athletes should be on track with graduation credits.
Ensure you are getting communication!
- Parents should log in and select the 2025-26 MHSAA sports their child plans to participate in in our Final Forms system. If you have not signed up for 2025-26 sports in final forms you are likely missing communications from the coach.
Congrats to Grace McSparron and Kristopher Arnold on earning the March Kiwanis Senior of the Month nominations!
This prestigious recognition highlights your excellence in the classroom, strong leadership skills, and commitment to making a difference through service. Great job!
WSH Academic Communities: Academic Communities are not courses. Rather, they are experiences students opt into that extend their learning in an area of interest.
Stay tuned for more information about Academic Communities at West (Global, The Arts, & STEM). Students who would like to join an Academic Community at WSH for the 2025-26 school year can do so here: Google Form
Incoming freshman can sign up now if they are interested in the STEM community (Sci-Ma-Tech or Sci-Ma-Health). Incoming freshman can sign up for Global or the Arts after they have completed a semester at West Senior High.
Superintendent Monthly Office Hours: Open to the Community
Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Superintendent, Dr. John VanWagoner, will have monthly “office hours”, alternating each month between in person and virtual meetings. In person office hours will be held at Horizon Books, 243 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 on the second floor (Mezzanine level). Virtual office hours will be held via Google Meet and can be accessed here or by calling +1 475-549-0438 and entering PIN: 961 104 679#. All meetings begin at 5:00 pm. The alternating schedule will be as follows:
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 - Google Meet
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 - Horizon Books
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - Google Meet
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 - Horizon Books
Contact
Email: pohlmanha@tcaps.net
Website: https://linktr.ee/tcwsh
Location: 5376 North Long Lake Road, Traverse City, MI, 49685
Phone: 2319337500
Facebook: facebook.com/TCWSH
Twitter: @tcwshtitans